Specific OSHA requirements need to be met so as to utilize any type of forklift. A lot of the companies using lift trucks will offer basic training to the other sales and office staff in combination with visitors and other non operators who might venture into the distribution areas. Though OSHA doesn't particularly deal with lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers should take measures so as to protect employees from certain risks, like pedestrians exposed to moving lift trucks.
Pedestrian safety is a huge issue that has to be addressed and not disregarded. Based on the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; around 20% of all forklift accidents consist of a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means around 19,000 people on an annual basis.
So as to keep everybody safe, there are some basic steps that must be taken into consideration. This is regardless to how frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks during their work day. Among the major considerations is that forklift pedestrian mishaps usually happen in cases where the pedestrian is ignorant of safety precautions. Problems also happen more often when the pedestrian ends up complacent because she or he has become used to frequent interaction with lift trucks.
So as to avoid putting yourself at possible risk of being struck by a lift truck, there are some common situations to look out for. Among the most common problems is when pedestrians did not see the lift truck. Numerous operations have different degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians must be aware of. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the forklift. Be very careful of the different types of power sources. For example, electric trucks can be much quieter than internal combustion engines which are super loud.
The other main problems are when pedestrians come in too near the equipment. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, the pedestrian has to be in close enough proximity to be struck. For a forklift that is running, a four foot safety zone is recommended in order to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This helps to deal with risks like for example the unit accidentally driving over a pedestrian's foot.
Implementing and following strict safety protocol helps to make sure that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount.