Importance of LED Forklift Safety Lights
Forklift warning lights improve safety in warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities by alerting pedestrians to the presence of operational forklifts. These fixtures are most commonly mounted on forklifts but can also be used on pallet trucks, order-pickers, and other industrial vehicles to reduce the number of vehicle-related injuries.
Bright pedestrian safety lights are particularly useful in low-visibility conditions, loud environments, or areas with blind spots, where auditory warnings may not be sufficient in providing a warning. These lights can also aid warehouse occupants in gauging the width of a forklift's swing during turns to provide a safe distance from the vehicle.
OSHA 1910.178(h)(2) requires all warehouse vehicles to utilize forward-facing headlights if the lighting falls below 2 lm/ft2. Compliance with these regulations is essential for all warehouses and industrial facilities.
Comparing Forklift Safety Light Beam Patterns
Arc
The arc pattern creates a curved light signal on the ground around the forklift. Using an arc pattern is useful for forklifts that have to swing out and maneuver around corners frequently because it gives a clear indication of where the forklift will swing and allows enough space for pedestrians to stand safely away. Mount arc-patterned lights to the front or back of your forklift.
Arrow
An arrow pattern projected onto the ground indicates which way the warehouse vehicle is moving. This type of warning gives pedestrians enough time to see the light and safely move out of the way. Arrow-patterned forklift lights are best suited for the front and back of your forklift.
Line
Fixtures emitting a line pattern create a clear separation between the "Halo-Zone" and where it is safe to walk. This is one of the most popular safety light beam patterns. These lights are commonly installed off the sides of a forklift, but you can mount multiple warning lights around the sides and rear of your forklift to create an encompassing square.
Square
Mounting multiple fixtures around your forklift creates an encompassing square “No-Go” zone. Similar to the arc pattern, this is ideal for forklifts that frequently have to swing out and maneuver around corners. Square-patterned safety lights are best suited on the front or back of your forklift to provide warehouse workers with sufficient warning.
Applications for Red And Blue Safety Lights
There are two main colors of pedestrian safety lights: blue and red. Each color is used for different purposes. A blue pedestrian safety light is projected onto the floor several feet in front of or behind the forklift to warn warehouse workers it is approaching. These lights are designed to indicate the forward and backward motion of the vehicle.
Red forklift pedestrian safety lights designate “No Go” or “Halo” safety zones that mark a distinct line that is unsafe to cross. Red lights are typically mounted on the sides or around forklifts to create a safety zone encompassing the vehicle. Blue, red, amber, and white colored strobe lights are also commonly used on forklifts, but the use of these fixtures varies.
Best Forklift WarningLight Mounting Locations
Pedestrian warning lights: Forklift warning lights are mounted high on the overhead guard to maximize the coverage area. When installing your lights, make sure to angle them properly so they project the desired distance away from your vehicle.
Lights with an arrow pattern should be projected around 10 to 20 feet in the front or rear of the forklift to give a sufficient warning of the path of the forklift. Arc, square, and line-patterned forklift lights should be positioned to create a “No-Go” zone extending 2-5 feet away from the vehicle. Lights with these patterns are commonly mounted on the sides and rear of forklifts.
Headlights: Forklift headlights and forward-facing lights should be installed at the front of the vehicle and positioned to provide enough forward visibility for forklifts to navigate low-light environments safely.
Strobes: Strobe beacons can be installed in a variety of locations on a forklift, as long as they are visible from multiple angles and points of view. In low-lighting conditions, this will ensure that pedestrians receive a clear indication of where the forklift is located.
