Three key factors can improve pedestrian safety in your warehouse. The first is reducing worker fatigue. OSHA research shows that forklift operators who work 12-hour shifts have a 37% greater chance of injury than operators who work shorter shifts. Consider reducing shift length or increasing the number of breaks to ensure your operators do not succumb to the dangers of fatigue.
The second factor is safety training. OSHA estimates regular, thorough safety training could eliminate 70% of forklift accidents. In fact, OSHA requires safety training for all forklift operators. Unfortunately, this requirement is not always observed by individual facilities. This lax attitude puts your entire facility at risk of steep fines or, worse, a fatal accident.
While there is no substitute for proper forklift safety training, it is worth reminding your operators of OSHA requirements and best practices when operating around pedestrian traffic.
In addition to basic safety requirements, there are a few best practices that forklift operators, pedestrians, and safety managers can follow to help ensure pedestrian safety.
Safety training is foundational and cannot be replaced by any piece of equipment. However, when used appropriately, safety products can reinforce best practices and improve pedestrian safety. Below are four safety products that benefit virtually every facility.
Warning signs are invaluable tools for alerting both forklift operators and pedestrians to potential hazards. Post these signs at intersections to alert pedestrians to forklift crossings and operators to pedestrian crossings. This simple act promotes awareness and dramatically reduces the likelihood of a collision.
Floor tape is a cost-effective and simple means of separating pedestrian zones from forklift work areas. Use this high-visibility tape to mark off pedestrian walkways throughout your facility. This will tell pedestrians where it is safe to walk and remind forklift operators where they must avoid. OSHA requires pedestrian walkways to be at least two feet wide, while the ADA requires them to be 32 inches wide.
Lights are often overlooked but are highly beneficial additions to any forklift. Blue spotlights shine on the floor ahead of a forklift, making its direction of travel known even before the forklift is visible. Red warning zone lights establish a safe working parameter around the forklift itself. This alerts pedestrians that stepping inside the red light is stepping into a danger zone. Blue and red lights add a visual cue to forklift movement, making it easier for pedestrians to know when travel is safe.
Backup alarms are an auditory cue that the forklift is moving in reverse. These quickly alert pedestrians who may not be expecting a forklift to back up. Proximity sensors, also known as forklift pedestrian detection systems, take pedestrian safety to the next level. While most pedestrian safety devices focus on warning pedestrians, proximity sensors, like the Toyota SEnS, actively alert forklift operators to the presence of pedestrians in the area. These are some of the most effective safety products because the operator has the greatest ability to prevent a forklift pedestrian collision.
Whether you're in the market for top-of-the-line forklift safety training or looking to bolster your program with the best safety products, Southern States Toyotalift is here to help. Our solutions team has the expertise you need to train your staff for optimal forklift safety and outfit your facility with the equipment to keep it safe. To learn more about our forklift training programs or to schedule one for your team, contact us online or visit one of our locations throughout Georgia and Florida.
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Further Reading
New Toyota High-Tech Forklift Safety Accessories
Going the Distance for Warehouse Safety
7 Must-Have Forklift Safety Accessories