Collisions between powered mobile equipment and workers is a common cause of serious injury and six-figure Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) fines. Recent examples:

• $200,000 fine against Ontario company for not protecting a loading dock worker who got run over by a shunt truck moving in reverse [EarthFresh Farms Inc., MOL Press Release, July 22, 2026].
• $130,000 fine against Ontario company for not deploying a signaler to guide a front-end loader operator with an obstructed view resulting in a fatal collision with a worker [1838107 Ontario Ltd., operating as Agro Acres, MOL Press Release, June 2, 2026].
• $100,000 fine against Saskatchewan industrial gases supplier for not implementing a traffic control plan at its facility after a worker got hit by a forklift [Air Liquide Canada Inc., Press Release, February 24, 2026].

Implement Traffic Control Plan to Prevent Forklift Collisions

Takeaway: Any site where powered mobile equipment (which we’ll refer to as “forklifts”) operates in proximity to workers and others on foot (“pedestrians”) should have a traffic control plan to prevent collisions. Such plans should provide for five basic controls.

1. Physical Separation of Forklifts from Pedestrians

The most important control is physical separation. Where practicable, forklifts and pedestrians should have separate travel routes. Pedestrian walkways should be clearly identified and, where necessary, protected with barriers, bollards, railings, or other physical controls.

2. Limited Pedestrian Access

Restrict pedestrian access to areas where forklifts operate, especially around loading docks, shipping and receiving areas, narrow aisles, blind corners, and locations where workers routinely enter or leave the facility.

3. Floor Markings, Warning Signs, & Supplemental Controls

Floor markings and signs warning of forklift traffic, blind intersections, and other hazards can help prevent collisions. But use them in addition to and not instead of physical separation. Other supplemental controls include convex mirrors, improved lighting, backup alarms, warning devices, cameras, and high-visibility apparel.

4. Traffic Control Rules

Forklift operators should be required to slow down and follow established procedures at intersections and other high-risk locations. There should also be clear rules for pedestrians like mandatory use of designated walkways and crossings. All personnel should receive training on the traffic control plan before they’re exposed to danger.

5. Traffic Control Personnel

Where required by OHS regulations, there should be properly trained and equipped traffic controllers or signalers in place to guide forklift operators with obstructed views and in other hazardous situations and locations.

Takeaway

Use the Forklift & Pedestrian Traffic Safety Checklist, available for download below, to determine whether your site has implemented effective and compliant traffic control measures to prevent forklift collisions. There’s also a five-minute floor test OHS coordinators can use. Simply walk through the site and ask nine questions:

1. Can I see exactly where pedestrians are supposed to walk?
2. Can I see exactly where forklifts are supposed to travel?
3. Where do the two paths cross?
4. What prevents a pedestrian from accidentally entering a forklift lane?
5. What prevents a forklift from striking someone the operator can’t see?
6. What happens at the busiest intersection?
7. What happens when the facility is unusually busy?
8. What happens when a forklift's load blocks the operator's view?
9. Would the system still work if a worker made a predictable mistake?