In busy work environments where forklifts are present, it’s critical for both operators and pedestrians to prioritize safety at all times. Forklift accidents can cause severe injuries, but with the right awareness and precautions, these incidents are preventable. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself when working near forklifts.
Added Weight
Forklifts are not like automobiles, due to the counterbalance weight needed to carry large loads, they’re about twice as heavy. Because of this weight, when a pedestrian worker gets injured by a forklift vehicle, the injury is often very serious and sometimes fatal. To avoid becoming a victim of a forklift accident, it’s important to be constantly aware of the forklift activities around you both in your immediate work area and in other areas of the workplace you may need to go.
Maneuverability and Movement Hazards
Forklifts don’t maneuver like automobiles. They can turn in a very small radius and because they are rear-wheel driven, their rear end swings out wider than an automobile’s pathway. That’s why it’s important to always give a forklift plenty of room to maneuver and never stand near one when it begins to move. Their extra weight means it can’t stop as fast as a car. Their unexpected movements can crush you between the vehicle and a stationary object so you never want to try squeezing by.
Limited Visibility
Forklifts have limited visibility. The forks and lifting mechanism block the line of sight for the driver, and if there’s a load on the lift, visibility is even more limited. So, it’s up to you, the pedestrian, to watch for and avoid forklifts. Don’t rely on the forklift driver to see you. And if you must move around near an active forklift, be sure to maintain eye contact with the driver at all times, while providing enough space for it to move safely out of your way.
The Dangers of Loaded Forklift Tines
Never stand near or under loaded forklift tines. Forklifts can drop their load or knock over a stack of materials, causing a possible caught/crush injury. Always wait until a forklift is idle and the parking brake is on before entering an active forklift working zone and evaluate work areas around you to ensure that its activities can’t impact you. For example, a forklift in one aisle can push a product off a shelf from that side of the aisle into the adjacent aisle you may be in and crush you.
Navigating Shared Workspaces
Listen carefully and look both ways before you step out from an aisle, around a corner, or across a pathway. Avoid crossing in front of a moving forklift and don’t try to “beat” one to a crossing. Installing mirrors in blind entry areas is a good way to help both pedestrians and forklift drivers keep track of each other. Painting wide, safe pathways on work area floors can help separate pedestrians from forklift travel zones and ensuring adequate lighting means drivers and pedestrians can always see each other.
Staying Alert Means Staying Safe
Distracted or hurrying workers and quick paced forklift driving can lead to an accident or injury, so always stay alert and work at a safe pace. Get periodic training on forklift safety to remember safe work practices and the consequences if you don’t follow them. If there are forklifts present where you work, think about your surroundings and how you can keep yourself safe from a forklift injury.
By staying aware, following safety protocols, and committing to regular training, you can help create a safer environment for everyone. Remember: a few extra moments of caution can prevent a lifetime of consequences.
