Pedestrians: Don’t Just Rely on the Forklift Driver to Keep You Safe

Here’s a great forklift safety toolbox talk for pedestrians. If you have workers and other people who come in contact with forklifts, this is a great forklift safety toolbox talk just for them. Pedestrians need to be armed with information so they know what to expect in a facility and the dangers of being close to or working next to forklifts. You are more than welcome to use this forklift safety toolbox talk for your next group meeting.

What is a Forklift Safety Toolbox Talk?

A forklift safety toolbox talk takes a single subject and discusses in detail the various safety precautions when working, walking or being near a forklift. This topic is special as it arms the pedestrians with what to expect when you are in the same vicinity as a forklift truck, and how to stay safe. The goal is to avoid pedestrians from begin injured and reduce any encounters in order to avoid a potential forklift accident.

Introduction for the Toolbox Talk

Mobile equipment including forklift trucks are vital for the material handling industry. Not only are they essential for the ‘put away’ of goods, but they are also used to fulfill customer orders. With that said, forklift drivers are given a quota each day to ensure customer orders are fulfilled on time so revenue can be realized by the company. This means forklifts are in constant motion and the forklift drivers are performing multiple tasks at the same time: driving, observing their surroundings, lifting goods, putting in or taking goods out of racks as well as putting in or taking goods out of a trailer.

This is where the challenge comes in:  If the forklift driver is performing their task, how can they be watching out for you? They can’t.

Common Pedestrian Hazards

If you are a pedestrian working in a facility, there are common hazards that you are confronted with each day. Pedestrians can be struck by a forklift, crushed by a forklift, or get injured or killed by a load falling off the forklift. Now that you know the common hazards, let’s take a look at what the driver is confronted with.

Forklift Driver Challenges

Forklifts are nothing like a car, motorcycle or even a bike. Forklifts are built to perform a particular need within a manufacturing, warehouse or distribution center. They are built to move very heavy goods which means their distribution of weight is created so the forklift doesn’t tip over. Let’s take a look at a few challenges:

1. Can’t See! That’s right. When a load is being carried by the forklift, the driver may not see over the load. The driver’s line of sight can be obstructed not just directly in front, but off to the sides as well. This means the driver will need to drive in reverse.
   • Question: Identify the areas around the forklift that are not visible by the driver.
   • Now identify the areas where the driver can see.
   • What does that mean for the pedestrian?
2. Stop! Because of the weight distribution of a forklift with and without a load can be challenging, forklifts can’t stop quickly.
   • What will happen if the forklift is jarred with a load?
   • What will happen if the forklift is jarred without a load?
   • What does this mean for the pedestrian?
3. Turning Too Fast! Forklifts are not made for curvy roads, nor are they good on uneven floors or gravel. If a forklift driver turns too fast, the forklift truck can easily tip over and crush the pedestrian or even themselves.
   • What will happen if you are near a forklift coming out of an aisle and turns too fast?
   • What if the driver is in reverse with a load?
   • What precautions should a pedestrian take?

Safety on the Forklift with the S3 Pedestrian Detection System

Technology does exist to help identify pedestrians for the forklift driver. The S3 PDS is designed to be the ‘eyes’ for the forklift driver. It will provide audio and visual warnings when a pedestrian is within a particular amount of feet. The forklift driver can immediately take action so the forklift and pedestrian don’t meet.

Safety for the Pedestrian

Here are the Top 5 ways to keep yourself safe around forklifts.

1. Make eye contact and let the driver know you’re there by waving your hands.
2. Keep a distance from the forklift. Don’t walk next to it if moving or not.
3. Always keep the driver alert when you need to pass it in front or back.
4. Intersections or the end of an aisle are most dangerous. Be cautious and keep yourself visible.
5. If you see a raised load, stay away.

In Summary…

Having a combination in your forklift safety toolbox talk, a forklift safety system such as the S3 PDS and pedestrians understand the safety precautions can keep injuries down to a minimum. It takes both the pedestrian and forklift driver to share in the responsibility of safety. When done, both can be productive and work in the same environment. Contact us today at sales@siera.ai to begin your S3 PDS journey.