Forklifts are an essential part of many warehouses and industrial facilities. However, they can also be dangerous if not used properly. To ensure the safety of everyone in the workplace, it is important to invest in upfront training to prepare operators. This training should include information on how to operate the forklift safely and how to avoid accidents.

In addition to training, it is important to optimize processes to ensure standard practices. This includes using overhead and rear-view mirrors on forklifts, ensuring alarms and flashing signals are in working order on all warehouse forklifts, marking pedestrian walkways in warehouse locations with forklift traffic, restricting specific areas to forklift traffic only, adding handrails to increase pedestrian safety around forklifts, and limiting overhead door access to forklifts and use man doors for pedestrians.

Finally, leveraging connected technology can improve and reinforce operator behavior. Adding different elements to the forklift, such as blue safety lights attached to the front and rear of the machine, side zone lights, safety sensors and mirrors, can draw pedestrians’ attention to a forklift’s presence in the area. The use of convex mirrors at intersections can improve pedestrian safety by providing the pedestrians with better chances of seeing the forklifts in operation.

By following these tips and investing in upfront training, you can create a culture of safety around your forklift operation.

There are several ways to improve safety culture in forklift operation. Here are some tips that can help you achieve a culture of safety:

1. Maintain employee training records, ensuring all forklift operators receive initial and refresher training1.
2. Promote safety tips with signage, stickers, company newsletter, etc.1
3. Offer employee recognition – and compensation – for an excellent safety record1.
4. Create a forum for employee suggestions and implement ideas1.
5. Invest in a forklift proximity warning system which uses sensors to detect people or other forklifts in the vicinity and alert the operator with audiovisual alerts2.
6. Managers and supervisors should evaluate their forklift operators in a timely manner to ensure that their skills and knowledge are up-to-date3.
7. Keep pedestrians and forklifts separated when possible4.
8. Use different aisles for pedestrian passageways and material flow4.
9. Use guards and barriers to assure that pedestrians and material handling equipment do not come into contact with each other4.

To improve operator consciousness in forklift operation, here are some tips that can help:

1. Ensure a safe entrance and exit1.
2. Stretch throughout the day1.
3. Adjust the seat1.
4. Reduce vibrations1.
5. Provide task rotations1.
6. Repair problematic areas in the worksite1.
7. Remind operators to always use hand signals during operation as they increase workplace safety2.
8. Ensure that operators are educated in the importance of maintaining three points of contact when entering and exiting the forklift truck3.

Here are some tips that can help improve pedestrian consciousness in forklift areas:

1. Use overhead and rear-view mirrors on forklifts1.
2. Ensure alarms and flashing signals are in working order on all warehouse forklifts1.
3. Mark pedestrian walkways in warehouse locations with forklift traffic1.
4. Restrict specific areas to forklift traffic only1.
5. Add handrails to increase pedestrian safety around forklifts1.
6. Limit overhead door access to forklifts and use man doors for pedestrians1.
7. Adding different elements to the forklift, such as blue safety lights attached to the front and rear of the machine, side zone lights, safety sensors and mirrors, can draw pedestrians’ attention to a forklift’s presence in the area2.
8. The use of convex mirrors at intersections can improve pedestrian safety by providing the pedestrians with better chances of seeing the forklifts in operation3.