Traffic Management

Traffic Management

Review the Traffic Management Plan at least once a year. However, you may also need to review the Traffic Management Plan if there are changes to your workplace that may impact on safety, eg when new equipment is introduced into the workplace, in situations where plant / processes are modified and during seasonal peak periods.

 A good Traffic Management Plan will address many of the risks associated with the use of forklifts in the workplace. The best way to reduce forklift-related injuries is by separating forklifts from pedestrians outright but if this is not possible, by developing a traffic management plan, hazards are identified, assessed and then controlled – thus minimizing the risk.

An effective traffic management plan can use a range of devices, including pedestrian and forklift exclusion zones, safety zones for truck drivers, safety barriers, containment fences and reduced speed limiting devices and signs. 

A traffic management plan is essential to address many of the risks associated with the use of forklifts in the workplace. Here is a shortened version of how one company addressed their hazards.

1. LOADSHIFTING EQUIPMENT

Provide safe access and egress for pedestrian’s e.g. Li ne markings, signage and barriers for safe pedestrian walkways.

Safe distance shall be maintained (e.g. three truck lengths) between forklifts to allow sufficient reaction and stopping time.

Forklift operators shall use their horn when passing pedestrians or other forklifts, moving through doorways, approaching blind corners.

When entering an aisle all forklift operators must sound their horn, give way if necessary and proceed with caution.

When exiting an aisle all forklift operators must come to a complete stop, sound their horn, give way if necessary and proceed with caution.

For common area where pedestrians and vehicles are required to operate within the same area, are there adequate safety control measures?

Use the left hand side doorway unless otherwise signed, when using doorways forklift operators must come to a complete stop, sound their horn, give way if necessary and proceed with caution.

Effective workplace layout to separate pedestrian and forklifts

Effective line marking to separate pedestrian and forklifts.

Pedestrians have the right of way.