In this operation, the pedestrian aisle crosses the forklift lane where lifts enter to remove products from a stretch wrapper, creating a potentially dangerous area where drivers, distracted as they load or unload pallets, could injure workers on foot.
A simple but effective 2-gate system is utilized to manage traffic in this area. Pedestrian gates are normally open to foot traffic (opposing each other to effectively block of the forklift entrance). Pedestrians have the right-of-way except when the system is triggered.
When a forklift needs to access the stretch wrapper the forklift driver stops at a pull cord switch to activate the system. The system scans the pedestrian aisle to detect foot traffic. If no traffic is detected, the system sounds an audible warning, flashes warning lights, and opens the gates. Both gates swing in front of their perspective pedestrian aisle effectively blocking pedestrian access to the area.
Once the forklift driver has retrieved their materials and backs out of the area they again pull the cord switch to close the system. Once closed the pedestrian traffic resumes.
This system may utilize a combination of the following components to help manage a dangerous intersection or aisle.
These gate systems come with push-buttons as the standard activation method, with bright flashing red LED lights on the top of the arm for further visibility. They swing easily open and will stop when they meet an obstacle. They synchronize with motion sensors and any forklift gates utilized with the system
Forklift gates raise and lower as triggered by various processes - the activation of a pedestrian gate, controls via motion detection, pull switches, ground loops, or other methods as needed per application.
Steel guard rails are not necessarily part of every forklift safety system, but are frequently used as part of the system to help manage and separate foot and vehicle traffic. Guard rails can be specified from ultra-heavy-duty to simple hand rails, to fit the needs of a particular application.
The typical AisleCop® system utilizes motion sensors to detect foot and vehicle traffic. These sensors can be mounted on either the forklift, on pedestrian gates, on walls, on racks, on guard rails, or at other spots as needed to monitor the protected zone.
AisleCop® systems are safety tools that help define and control access to forklift aisles. They do not provide 100% protection from industrial traffic accidents. AisleCop® gates do not stop forklifts or other industrial traffic. Other critical factors, such as system maintenance, driver compliance, and pedestrian/individual compliance, enforcement of crossing lanes, and assessment of safe crossings are the responsibility of individuals and companies.