Specific OSHA requirements need to be met so as to utilize any kind of lift truck. Many of the businesses utilizing forklifts would provide basic training to the other office and sales staff in combination with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Even if OSHA doesn't particularly deal with forklift pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers have to take measures in order to protect employees from some risks, like for example pedestrians exposed to moving lift trucks.
Pedestrian safety is a big problem which has to be addressed and not disregarded. Based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH; approximately 20% of all forklift mishaps consist of a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means about 19,000 individuals each year.
So as to keep everyone safe, there are several basic steps which must be taken into account. This is regardless to how frequently or briefly people are around industrial trucks during their work day. Amongst the main factors is that lift truck pedestrian mishaps usually happen in cases where the pedestrian is not aware 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 forklifts.
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. One of the most common problems is when pedestrians did not see the forklift. A lot operations have various degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians must be aware of. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be really careful of the different kinds of power sources. Like for example, electric trucks may be a lot quieter than IC engines that are really loud.
Coming in too close proximity of the machinery is another common issue for pedestrians. In order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, common sense tells us that the pedestrian needs to be in close proximity to be struck. For a forklift which is running, a four foot safety zone is recommended so as to make a safe perimeter for everyone. This really helps to deal with risks such as the unit driving accidentally over a pedestrian's foot.
To make certain that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch, the implementation and following of strict safety protocol is key.