What is proper etiquette when using a forklift in an environment with pedestrians?

Maintaining eye contact with pedestrians and yielding the right-of-way is the correct practice when operating a forklift in an environment shared with pedestrians. This approach significantly enhances safety, as it allows the forklift operator to ensure that pedestrians are aware of the forklift's presence and are ready to yield if necessary. Eye contact serves as a communication tool that helps the operator gauge pedestrian awareness and responsiveness, reducing the risk of accidents.

In addition to yielding the right-of-way, maintaining controlled speeds and being attentive to the surroundings further promotes a safe operating environment. Proper etiquette includes being cautious and considerate of pedestrian movement, therefore ensuring everyone's safety in the work area.

Utilizing practices such as driving faster to minimize interaction can lead to dangerous situations, as it increases the likelihood of accidents and diminishes the operator's ability to react to sudden movements from pedestrians. Ignoring pedestrians can lead to severe injuries or fatalities if a collision were to occur. Sounding the horn can be helpful under certain circumstances; however, relying solely on this action without eye contact and awareness does not adequately ensure safety when navigating through pedestrian areas.