The Real Power of UWB in Forklift and Pedestrian Safety

 

If your company uses forklifts, you need to understand how UWB in forklift safety is used to reduce pedestrian collisions. No matter how well you train your forklift drivers, there is always going to be some risk, especially when it comes to people who are on the floor. Pedestrian collisions are a common concern since it can be difficult for drivers to see them.

At ELOKON, we provide a variety of custom safety solutions that are perfect for any type of material handling company that utilizes forklifts. In this article, we will discuss the role of UWB in forklift safety and how a forklift safety system can positively impact your workplace.

Why You Need Forklift Pedestrian Safety Systems 

Protecting your employees needs to be a top priority, no matter the type of material handling company you manage. Forklift fleets are amazing for efficiency, but they can result in significant property damage and injuries if the right precautions aren't taken.

If you haven't already upgraded your safety systems, this is something you need to seriously consider doing. Safety technology has never been more advanced and now uses UWB for forklift safety.

Here are the main reasons why you need to invest in these safety systems to protect your employees and your company.

Employee Retention

One of the most common issues companies have is employee retention. It can be difficult to find employees who are willing to stick around long-term, and having to hire and train new employees is not only inefficient but costly.

If you do not provide a safe workplace, it is very likely that you will regularly lose employees. A lack of safety and regular forklift accidents will also negatively impact team morale, creating a less positive workplace.

Being able to keep employees long-term is especially important for material handling companies, as all of your employees will need to go through rigorous training.

Reduced Injuries

All forklift collisions are a problem, but especially so when pedestrians are involved. This is because these types of accidents are more likely to result in injuries rather than just property damage.

When this happens, the individual may file a lawsuit against you, which can be very costly for your company. You may also have to pay out workers' compensation benefits depending on the severity of the injuries and the medical treatment required.

Better Efficiency

Any type of forklift collision in the workplace is going to damage efficiency and productivity. When a collision occurs, the work for the day will usually have to come to a stop, causing significant delays.

If workers cannot return to work because they are injured or a forklift has been damaged, this will also negatively impact your company's ability to meet its deadlines.

Legal Protection

As we mentioned above, pedestrians who have been involved in a forklift accident have the option of filing a lawsuit. Not only can this have a negative financial impact on your company, it will negatively impact your public image.

Using a forklift safety system can help provide a bit of legal protection as it shows that you have taken every step possible to improve pedestrian safety. The system can also help prove if the pedestrians put themselves in danger, reducing your responsibility.

Understanding OSHA Pedestrian Safety Compliance

OSHA has a variety of forklift safety compliance standards that material handling companies need to uphold. Many of these standards should be part of your safety checklist for forklift operators, as they can significantly improve the safety of your workplace.

In general, OSHA safety standards are designed to improve overall safety when it comes to pedestrians, drivers, and general collision avoidance. However, there are some specific rules for protecting anyone on the floor when forklifts are in operation, such as:

• Never exceed the rated load.
• Be aware of other vehicles in the warehouse.
• Only allow trained forklift drivers to operate the vehicles.
• Maintain clear visibility of the workplace when forklifts are operating.
• Use horns when coming to cross aisles or obstructed areas.
• Maintain a safe indoor speed limit.

These are the main pedestrian-focused rules that help prevent the most common causes of pedestrian accidents, such as forklift collisions, forklift drivers driving too fast, or limited visibility when pedestrians are on the floor.

At ELOKON, our safety systems can help you uphold all of these standards through automated technology and safety checklists.

Ultra-Wideband Technology and UWB Tracking

If you want to improve the safety of your warehouse, UWB in forklift safety is the way to go. Thankfully, technology has advanced significantly when it comes to improving pedestrian safety, helping you to reduce collision risks.

At ELOKON, our forklift pedestrian safety systems use ultra-wideband technology and UWB tracking to better protect pedestrians. For example, our ELOshield proximity detection system automatically helps avoid collisions with two safety zones: the warning and protection zones. Both zones are configurable, allowing you to adjust their size and shape depending on your safety needs.

The purpose of UWB in forklift safety is to alert the forklift driver if anything comes into either of the zones. If a pedestrian, object, or other vehicle enters one of these zones, an audible, vibration, or visual alert will go off. Not only does this help to alert the forklift driver, but it can also help to alert the pedestrian.

At ELOKON, our configurable warning and protection zones can also detect multiple pedestrians at once. Additionally, we offer multiple forklift safety systems for pedestrian detection, including our ELOprotect and ELOvision systems.

Invest in a Forklift Safety System With ELOKON

Whether you own an industrial site, manufacturing plant, or warehouse, using forklifts is often a matter of necessity. However, these vehicles come with serious risks, especially when it comes to the safety of pedestrians.

At ELOKON, we provide cutting-edge technology for material handling companies, offering an array of forklift pedestrian safety systems. Our systems use the latest technology, including ultra-wideband technology and advanced UWB tracking.

Contact ELOKON today to learn more about the role of UWB in forklift safety and how our customizable solutions can help you.