Forklift and pedestrian safety

Forklift and

Pedestrian

SafetyOscar AnellEH & Safety ManagerElite Industrial Safety Consultant & Training

Session Objectives Identify hazards of

working around forklifts Understand factors

that contribute to accidents

Comprehend pedestrian safety requirements

Take precautions to prevent accidents

Forklift & Pedestrian accident facts

Forklifts are heavy and dangerous

Thousands are injured and some are killed

Many of injured are pedestrians

Pedestrian injures can be disabling or fatal

Hazards of Working around forklifts

Struck by forklift Crushed between

forklift and structure

Struck by falling objects

Feet run over by forklift

Fall from forklift

Factors that contribute to accidents

Visibility problems Workers getting too

close to forklifts Risk-taking Operators not

following rules Pedestrian not

paying attention Lack of cooperation

When and Where the Danger is Greatest

Working with or close to forklifts

Crossing travel lanes Corners and blind

intersections Moving from one work

area to another Beginning and end of

shifts Break times

When and Where the Danger is GreatestDocks area K-rooms

When and Where the Danger is Greatest

Crossing the curtains Crossing doors

When and Where the Danger is Greatest

All the aisles Ramps

When and Where the Danger is Greatest

Production area Kitchen area

When and Where the Danger is Greatest

Between both buildings

Wood pallets area

Safety requirements for forklift operators

Obey speed limits Look in the directions

of travel Keep alert to

pedestrian in the area

Yield right-of-way to pedestrian

Slow and sound horn at intersections

Safety requirements for forklift operators

Give warnings when workers might not be aware of forklift

Avoid getting too close to pedestrian

Slow down when making turns

Stop and look behind before going into reverse

Set brake and take keys when parking

Safety practices for pedestrians Keep alert for forklift

activity Stay at a safe

distance Listen for horns, back

up alarms and other warnings

Look both ways before crossing aisles or curtains

Safety practices for pedestrians Assume forklift

operators don’t see you

Make eye contact Be extra careful in

noisy work areas Don’t try to beat

forklifts

Safety practices for pedestrians

Never ride on the forks

Don’t walk or stand under raised forks

Don’t stand where you could be crushed

Don’t distract the forklift operators

Common sense Common sense tell us that in order for a

pedestrian to be injured by a forklift, that pedestrian must be in close enough proximity to be struck.

For a forklift that is running, a four feet safety zone is recommended.

The actual “ kill zone” of the forklift may be much longer than four feet, however.

Accident prevention: Your choice

Before crossing the curtains or doors

Which most effectively warns you of an approaching forklift

If you get too close to a forklift, you could be:

Look both ways

Horn, strobe lights, back up alarms

Struck by the forklift or falling objects

Conclusion At the end of the

day, it really doesn't matter who’s at fault. What matter is..at the end of the day we all get to go home.