At Hyster, your safety is among our main concerns. This is why we provide a variety of optional safety devices which can be included to your machinery or work place. Following the standards of OSHA, Hyster manufactures both audible and visible warning devices as well as head and work lamps.
The only warning device needed on the lift truck according to OSHA and ASME B56.1 regulations is the horn on the steering wheel. The horn is basic on all kinds of lift trucks. Even if forklifts are not required to have both audible or visible warning devices, there are several situations where optional warning devices may be appropriate. These factors are unique to each and every work place or work site and each and every condition should be considered individually.
Back-up alarms or motion alarms are the most common safety devices. The noise made by these alarms are the main thing to take into consideration. To begin with, the audible device should be able to be distinguished from other sounds in the work site and the sound must be really loud to be heard in the work site, even if other equipment could be operating. The ability for workers to hear alarms and determine where the noise is originating from can be compromised if employees are wearing hearing protection devices. If the alarms are very offensive or disruptive to employees, nearby residents, or nearby companies, alarms may have to be disabled. If noise must be disabled, this should be able to take place readily. Regulations should also be followed to make certain that the levels of noise do not exceed OSHA noise limits.
Visible safety devices may include the common flashing, strobe or rotating lights. Things to think about with visible safety devices include whether or not these devices may be more appropriate compared to audible devices. Workplace lighting, presence of reflective surfaces, and driver distraction are all main priorities to take into account to ensure that safety devices do not pose a danger to operators or other workers and are effective. Colour of safety lights must be different from other lights and background surfaces that are within the work place. Safety device placement are of greatest importance. Lights must be able to clear any overhead obstacles. Light placement must not cause the lights to shine or reflect into the eyes of the operator, but shielding of the lights must not overly block the light's visibility to pedestrians.
Hyster has a range of optional lights to meet numerous application requirements including halogen lights and weather-resistant LED which hold up through shock and vibration as well. When it comes to head lamps and work lamps, OSHA has set standards to make working in dark work spaces or at night safer. Directional lighting is required if the forklift lighting produces less than 2 lumens per square foot. Hyster has many options that would help increase visibility in low-light situations.