Forklift and Pedestrian Safety

Forklift-pedestrian incidents are one of the most common — and most preventable — hazards in any warehouse or distribution center. They're also a specific focus of OSHA's Warehousing and Distribution National Emphasis Program. A forklift operator's blind spots, a distracted pedestrian, and a shared aisle are all it takes.

The core problem is usually visibility: a loaded forklift can block the operator's forward view entirely, and a pedestrian stepping around a rack often can't be seen — or heard — until it's too late.

Key points

• Stay out of marked pedestrian lanes for forklift travel, and out of forklift lanes as a pedestrian.
• Make eye contact with the operator before crossing in front of or behind a forklift — never assume they've seen you.
• Operators should sound the horn at blind corners and intersections every time, not just when it seems necessary.
• Never walk under a raised load or fork, even briefly.
• Loaded forklifts should travel with the load low and tilted back, and in reverse if forward visibility is blocked.
• Keep aisles clear of debris and stored material that narrows the path for pedestrians or forklifts.

Discussion questions

• Are there blind corners or intersections in our facility where near-misses tend to happen?
• Does everyone know where the marked pedestrian lanes are?
• Has an operator ever felt pressured to move faster than felt safe?