All they have to remember is: stay out of the red zone. You don’t have to worry about pedestrians underestimating how much space they need to put between themselves and the lift truck. The illuminated area clearly shows the danger zone for pedestrians, whether the forklift is stopped or in motion. Red zone safety lights project a red “no-go” area around the forklift. A Red Zone Forklift Safety Light Establishes a No-Go Zone That’s why safety and cost-conscious managers use red and blue LED safety lights to prevent collisions between pedestrians and forklifts. You’ve sent emails and put up safety signs, but pedestrians fail to maintain a safe distance. How often do you see someone walking through your workplace looking at their smartphone or wearing earbuds - oblivious to what’s going on around them? Probably way too often. Forklift Safety Lights Demonstrate a Commitment to Safety Safety lights not only make your workplace safer, they are also cheap “insurance” against expensive fines. An employer whose workplace presents this hazard and has not taken feasible steps to mitigate this hazard may be in violation of the General Duty Clause.Īs of 2021, the minimum OSHA fine is $975 per violation.
B56.1-2009 shows that industry recognizes this hazard and that equipping trucks with sound-producing and visual devices are feasible means to abate this hazard.
Forklift safety free#
§ 654 (a)(1), also known as the General Duty Clause, to furnish employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or a likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, where employees are exposed to hazards, including but not limited to, struck by, caught-in-between and crushing by the forklift. While §1910.178 standard does not specifically require flashing lights or back-up beepers, employers have a duty under the OSH Act, 29 U.S.C. Does OSHA Require Blue, Red or Flashing Forklift Safety Lights?Īs mentioned above, blue spotlights, red side lights and flashing strobe lights are not required by OSHA’s powered industrial truck standard (§1910.178) however, OSHA’s website states: OSHA's standard states: where appropriate to the worksite, equip trucks with additional sound-producing or visual (such as lights or blinkers) devices. However, if the forklift operates in an area with a lot of pedestrian or vehicle traffic, you'll want to ensure your forklift has all the bells and whistles.and lights. If you have a forklift that came from the factory without brake/tail lights, OSHA does not require you to pay for a retrofit. Forklift lights enhance safety by making the truck more noticeable to pedestrians - one in five ( 20 percent) of forklift incidents involve pedestrians.įorklift Tail/Brake Lights: Most forklifts come with brake/tail lights.Headlights illuminate work areas and help forklift operators be more productive - operators who are 60+ need 3x as much light to see the same thing as a 20-year-old.Here's a round-up of the forklift lights OSHA requires:įorklift Headlights: OSHA regulation 1910.178(h)(2) states: when general lighting is less than 2 lumens per square foot, auxiliary light shall be provided on the truck.īasically, any operation that uses forklifts outdoors or at night should have headlights, and indoor operations with heavy pedestrian or vehicle traffic should strongly consider adding them. Here’s what operations managers and business owners need to know:įorklift Safety Lights and OSHA Compliance
As of January 2021, the minimum OSHA fine is $975 per violation. Keeping track of all the rules and regulations may seem like a hassle, but it pays to stay informed. The powered industrial truck standard doesn’t mention blue, red, or flashing lights BUT, they may be required under OSHA’s General Duty Clause. Headlights, but only if the light in the work environment is less than 2 lumens per square foot.Brake/tail lights (if your forklift came equipped with them).OSHA's powered industrial truck standard (§1910.178) only requires two types of forklift lights: What forklift safety lights are required by OSHA? Just headlights and taillights? What about blue spotlights or red zone LED lights? Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer.
0 kommentar(er)
