People who aren’t paying attention are at the most risk, particularly those who walk near and around forklifts. People don’t pay attention because they’re busy, worried about deadlines. Or they’re absorbed in their smart phone, or in a conversation with someone. The reasons vary, but when forklifts are involved, the results can be deadly.

Most experts agree that the key is training for both the pedestrians and forklift drivers, and that’s correct. Others will also point out the need to enhance that training with various facility and equipment upgrades. That’s why many companies have installed forklift warning lights, often called “blue lights”, that project a disc of light that precedes the forklift as it moves. Since the forklift is typically the most dangerous piece of equipment in any facility that uses it, these types of low-cost enhancements are sensible and easy.

The blue lights are highly effective in part because they are “disruptive”. Unlike tape or paint lines for traffic management, or static signage, they aren’t always there. They don’t mentally blend into the background as easily as safety precautions that are seen all day, every day by warehouse employees.

Since these lights are installed on so many forklifts, it’s important to understand exactly how they should be mounted for maximum effectiveness.

Recommended settings:

Recommended Placement: Front and Rear of the vehicle

Recommended Beam Pattern Intensity: 830+ Lux (on the ground)

Recommended Mounting Height: 6’8″ – 8’4″ (2.0m – 2.5m)

Recommended Beam Pattern Distance (from Vehicle): 14’9″ – 17’11” (4.5m – 5.5m)

It’s important that once you have installed the lights, that you check them for distance. If the light is tampered with, or moves, it can affect its distance. Pedestrians who are used to a certain “lead” distance will assume the forklifts are always set at that distance, so consistency of distance, and consistency across all vehicles is important. A change in that distance can lead to dangerous assumptions on the part of pedestrians.