Forklift and Pedestrians Should Be Like Oil and Water

Forklift and pedestrian safety should take a lesson from oil and water. Keep apart. Let’s say you put oil in a pan like you’re getting ready to cook on the stovetop. Next, pour water into the pan. The natural reaction between the two is that they separate. They keep their distance and never blend together. A bit of a cooking analogy, but a perfect visual for what facilities need to do for forklift and pedestrian safety. How can the two be separated so an accident doesn’t occur? Let’s discuss this further.

What is Forklift and Pedestrian Safety?

Forklift and pedestrian safety are measures or practices taken in order to keep the forklift and pedestrian in safe distance from each other. This distance allows for proper and safe maneuvering of the forklift without the distraction of a worker or pedestrian nearby. What can be done to ensure proper forklift and pedestrian safety? Here are a few suggestions.

Technology

Forklift safety technology such as the SIERA.AI forklift safety system, applies AI machine learning technology in order to ensure the safe distance between the forklift and a human. Other technologies exist, such as RFID tags. Although it can be a useful technology with other applications, it’s a difficult one to enforce within a facility. That’s because it only works when a person is wearing a tag, vest or some other item that contains the RFID technology. As we all know, regardless of the rules put in place, there will always be a person who forgets to wear the tag or vest and enters into the facility unprotected.

The process for AI machine learning technology begins with the settings. Based on your facility (open, narrow aisles etc), set the distance to when it would be a ‘danger zone’, meaning if a person enters this space, a warning alarm will go off. This can be 4’ 10’ all the way to 33’ in a single direction. The forklift safety system will then warn the forklift operator with a visual warning, which is a flashing symbol of a human along with a sounding alarm. The combination of the two will allow the forklift driver to take action within a safe distance from the human. No wearable technology is needed in order for the system to work.

Other Safety Guidelines

OSHA tells us that “Forklift operators should keep a safe distance from workers on foot and other pedestrians. Warn pedestrians of your approach by horn, hand signal, or warning light.” These are great suggestions and have been used for many years. They have helped save lives, but it is not a full proof system to avoid accidents. Other means have also been implemented to help keep the two separated. For instance, pedestrian designated walkways. These are vital in every facility as it clearly designates where pedestrians should be and forklift should not. However, again we have the issue of those who walk outside of those boundaries.

The Difference Between Now and Then…Tracking

One of the best reasons (besides better safety measures) to invest in a forklift safety system utilizing AI technology is the tracking. With the safety measures of the past, it doesn’t tell you how many times the blue light was used…or how close the person was when the horn went off. With a forklift safety system, you’ll know how many times there was an encounter, which forklifts has the most (or least) encounters and where does it take place. These patterns can help bring further insights into the most frequent areas within the facility so you can make changes to bring the risk factor down.

Learn more about the SIERA.AI forklift safety system and how you can take control of your facility’s safety. Contact us today at sales@siera.ai or call us at (512) 817 0702.