Specific OSHA requirements have to be met in order to utilize any type of lift truck. Many of the companies using forklifts would offer basic training to the other sales and office employees in addition to visitors and other non operators who might venture into the distribution areas. Though OSHA doesn't specifically deal with lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers should take measures in order to protect employees from certain dangers, like pedestrians exposed to moving lift trucks.
A huge issue which will need to be addressed is pedestrian safety. Based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH; about 20% of all forklift mishaps include a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means around 19,000 individuals on an annual basis.
Nevertheless frequently or briefly people are around industrial trucks in their work day, there are some basic steps that must be taken so as to keep everyone safe. One of the major factors is that lift truck pedestrian mishaps usually occur in situations where the pedestrian is not aware of safety precautions. Issues also happen more frequently when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
There are several common situations to look out for in order to prevent placing yourself at possible risk from being struck by a forklift. Pedestrians not seeing the lift truck is a common problem that has to be addressed. Many operations have varying degrees of blind corners or intersections that pedestrians must know. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be very careful of the various kinds of power sources. For example, electric trucks can be a lot quieter than IC engines which are really loud.
The other main problems are when pedestrians come in too close proximity of the machinery. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, the pedestrian needs to be in close enough proximity to be struck. For a lift truck that is running, a four foot safety zone is recommended in order to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This really helps to address risks such as the unit driving accidentally over a pedestrian's foot.
Implementing and following strict safety protocol helps to make sure that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch.