Pedestrian Walkways in Warehouse
Does your workplace have a traffic problem? Forklifts and pedestrians often cross paths in warehouses and other industrial facilities. Just as on a city street, it’s important to have safeguards in place to manage the movement of people and vehicles. Accidents happen between forklifts and people when pedestrian walkway safety standards are neglected.
Storee Construction will review your facility to ensure it’s safe for employees and visitors. We’ll recommend pedestrian walkway safety upgrades that make sense for your business and budget. We can even act as your plant safety contractor, helping you comply with the regulations in your area.
Safety begins with the proper design of your facility. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration codes require permanent passageways and aisles to stay clear of obstructions. These aisles should also be clearly designated when forklifts or other machinery are used.
Keep Them Separated
How can you keep bystanders and pedestrians safe in areas with forklifts? The best plan is to have separate passages for people and vehicles.
Installing permanent walkways with railings will keep most foot traffic out of harm’s way. Catwalks, platforms or other elevated structures may be the solution for very large and busy facilities. Safety gates can keep people from crossing into areas where only approved personnel should be.
It’s not always practical to have a physical barrier installed. If you run a warehouse or a smaller facility, floor striping is a good way to designate pedestrian walkways. Make sure the walkway is wide enough to accommodate pedestrians.
Signs and Traffic Signals
Whether you use floor striping or guardrails or something else, it’s important to have clear signs and traffic signals.
Place stop and yield signs at intersections where pathways merge. Post speed limits for forklift drivers. For busy facilities, consider installing traffic lights to control intersections. Installing convex mirrors at blind intersections can help prevent collisions.
Signs that inform pedestrians that forklifts may be nearby are an important reminder. Post notices explaining that material-handling machinery is designed to come to a gradual stop. Sudden stops can cause loads to shift or topple.
Train Forklift Drivers and Pedestrians
Nothing beats attentiveness and awareness when it comes to preventing accidents. Make sure everyone in the facility is educated about your company’s safety codes. Both forklift drivers and pedestrians need to play by the same set of rules. Conduct safety training sessions and post signs outlining safety practices.
Storee’s experienced safety experts can help equip your facility with the custom structures you need to keep employees safe. Our team has extensive safety training and understands how to build state and OSHA-compliant safeguards. Contact us today to schedule a site visit.
READ: How to Avoid Injuries, Fines and Legal Exposure by installing safety improvements
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