Forklift Tricolor Rear Light

Adding safety lights to a forklift can support good operations in some environments. Although not required by OSHA, strobe and blue spotlights and red side pedestrian lights may help improve safety in certain operations.

These lights are found on the back, front and sides of a forklift. Each light communicates a different function for safe operations.

Brake or Tail Lights

Many forklifts come from the factory without brake or tail lights, so if you’re in an environment with a lot of foot traffic, adding these safety devices to your lift truck is a good idea. Tail/brake lights indicate that the forklift is in operation, and they make the vehicle visible from the rear. They’re especially useful in areas with heavy pedestrian or vehicle traffic, since they let other workers know that the forklift is in motion and that it might be slowing down or stopping suddenly.

A blue pedestrian spotlight projects Forklift Tricolor Rear Light a bright blue light 10-20 feet in front of the forklift to warn pedestrians that they’re approaching an oncoming lift truck. They’re ideal for noisy environments or work zones with blind intersections, where a bright light can help prevent collisions between the forklift and pedestrians.

Strobe lights, blue pedestrian spotlights, and red side pedestrian lights aren’t required by OSHA, but they can improve safety in certain environments. These lights serve mainly as approach or warning lights, and they can be very effective in noisy environments or when working in tight spaces with blind corners. If you choose to add these safety lights to your forklift, be sure to include them in your pre-shift inspections and train your operators on how they’re meant to be used. In some cases, these lights may actually decrease safety by distracting workers or disturbing their vision.

Strobe Lights

The safety lights flash intermittently to alert pedestrians and other forklift operators of the vehicle’s presence. They’re more effective than warning alarms that can blend in with the noise of other machinery in a large warehouse environment. They’re also more visible than a standard headlight. Forklift safety lights may be installed on the front, rear or sides of the machine.

A blue pedestrian spotlight, mounted on the overhead guard’s left and right side, shines a bright light 10-20 feet in front of the forklift to warn pedestrians about an oncoming lift truck. It’s especially useful when you operate your forklift in areas with blind intersections. It’s a lot cheaper to install these safety lights on your forklift than it is to pay for an OSHA violation.

A red zone light mounted on the forklift’s rear, illuminates two red beams on each side to indicate the area that pedestrians must stay behind when approaching the lift truck. This feature helps prevent foot injuries due to rear end swing and collisions with a turning forklift. This type of forklift light can be combined with a blue front forklift light and a blue rear forklift light to create a 3 sided NO GO zone around your vehicle. This is one of the most effective ways to avoid forklift accidents. Inspect your forklift lights at the beginning of each shift to ensure they’re functioning properly.

Blue Spotter Lights

Forklift safety lights play an important role in a variety of types of forklift usage or operation. They are usually located on the rear, front and side of a forklift and are meant to help improve safety in certain environments. It’s essential to only buy top quality safety lights for your forklifts as cheaper versions are prone to failure which can lead to costly repairs or even injury. Always look for a UL rating, as this indicates that your chosen safety light meets stringent industry standards.

Blue spotter lights shine a bright blue light at the ground in front or behind a forklift when it is in operation. This alerts pedestrians of the forklift’s presence and helps prevent collisions. These forklift safety lights can be key-activated or travel direction-activated and are available in a variety of color options.

This type of forklift safety lighting is popular with both operators and pedestrians because it provides a clear and unobtrusive warning system. It is especially useful for forklifts operating in tight or narrow spaces with limited visibility. The forklift blue safety light also works well in environments with a lot of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, as it informs those behind the forklift that it is slowing down or stopping. Forklift Tricolor Rear Light In addition to being used on forklifts, these lights are a great option to have mounted on rider forklifts, order pickers, stand up reach trucks, tuggers and tow tractors.

Red Side Lights

Red side pedestrian lights illuminate the line that pedestrians need to stay behind when approaching the sides of your lift. This reduces the risk of getting hit by the rear end swing of a turning lift or having their feet run over. These lights can also be used around other equipment like scissor lifts to show pedestrians where it is safe to walk. The LED warning light installs easily and comes with all the necessary hardware to adjust to set a safe zone for any size machine.

The newest LED light from Grote is both programmable and customizable. It offers 18 field-selectable flash patterns and 2 timing phases. It also has an ambient light sensor that automatically dims the lights based on its surroundings, increasing their visibility when needed most.

Forklifts are used in a variety of different environments and conditions. The type of lights you choose for your forklift will depend on the types of operations you are conducting. The three most common forklift safety lights are brake or tail lights, strobe lights and red pedestrian spotlights. These forklift safety accessories are not required by OSHA but they can improve the safety of your operation and help keep your employees safe. If you are unsure of what forklift safety lighting accessories to purchase for your company, consult with a specialist or ask your forklift service provider.