How can you reduce the risk of forklift accidents?
Operating forklifts is part and parcel of the daily work of many companies. Whether loading or unloading goods, maneuvering this vehicle entails many hazards. In the US alone, there are almost 100,000 work-related accidents involving forklifts every year. Therefore, it is crucial that managers implement strict safety measures to limit these accidents. Here are some tips to prevent forklift accidents in your factory or warehouse.
Hazards
What hazards are associated with using forklifts?
While it may seem easy, there are various hazards with driving a forklift. These hazards can affect the driver, goods, and other personnel. The most common hazards are:
- The driver being ejected from the driver's seat during a collision.
- The driver or bystanders being crushed if the forklift overturns.
- The driver or bystanders suffering trauma or injury due to falling loads or collisions.
Forklift accidents can also cause certain illnesses. These are usually related to poor vehicle maintenance. These illnesses may include back pain, poisoning, hearing problems caused by vehicle noise, etc.
Equipment used to reduce forklift accidents
Safety solutions
To limit the hazards associated with forklifts, wearing personal protective equipment is crucial. Helmets, safety shoes, safety goggles, and overalls are all essential personal protective equipment. It is also necessary to use collective protective equipment to secure work areas and eliminate potential hazards. Whatever your industry, Boplan has the right forklift collision protection solution for you.
Floor marking tape
Floor marking tape is an essential component of collective safety equipment for limiting accidents. Among other things, floor marking tape demarcates traffic routes in order to help pedestrians to find their way more easily. Floor marking tape is also used to prevent collisions between forklifts and pedestrians. Moreover, floor marking tape prevents objects from colliding with one another. As such, floor marking tape is an essential piece of equipment for preventing fatal forklift accidents.
Collision barrier
Boplan offers collision barriers to help you limit forklift accidents. Unsurprisingly, these barriers are designed to prevent collisions with stationary machines and racks. Collision barriers protect your racks from being struck and jolted by forklifts. This ensures that your rack remains stable and prevents potentially serious accidents. Collision barriers are easy to install near stationary machines within the travel path of forklifts. These barriers thus help you prevent collisions and minimize the hazards associated with forklifts.
Safety vests
It is important that everyone in your warehouse, depot, or factory be clearly visible. This will prevent accidents between pedestrians and forklifts. For example, you can use high-vis vests to make sure that everyone is visible. It is best to offer high-vis vests to pedestrians at the entrance, and vehicle operators should also wear them. For forklifts, you can combine high-vis vests with a high-vis light to increase visibility.
Forklift accidents
Transport your materials safely
Keeping your equipment in perfect condition is the best way to minimize the risk of forklift accidents. Once the vehicle has been checked and loaded, the operator can start transporting the goods. However, this step is also not without hazards. There are a number of forklift safety rules that must be followed.
Even the slightest unevenness in the load or floor can cause the forklift to tip over. As such, we recommend raising the forks 4" to 6" above the ground. It is also safer to tip loads backward slightly. The following tips will help you maximize safety and prevent forklift accidents when transporting goods.
Never place loads on the overhead guard above the operator's seat.
Keep your arms and legs inside the forklift cabin.
Drive in reverse when the load obstructs your vision.
Never move or slide the load from inside the vehicle.
Keep the load stable while driving.
Always drive at a suitable speed for the conditions.
In addition to the aforementioned personal protective equipment, these tips will help you limit forklift accidents.
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Instructions to follow for the work environment
It is not enough to use safety equipment and transport goods properly. If you want to reduce the number of forklift accidents, you must also follow specific instructions for the work environment.
Traffic plan
All companies must prepare a traffic plan for their forklifts. The traffic plan should take into account the building layout and follow applicable traffic regulations. This helps forklift drivers observe the right of way, roundabouts, and signs. For convenience, use floor marking tape to separate the flow of vehicles, carts, and pedestrians. Also make sure that everyone has access to the instructions in order to ensure optimal safety.
Visual indicators
Traffic signs indicate the hazards associated with forklifts. You can also provide specific instructions for forklift drivers as well as pedestrians.
Safety equipment
Suitable safety equipment should be installed in the area where the forklift is to be used. For example, a device that absorbs toxic gas is required to prevent poisoning. This is even more important if the forklift is being operated in a closed, unventilated area.
We also recommend ensuring that the area has sufficient lighting so that the driver can see everything and drive safely. Also remember to equip each forklift with its own fire extinguisher in addition to the fire extinguishers in the work area. These fire extinguishers must be placed in a visible, easily accessible area.
Finally, it is essential to equip each forklift with front and rear lights in order to improve visibility. By following each of these tips, you can minimize the risk of a forklift accident.