A good pedestrian safety program in a warehouse involves a combination of engineering controls, administrative measures, and employee education to minimize risks and ensure the safety of everyone.
Here are the key elements:
1. Clear Traffic Flow Design
- Designated Walkways: Use barriers, railings, or painted lines to create marked pedestrian pathways that are physically separated from forklift and vehicle traffic.
- Crosswalks: Use well-marked crosswalks at intersections between pedestrian paths and vehicle lanes.
- One-Way Traffic: Implement one-way traffic routes for forklifts and vehicles to reduce collision risks.
2. Adequate Signage and Visual Aids
- Warning Signs: Place signs to indicate high-risk areas, such as loading docks or blind corners.
- Floor Markings: Use colour-coded floor markings to indicate pedestrian zones, vehicle routes, and restricted areas.
- Mirrors: Install convex mirrors at blind corners and intersections.
3. Barriers and Physical Controls
- Guardrails and Bollards: Use physical barriers to prevent pedestrians from entering vehicle traffic zones.
- Pedestrian Gates: Install gates at high-traffic crossings to control pedestrian access.
- Automatic Warning Systems: Use motion sensors or alarms that activate when vehicles approach pedestrian areas.
4. Training and Awareness
- Safety Training: Provide comprehensive training for all employees on pedestrian safety practices and warehouse traffic rules.
- Forklift Operator Training: Train operators to be vigilant about pedestrians and to follow proper driving practices.
- Refresher Courses: Conduct regular safety refreshers and toolbox talks to keep safety top of mind.
5. Visibility and Lighting
- High-Visibility Clothing: Require all employees to wear reflective or high-visibility vests.
- Adequate Lighting: Ensure all pedestrian and traffic areas are well-lit to reduce accidents caused by poor visibility.
6. Technology Integration
- Proximity Warning Systems: Use wearable devices or vehicle-mounted systems that alert pedestrians and operators when they are too close.
- Cameras and Sensors: Deploy camera systems to monitor high-risk areas and alert staff of potential hazards.
- Automated Vehicles: Consider using automated guided vehicles (AGVs) with built-in pedestrian detection.
7. Administrative Controls
- Traffic Management Policies: Develop and enforce policies for speed limits, right-of-way rules, and loading dock safety.
- Scheduled Inspections: Regularly inspect safety equipment, markings, and lighting.
- Incident Reporting and Analysis: Establish a system for reporting near-misses and incidents and analyze trends to implement corrective actions.
8. Emergency Preparedness
- Emergency Exits: Clearly mark and maintain accessible emergency exits for pedestrians.
- Evacuation Drills: Conduct periodic drills to ensure employees know how to evacuate safely.
- First Aid Stations: Ensure first aid stations are available and accessible in case of an incident.
9. Continuous Improvement
- Regular Audits: Perform routine safety audits to identify and address potential risks.
- Employee Feedback: Encourage workers to provide input on unsafe conditions or improvements to the pedestrian safety program.
- Updates to Procedures: Adapt and update safety procedures based on new technologies, regulations, or incident analyses.
It is important to know what your local regulatory requirements are in each province as that is what you are responsible for, so for more information don’t hesitate to reach out to us or speak with your local regulators for more information.
Chuck A. Leon CRSP P.MM Director of Training Development and Safety
RNW Rack Network Inc.
