One of Hysters main safety concerns is safety. It is the reason why they offer 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 both visible and audible warning devices along with work and head lamps.
According to OSHA and ASME B56.1 regulations, the only warning device needed on a lift truck is the steering wheel horn, which is a standard feature on all forklifts. Even though visible or audible warning devices are not required on all kinds of lift trucks, there are several cases where optional warning devices could be suitable. These factors are unique to every work site or work place and every condition must be considered individually.
For audible safety devices, which are most commonly motion alarms or back-up alarms, the main factor to take into consideration is the noise level produced by the alarm. To begin with, the audible device should be able to be distinguished from other kinds of noises in the work site and the noise should be really loud to be heard in the work location, even when other equipment may be operating. The ability for workers to hear alarms and determine where the sound is coming from could be compromised if workers wear hearing protection devices. If the alarms are too offensive or disruptive to workers, nearby houses, or nearby businesses, alarms might have to be disabled. If sound should be disabled, this should be able to take place readily. Rules also need to be followed to ensure that the levels of noise do not exceed OSHA noise limitations.
For visible safety devices, most commonly rotating, flashing or strobe lights, many points must be considered and thought should be put into whether visible safety devices might be more appropriate compared to audible devices. Workplace lighting, presence of reflective surfaces, and driver distraction are all top priorities to take into account to make sure that safety devices are effective and do not pose a danger to operators or other employees. Colour of safety lights must be different from other lights and background surfaces that are in the work site. Safety device placement are very important. Lights must be able to clear any overhead obstacles. Placement of lights must not cause the lights to shine or reflect into the driver's eyes, but shielding of the lights must not excessively obstruct the light's visibility to pedestrians.
To meet numerous application needs, Hyster has a range of optional lights that include weather-resistant LED and halogen lights. These lights can hold up through shock and vibration as well. When it comes to work lamps and head lamps, OSHA has set standards to make working at night or in dark work areas a lot safer. Directional lighting is needed if the forklift lighting produces less than 2 lumens per square foot. Hyster has a lot of alternatives that will help increase visibility in low-light situations.