At Hyster, your safety is among our main concerns. This is the reason why we offer a variety of optional safety devices that can be included to your machine or work site. Following the standards of OSHA, Hyster makes both visible and audible warning devices in addition to head and work lamps.
The only warning device needed on the forklift according to OSHA and ASME B56.1 regulations is the steering wheel horn. The horn is standard on all types of lift trucks. Though lift trucks are not required to have both visible or audible warning devices, there are several cases where optional warning devices may be appropriate. These factors are unique to each and every work site or work place and each situation has to be considered individually.
Back-up alarms or motion alarms are the most common safety devices. The noise produced by these alarms are the main thing to take into consideration. First of all, the audible device has to be distinguished from other types of sounds in the work place and the sound needs to be very loud to be heard in the work site, even if other kinds of equipment could be working. The ability for workers to hear alarms and determine where the noise is originating from can be compromised if workers are wearing hearing protection devices. If the alarms are too offensive or disruptive to employees, nearby homes, or nearby businesses, alarms may have to be disabled. If sound should be disabled, this should be able to happen readily. Rules should also be followed to ensure that the levels of noise do not go beyond OSHA noise limitations.
Visible safety devices may consist of the common flashing, strobe or rotating lights. Things to think about with visible safety devices comprise whether or not these devices may be more suitable than audible devices. Operator distraction, workplace lighting and presence of reflective surfaces are top concerns to consider to ensure that safety devices are effective and do not pose a danger to drivers or other workers. Colour of safety lights must be different from background surfaces and other lights that are in the work site. Safety device positioning are extremely important. Lights must be able to clear any overhead obstacles. Light positioning must not cause the lights to shine or reflect into the driver's eyes, but shielding of the lights should not overly block the light's visibility to pedestrians.
To meet numerous application requirements, Hyster has a range of optional lights which include weather-resistant LED and halogen lights. These lights could hold up through vibration and shock as well. As for work lamps and head lamps, OSHA has set standards to make working in dark work spaces or at night safer. Directional lighting is required if the lift truck lighting makes less than 2 lumens per square foot. Hyster has numerous options which would help increase visibility in low-light conditions.