Among Hysters top safety concerns is safety. It is the reason why they offer many pieces of optional safety equipment which can be added to either the work place or the machine itself. Following the standards of OSHA, Hyster manufactures head and work lamps as well as 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 standard on all types of lift trucks. Although lift trucks are not required to have visible or audible warning devices, there are a few conditions where optional warning devices could be suitable. These factors are unique to each and every work site or work place and every situation must be considered individually.
Motion alarms or back-up alarms are the most common safety devices. The noise produced by these alarms are the main factor to consider. To begin with, the audible device must be able to be distinguished from other kinds of noises in the work site and the sound should be very loud to be heard in the work site, even if other types of machinery may be running. The ability for workers to hear alarms and know where the sound is coming from can be compromised if employees wear hearing protection devices. If the alarms are very disruptive or offensive to employees, nearby residents, or nearby businesses, alarms may have to be disabled. If noise has to be disabled, this should be able to happen readily. Rules also need to be followed in order to ensure that the levels of noise do not exceed OSHA noise limits.
Visible safety devices may consist of the common flashing, strobe or rotating lights. Things to think about with visible safety devices include whether or not these devices might be more appropriate than audible devices. Workplace lighting, presence of reflective surfaces, and driver distraction are main priorities to consider to ensure that safety devices do not pose a danger to drivers or other workers and are effective. Safety light colours must be different from other lights and background surfaces which are within the work site. Position of safety devices are extremely important. Lights should be able to clear any overhead obstacles. Position of lights must not cause the lights to shine or reflect into the eyes of the operator, but shielding of the lights should not overly block the light's visibility to pedestrians.
To meet numerous application requirements, Hyster has a range of optional lights which consist of weather-resistant LED and halogen lights. These lights are able to 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 spaces or at night safer. Directional lighting is needed if the truck lighting produces less than 2 lumens per square foot. Hyster has a lot of alternatives that will help increase visibility in low-light conditions.