Amongst Hysters main safety concerns is safety. It is the reason why they provide numerous pieces of optional safety devices which can be included to either the work site or the machinery itself. Following the standards of OSHA, Hyster manufactures work and head lamps as well as both visible and audible warning devices.
According to OSHA and ASME B56.1 regulations, the only warning device required on a lift truck is the horn on the steering wheel, which is a basic feature on all forklifts. Though lift trucks are not required to have audible or visible warning devices, there are a few conditions where optional warning devices might be appropriate. These factors are unique to each work site or work place and each and every situation must be considered individually.
For audible safety devices, that are most commonly motion alarms or back-up alarms, the main point to take into account is the level of noise made by the alarm. First of all, the audible device has to be distinguished from other sounds within the work place and the sound needs to be loud enough to be heard in the work site, even when other types of machines could be functioning. The ability for workers to hear alarms and know where the sound is originating from could be compromised if employees are wearing hearing protection devices. If the alarms are too disruptive or offensive to employees, nearby residents, or nearby companies, alarms may have to be disabled. If sound should be disabled, this should be able to take place readily. Rules also have to be followed to make sure that the levels of noise do not go beyond OSHA noise limits.
For visible safety devices, most frequently flashing, strobe or rotating lights, numerous points must be considered and thought must be put into whether visible safety devices may be more suitable compared to audible devices. Workplace lighting, presence of reflective surfaces, and operator distraction are all main priorities to take into consideration to ensure that safety devices do not pose a danger to operators or other workers and are effective. Colour of safety lights should be different from background surfaces and other lights which are within the work place. Position of safety devices are really important. Lights must be able to clear any overhead obstacles. Placement of lights must not cause the lights to shine or reflect into the eyes of the driver, but shielding of the lights must not overly block the light's visibility to pedestrians.
Hyster has a variety of optional lights to suit many application needs including halogen lights and weather-resistant LED that hold up through shock and vibration as well. When it comes to work lamps and head lamps, OSHA has set standards to make working in dark work areas or at night much safer. Directional lighting is required if the lighting on the forklift makes less than 2 lumens per square foot. Hyster has numerous alternatives which will truly help increase visibility in low-light conditions.