Can I ask a simple question, do you perceive their is a risk of an accident of collision between the FLT/VNA and the foot worker?

If so then a local risk assessment would be the deciding factor, I'd personally advise against whatever, keeping segregation. Because, people become deaf to warning buzzers and horns and blind to flashing lights.

I have first hand experience of this (but unfortunately no control over it at the time).

Learn from the mistakes of others and don't do it. Rearward vision from a VNA is terrible at the best of times and forward vision isn't much better if the forks are loaded.

VNA operators have their hands full with operating the controls without having to be constantly worrying about where other people are. I don't know what models you are using but I'm betting they're 7 tons plus and shift at quite a rate. (ETX - K150's by any chance?)

Also, there is the risk of falling loads and stuff getting pushed through from adjoining aisles

Agree with Mr.Flibble, there was a recent prosecution (some record company) and they got blasted lack of segregation, our policy is that no pedestrian enters the aisle where a VNA is operating or in the adjacent aisles. when the do enter a ailse to pick the chain off the aisle that they are working in and adjacent aisles to prevent VNA access.

Do you have a link to this prosecution dennish?

Very apt timing this thread. Due to the extra work- we have the floor level of the racking as pick areas. Currently we keep the people out of the part of the aisle the flt comes in, and a minimum of two bays the other side of the flt. Also, two bays either side on the adjacent aisle. I have reported instances where this has not been adhered to- 'pressure of work'- slows the pick down as well. So I am getting some resistance from the management to enforce what we have already.

Thanks

Andy

http://www.shponline.co....an-collision-was-obvio-1

Not a VNA truck but same principle

Thanks for all of the replies, which sort of reinforces my need to get the warehouse to do more, but I find no compelling argument with which to reinforce my case - except to say that we should simply ban it because it is "not safe".

Of course I accept the Workplace Regs (17) would be made to apply, but even the HSE see that pedestrians in warehouses are a different matter. This para from HSG76 (para. 503):

503 Within the warehousing site, complete separation of vehicles and pedestrians should be the first consideration. Where complete separation is not reasonably practicable, other control measures need to be implemented. For example, it is not always possible to fully separate pedestrians and industrial trucks within warehouses.

Of course this does not mean that we should automatically permit pedestrians and VNA trucks in the same aisle - but the problem is that it does not guide us that we should not either. In later paragraphs, HSG76 goes on to describe methods (including the primary consideration of complete separation) of controlling risks when people and trucks must work together. Now bearing in mind that this guidance is specifically targeted at warehouse operation and not generally at "workplace transport", as is the workplace regs, then you may see where the resistance from the local management team is coming from.

In examining their operations, they have applied all of the guidance and their risk assessment addresses all of the factors that I would have. The only area where we differ, is that my assessment of the risk posed by the trucks is higher than theirs. Their resistance to change being that just because their own HSE advisor has a different opinion to mine, does not necessarily make him wrong, or me right - especially given that we are both seem to cite the same regulations and guidance.

Don't get me at all wrong, I fully understand the nature of the law and of HSE guidance. I also wish to influence change for the better in this situation. But using emotional responses such as 'you stand there and see if you change your mind', is not a well reasoned argument and not a method I employ when dealing with senior management.

Is there any best practice information, perhaps from the distribution sector on the subject? Retail is sometimes not helpful as it tends to look at risks in the front-of-shop movements where members of the public may be.

Sometimes the 'you stand there and see if you change your mind' is the only approach that works.

I have had to get them down to the Warehouse floor many times simply so they can appreciate the risk first hand. Getting them out of the 'product comes in, product goes out', 'I've got my KPI's' mindset is very hard.

They do sensors the fit to the trucks which will cut them out if they detect pedestrians, Maybe that's the answer:

http://www.modendiesel.i...elines_VNA_en_E_1012.pdf - page 39-40

You could try a back door approach. Speak to who does the warehouse planning for pick locations and layout. See if the stock can be moved to another location easily or if the pick flow can be changed, they maybe able to give you a sloution that you can put forward.