Need Forklift Hire In Melbourne? A Guide To Pedestrian Safety

We seem to take it for granted that pedestrians have right of way – in fact, we instil this in our children from a young age. It is surprising, however, that the same principles don’t seem to carry over into the workplace. This is especially true when it comes to forklifts – when fully loaded, they can carry a huge amount of weight that could very quickly turn dangerous. If you need forklift hire in Melbourne, you need to ensure that pedestrian safety is a top priority.

What sorts of accidents could occur?

Forklifts can actually be responsible for a number of accidents involving pedestrians. They could be crushed or pinned underneath it, they could be hit by falling objects, their feet could be run over, and they could be knocked down. The spectrum of injuries ranges from the relatively minor to the serious – grazes, bruises, internal injuries, broken limbs, permanent impairment and even death in the worst case scenarios.

So, what can be done to ensure pedestrian safety?

There are three main things to keep in mind when it comes to pedestrian safety and forklift hire in Melbourne:

1. Give forklifts their own travel paths

Keeping pedestrians away from these machines is a great way to protect them from incident. Once no-go zones have been assigned to pedestrians and forklifts, everyone will get where they’re going faster and more safely. These zones should be clearly indicated using painted or taped lines. There will inevitably be crossover points – ideally, these will be gated so that pedestrians are fully aware of the need to be alert.

Pedestrians need to be mindful that these machines can be quite cumbersome and clunky, with wider-than-expected turning ratios and longer-than-expected stopping distances.

2. Monitor forklift speeds

Speed may not be the first thing that springs to mind when we think about these machines, but they do zip along quickly. The problem is compounded by the fact that they’re quite heavy for their size, which means that more awareness and care is required to stop them. Plus, not all forklifts come with speedometers – they are definitely a worthwhile investment and you should choose a model that comes with one.

Drivers need to be mindful of their top safe speed – which will be determined by the nature of their load, how well it has been stacked and the height at which it is being carried.

3. Visibility is key

At the end of the day, the only way to avoid an accident is if you can see it coming. Pedestrians should always wear hi vis vests in and around areas where forklifts are used. The machines themselves should be brightly coloured and use safety beepers/flashing lights to further signal their presence. Blind corners should be fitted with convex safety mirrors to prevent any surprises for people coming around the corner.

The lighting in these machines should always be kept up-to-date and in optimal condition – even though it can be tedious and inconvenient to change bulbs and tubes inside the mechanics.

Whether you’ve used forklift hire in Melbourne dozens of times before or this is the first time, it’s essential that you have taken pedestrian safety into account. As many workplaces who hire don’t use forklifts all the time, pedestrians and drivers are often unsure how to behave when they come into contact with each other. By ensuring that everyone in the workplace has received appropriate training, you can rest assured that everyone will be kept safe.