When a pedestrian gets hit by a vehicle, such as a car or a forklift, it doesn’t matter who was at fault (the pedestrian or the driver). The outcome (injury or death) will always be worse for the pedestrian.
Pedestrian safety is something we all think about outside of work. As drivers, we’re on the lookout for pedestrians crossing the street, and as pedestrians we’re on the lookout for cars to make sure it’s safe to cross the street. But when we’re at work it’s easy to forget that forklifts can come down any corner, or that a worker who wasn’t there a second ago is now suddenly standing behind the forklift.
How can we keep pedestrians safe?
- Pay attention! First and foremost, you must be paying attention to your surroundings whether you’re the driver or the pedestrian.
- Drivers: Honk your horn when entering buildings or coming around blind spots.
- Pedestrians: Look both ways before crossing or walking into any vehicle traffic areas
- Pedestrians: Make eye contact before crossing in front of a driver. Don’t assume the driver saw you or will stop just because pedestrians have the right of way.
- Pedestrians: Use designated paths, ramps, walkways, and crossings. Many worksites keep a separation between pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Don’t walk where you’re not supposed to.
- Drivers: Be on the lookout for pedestrians, even if they’re not supposed to be walking in that area.
- Pedestrian: never walk directly behind a vehicle. It may back up.
- Drivers: Always look before backing up.
- Use The Halo Zone: When approaching a forklift driver, make eye contact and wait for approval to approach. The forklift driver should lower forks and turn off the engine when the pedestrian is within the 3ft halo of the forklift. Never stick your feet under the tires while talking to the driver.
When Pedestrians and Drivers are looking out for each other, everybody goes home safe.
That’s it for now. Until next Time- Safety First!
