Specific OSHA requirements have to be met so as to operate any kind of forklift. Many of the businesses utilizing lift trucks would offer basic training to the other sales and office staff in combination with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Though OSHA doesn't specifically deal with forklift pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers have to take measures so as to protect employees from certain risks, such as pedestrians exposed to moving lift trucks.
A huge issue that will have to be addressed is pedestrian safety. According to the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; about 20% of all forklift accidents include a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means around 19,000 people each year.
In order to keep everyone safe, there are some basic steps that should be taken into account. This is regardless to how frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks in their work day. Among the main factors is that forklift pedestrian accidents often occur in situations where the pedestrian is ignorant of safety precautions. Issues also occur more often when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
So as to avoid putting yourself at potential 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. Many operations have different degrees of intersections or blind corners that pedestrians need to know. At times pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be really careful of the various types of power sources. For instance, electric trucks may be a lot quieter compared to IC engines which are super loud.
Coming in too close proximity of the equipment is another common concern for pedestrians. In order for a pedestrian to be injured by a forklift, common sense tells us that the pedestrian has to be in close proximity to be struck. For a forklift that is running, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everyone. This really helps to address risks like for example the model accidentally driving over a pedestrian's foot.
To make sure that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount, the implementation and following of strict safety protocol is key.