At Hyster, your safety is one of our top concerns. This is the reason why we provide a variety of optional safety equipment which can be included to your machinery or work site. Following the standards of OSHA, Hyster makes work and head lamps in addition to both visible and audible warning devices.
The only warning device needed on the forklift according to ASME B56.1 and OSHA regulations is the steering wheel horn. The horn is basic on all kinds of lift trucks. Though audible or visible warning devices are not required on all kinds of lift trucks, there are several cases where optional warning devices might be suitable. These factors are unique to every work site or work place and each and every 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 account. First of all, the audible device must be able to be distinguished from other sounds within the work place and the noise must be very loud to be heard in the work site, even if other equipment could be operating. The ability for employees to hear alarms and determine where the sound is originating from could be compromised if employees wear hearing protection devices. If the alarms are very offensive or disruptive to employees, nearby businesses, or nearby homes, alarms might need to be disabled. If sound should be disabled, this must 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 commonly rotating, flashing or strobe lights, numerous points should be considered and thought must be put into whether visible safety devices may be more suitable than audible devices. Workplace lighting, presence of reflective surfaces, and operator distraction are all main priorities to consider to ensure that safety devices do not pose a danger to drivers or other workers and are effective. Colour of safety lights must be different from other lights and background surfaces which are in the work site. Placement of safety devices are extremely important. Lights should be able to clear any overhead obstacles. Light placement must not cause the lights to reflect or shine into the driver's eyes, but shielding of the lights should not excessively block the light's visibility to pedestrians.
To meet many application needs, Hyster has a variety of optional lights that comprise weather-resistant LED and halogen lights. These lights can 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 areas or at night a lot safer. Directional lighting is required if the forklift lighting produces less than 2 lumens per square foot. Hyster has many choices which will truly help increase visibility in low-light conditions.