What role do safety barriers play in reducing forklift accidents
Prevention is the key
How to keep workplaces safe and accountable for forklift accidents
Safety barriers within the workplace can be useful in reducing the likelihood of a workplace accident. Safety barriers are structures that are designed to prevent entry into a potentially dangerous area, or exclusive zones that are potentially high-risk. The purpose of safety barriers is to mitigate risks and create safe work environments for all employees.
Forklifts, which are also known as industrial lift trucks are used to lift, stack and transfer loads in many workplaces across various types of industries. However, every year they continue to cause workplace deaths and injuries resulting in substantial financial and human costs for workers, industry and the community.
These forklift accidents often include overturned forklifts and collisions with pedestrians, pallets, or other equipment. Importantly, these forklift accidents can also cause substantial damage to equipment, therefore it is essential that forklift operators be trained to operate forklifts safely.
The three main reasons workers are killed or seriously injured in forklift incidents:
- hit or crushed by a forklift
- hit or crushed by a load that the forklift is moving and
- crushed in a forklift tip-over.
Reducing the risks by using forklift safety barriers
While operators can receive retraining and faulty equipment can be repaired with speed limitations implemented to mitigate the risk of accidents, there are other serious incidents that have serious consequences and could not only harm workers, but cause serious damage to the vehicle, stock, and the property.
The risk related to these common causes of serious incidents and accidents could be mitigated and controlled using safety barriers, so pedestrians are separated and out of harm’s way:
- Tipping of a pallet or damaging racking – At very high levels, picking up and setting down pallets can be very tricky. The harder it is for the operator to see, the higher the chance the pallets will get knocked off, the tip of the tines will damage the product or damage the racking.
- Toppling over – An uneven surface or an uneven load that is too heavy can cause a forklift to topple over. Potholes, drains, and steep slopes can also cause the vehicle to topple over so make sure to check the load and the surface to prevent the vehicle from toppling over.
- Driving the vehicle with an elevated load – Any load higher than the centre of gravity will be unstable and unbalanced and will tend to pull down whatever it is attached to. This is very common with forklifts, thus regulations and common sense encourage drivers to carry loads, especially heavy ones, as near to the ground as possible, approximately 10 centimetres from the floor.
- Insufficient marking – Highly visible and sufficient floor marking helps to avoid accidents. Any clear markings and visible warning signs are a must for forklift operators, pedestrians, and other warehouse staff. Highly visible markings are a must for the operators to follow.
- Improper turning – Turning a corner at high speeds can cause the forklift to tilt to one side and then tumble over. Again, forklifts are not designed for speed. Drivers should know to approach the corner slowly and carefully before making a turn.
- Collision with pedestrians and other vehicles – Insufficient markings and warning signs and unaware pedestrians can pose a great danger to everyone. If there’s high traffic in the warehouse, physical barriers should be installed. Painted lines on the floor are no longer seen as acceptable means of separation. Highly visible clothing must also be worn at all times. The driver and pedestrians should always keep a safe distance from each other, especially in forklift or heavy equipment zones.
- Loose load – Any loose load can fall from the mast and tines if it’s unbalanced or loosely packed. Depending on the weight of the load, this can have serious effects on the victim which can cause severe injury or even death. Make sure that the load is stable and secure before moving it to another location.
Implementing an effective traffic management system
An effective traffic management system needs to be established to ensure the efficiency of the business activity and at the same time, preventing the potential for incident and accidents to occur.
A traffic management plan document should help to explain how risks will be managed at the warehouse or facility.
An effective traffic management plan should include the use of safety barriers to create a safe working environment and will include:
- designated travel paths for vehicles including entry and exit points or traffic crossing other streams of traffic
- pedestrian and traffic routes
- systems that show how often powered mobile plant and pedestrians interact
- traffic control measures for each expected interaction including drawings of the layout of barriers, walkways, signs, and general arrangements to warn and guide traffic around, past, or through the workplace or temporary hazard
- plan that outlines the responsibilities of people managing traffic at the workplace
- plan that outlines the responsibilities of people expected to interact with traffic at the workplace
- plan with instructions or procedures for controlling traffic including in an emergency, and
- how to implement and monitor the effectiveness of a traffic management plan
The traffic management plan should be monitored and reviewed regularly including after an incident to ensure it is still effective and considers relevant changes at the workplace. Workers should be aware of and understand the traffic management plan and receive information, instruction, training, and supervision. Site inductions should include the traffic management plan.
Choosing the right safety barriers to protect your workplace employees and reduce forklift related accidents
An effective traffic management system needs to be established to ensure the efficiency of the business activity and at the same time, preventing the potential for incident and accidents to occur.
A traffic management plan document should help to explain how risks will be managed at the warehouse or facility.
An effective traffic management plan should include the use of safety barriers to create a safe working environment and will include:
- designated travel paths for vehicles including entry and exit points or traffic crossing other streams of traffic
- pedestrian and traffic routes
- systems that show how often powered mobile plant and pedestrians interact
- traffic control measures for each expected interaction including drawings of the layout of barriers, walkways, signs, and general arrangements to warn and guide traffic around, past, or through the workplace or temporary hazard
- plan that outlines the responsibilities of people managing traffic at the workplace
- plan that outlines the responsibilities of people expected to interact with traffic at the workplace
- plan with instructions or procedures for controlling traffic including in an emergency, and
- how to implement and monitor the effectiveness of a traffic management plan
The traffic management plan should be monitored and reviewed regularly including after an incident to ensure it is still effective and considers relevant changes at the workplace. Workers should be aware of and understand the traffic management plan and receive information, instruction, training, and supervision. Site inductions should include the traffic management plan.
Choosing the right safety barriers to protect your workplace employees and reduce forklift related accidents
Safety barriers are identified as a physical means, combined with a traffic management plan to prevent, control, or mitigate undesired events or forklift accidents. A traffic management system could range from a single technical unit or more, coupled with planning and human actions. If a barrier function is to be performed successfully, it should achieve a desired and significant effect on the occurrence and or consequences of an undesired event or accident.
An effective strategy in ensuring workplace safety, is the use of barriers and temporary fencing that provide protect and prevent incidents and accidents. It is essential to include operator and worker training and awareness to ensure a successful outcome in accident prevention. If your workplace needs the support of a safety industry expert for the implementation of safety barriers or a traffic management plan, get in touch with Verge Safety Barriers. Dedicated to helping create safer work environments, the safety experts at Verge have the knowledge and experience to get your workplace up to the highest safety standards. Get in touch on 1800 765 539 or request a quote online today!