Yellow and green lines

Separating traffic flows is important in the warehouse, just as it is on roads. With lines on the floor, we can create driving routes for forklifts and walkways for pedestrians. Make sure both forklift truck drivers and pedestrians can immediately see which path they should take. This can be achieved using a combination of symbols and different-coloured lines on the floor. Think yellow for train paths, green for footpaths. White lines are for marking storage locations on the floor and red is for locations with fire extinguishers or emergency doors that must always remain accessible.

Warehouses often have areas where many people work intensively at the same time, in an order picking operation for example. Consider marking out separate areas for value-added activities or for preparation of shipments. The people in these zones are mainly focused on their task, not on the traffic around them, so a simple line on the floor is insufficient to separate them from forklifts. You should therefore shield them with physical barriers such as gates, special traffic lights or audible warnings are also available for warehouses or production sites.

Of course, it is never entirely possible to avoid the need for pedestrians to cross a forklift route. To make this safer, create crosswalks in the form of pedestrian crossings. Symbols on the floor can be used to encourage forklift drivers to lower their speed.



The doorway from one hall to another can create a bottleneck. These are usually very busy locations, while views of traffic on the other side of the wall are often limited. It is advisable to make a door for pedestrians, separate to the opening for forklift traffic. Ideally, it should not be too close to the forklift opening, as pedestrians may be tempted to choose the easiest way.Use a fence to lead them to the door. Gates can also be useful to prevent people from entering the driveway directly when entering the warehouse.

The area immediately surrounding a forklift is one with a high risk of accidents. We can also mark out this safety zone – not with lines stuck on the floor but with visual aids. Take the Mitsubishi Safety Zone System, for instance. This consists of LED lamps that project clear red lines on the floor around the truck. These mark the minimum distance from the truck that employees must maintain in order to work safely.
Finally, make clear agreements about the use of traffic routes, walkways, crosswalks and entrances. Don't forget to make these agreements known to occasional visitors to the warehouse, like office workers, maintenance engineers or guests from outside. And last but not least, set a good example yourself. If managers don’t use the footpaths, why would other employees?

Have a question about how to separate pedestrians from forklifts or Mitsubishi’s Safety Zone System? Contact us on 1300 000 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au. Information for this article was sourced from www.forkliftbriefing.com

 

Here are three of the more prominent hazards of forklift usage:

 

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A forklift can be one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment in the workplace.  Injuries occur when operating forklifts and when employees are interacting with them. About one quarter of forklift injuries are from getting on and off the forklift! Employers have safe work procedures, which employees must follow! These tips may protect your own and others’ safety.

Training and Supervision: A person who operates a forklift must hold a high-risk work forklift licence.

Traffic Management 

• Most forklift incidents involve pedestrians
• Make sure there are clear, separate pathways for pedestrians and forklifts
• High visibility work wear should be worn if walking outside of designated walkways 
• Businesses should minimise blind spots and highlight intersections and restricted areas
• If there is a right-of-way, make sure that everyone is aware of it
• Be aware of other vehicles and people and give clear indications of your intentions to others
• Look in the direction of travel and keep a clear view of the way ahead

Pre-start Safety Check: Before you operate a forklift, both the forklift and any attachments should be checked. Completing pre-start checks are mandatory and should be done at the beginning of each shift and every time you begin operating a different forklift

Forklift Safety Devices

• Seatbelts and other restraint systems should be used
• Sounding the horn when entering and exiting areas
• All lighting is working – front, brake and flashing warning lights
• Perimeter lighting – Pre warning for pedestrians

Operating a Forklift

• Lower the fork arms to ground level; ensure the parking brake is set, and the controls are in neutral when leaving the forklift
• Maintain three points of contact (hands and feet) when you get on and off
• Only use the forklift for its intended purpose only
• Obey speed limits and warning signs. Drive at speeds suitable to the road surfaces and traffic conditions
• Wear safety glasses or goggles and work/ park in well-lit areas
• Be aware of fumes and possible carbon monoxide poisoning when operating LPG-powered forklifts indoors
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when slinging a load under the forks and using lifting straps
• Avoid distracting behaviour - No mobile phone use or eating when operating a forklift

What can cause a forklift to tip over?

• Excessive speed – especially while turning
• Heavy braking
• Overload or moving with elevated mast and load
• Traveling down ramps with load forward and turning sideways on ramps
• Smooth, slippery, and sloping surfaces
• Forks striking and obstruction
• Tight turns
• Shifting or off-centre loads

MLA Holdings Pty Ltd can provide you with expert advice on forklift safety, as well as providing safety devices to enhance your forklift safety. Contact us today. Information from this article was sourced from www.kellyservices.com.au.

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Pedestrian operated forklifts (POFs) differ from forklift trucks because they are not intended to be controlled by an operator riding on the vehicle. While similar safe operating and maintenance procedures apply to all pes of forklifts, the following control measures relate specifically to POFs.

 

A licence/certificate is not required to operate POFs.

How to operate POFs safely

• Only trained operators may operate a POF.
  
• Make pre-operational and post-operational safetychecks.
• Ensure the POF is suitable for the grades intendedto be travelled.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment,such as high visibility vest and steel cappedfootwear.
• Do not operate a POF if hands or footwear are greasy.
• Check the work area for damaged flooring, overhead obstructions, ramps and docks. Do not work tooclose to the edges of ramps or docks.
• When travelling in reverse take care not to bump into objects, run over loose objects or trip overobjects. Do not use a POF in an unauthorised area or explosive atmospheres.
• Keep arms, hands, legs and feet away from the lifting mechanism and wheels.
• Sound the horn when approaching intersecting aisles or blind corners.
• When operating a POF on grades, ramps or inclines, face the load uphill, do not make turns. If it isnecessary to park the POF on an incline, make sure the wheels are securely chocked.
• Do not ride on the POF or allow another person to ride on it.
• Do not exceed the safe lift limit of the POF when handling a load. These limits are specified on the data plate.
• The forklift arm blades (tynes) should be a sufficient length to support at least 75% of the load (seefigure below).
• The load should be stable and evenly distributed on both fork arms prior to lifting and when travelling.Fork arms should be sufficient distance apart to ensure the stability of the load.
• When parking:
  
  • use the brake
  • lower forks to the ground
  • do not leave key in the ignition if unattended.
   

MLA Holdings Pty Ltd can provide you with expert advice on how to operate Pedestrian Operated Forklifts safely, as well as providing a wide range of high quality POF’s,Contact us today. Information from this article was sourced from www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

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