Page 33 - Powered Industrial Trucks

P3 Safety Solutions, LLC Powered Industrial Trucks - Operators (1910.178)

Considerations and General Rules of Thumb

Aisles of adequate width should be provided for efficient material handling operations. Note that 3-foot
dedicated pedestrian aisles and in-plant trailer drop-off zones are incremental to these numbers.

General Aisle Recommendations

Pedestrians entering the aisle from critical areas, including stairways, vestibules, offices, canteens,
cafeterias, locker rooms, restrooms, employee entrances, etc., should enter the aisle moving parallel
to aisle traffic. Using barriers such as railings or guardrails may accomplish this. Under no condition
should this impede emergency egress from the building.

Cross aisles should be provided at least every 500 feet (152.4m).

Perimeter aisles should be located a minimum of 4 feet (1.2m) away from the wall to permit safe
pedestrian access to the aisles and access to emergency fire-fighting equipment (e.g., hoses and
extinguishers, mains, plumbing, power boxes, light switches, etc.) that may be located on a perimeter
wall.

Service aisles permit egress for mobile service equipment. They are not designated for the movement
of materials. Service aisles are typically 8 feet (2.4m) wide but may be wider if needed for service
requirements.

Overhead clearance in aisles used for the movement of production materials should be a minimum of
12 feet to allow for the unobstructed movement of trailer trains

Visual Factory (A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place)

• Establish and identify Pedestrian-only Aisles and Pedestrian/Powered Industrial-Truck Shared
Aisles.
• Establish Powered Industrial-Truck only Aisles.

Identify Pedestrian restricted areas
Identify vehicle and equipment parking and charging areas, (with yellow markings, department number
and powered industrial truck number). It is recommended that all in-plant vehicles operate with
headlights on.

Shared Pedestrian and PMHV Aisles - Minimum Aisle Width

"No stock" signs should be posted near aisle intersections and in areas where dunnage creates blind
spots.

Pedestrian
All pedestrians gaining access to a production facility using powered industrial trucks should be given
a brief training session.

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