USING VISUAL WARNING AIDS TO REDUCE FORKLIFT ACCIDENTS AND WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION CLAIMS

According to OSHA forklift safety, on average over 100,000 workers are injured every year in forklift accidents. 35% of all forklift accidents involve unsuspecting workers in warehouse aisles who were either run over or pinned against another object. In most of these cases, there was no warning system in place to possibly prevent the accident from occurring.Under the OSHA Act, 29 u.s.c. § 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 are 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. 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. 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.A good safety policy stipulates the use of warning lights on all lift vehicles and in warehouse aisles as a warning to forklift operators that a worker is in the area.More useful information is available atwww.oshasafetymanagement.com/blog/forklift-safetywww.lumastrobe.ca/warehouse-safety