Electric forklifts are widely used in warehousing, manufacturing and logistics scenarios for material handling operations, and their operating zones often see mixed flow of working vehicles, on-site staff and temporarily piled cargos. Unplanned emergency escape routes may lead to evacuation blockage when unexpected risks happen, causing unnecessary personal injury and property loss. Reasonable layout of safe escape routes around electric forklift working areas is one of the core measures to promote overall on-site safety management.

First, carry out full-site pre-investigation and risk mapping before route planning. You need to walk through the entire electric forklift operating zone to record all fixed obstacles, sharp corners, high-frequency stacking areas, blind spots for forklift operators, and original emergency exit positions. Count the peak daily traffic of electric forklifts and the daily passing frequency of pedestrian passages near the zone, and make sure the preliminary drafted escape routes will not overlap with the high-frequency driving paths of electric forklifts as much as possible. All reserved escape passages shall not pass through areas with high risk of cargo collapse or frequent temporary loading and unloading operations.

Second, set standardized marking and physical isolation facilities for confirmed escape routes. Each escape route shall reserve no less than 1.8 meters of unobstructed clear width, and no protruding sundries, suspended low obstacles or temporary stacked items are allowed to occupy the passage space all year round. Use high-contrast, wear-resistant ground marking stickers to outline the full range of escape routes, and install waterproof, light-emitting indicator signs at turning points, intersections and position 20 meters away from each emergency exit. For areas that are easy to be blocked by forklift sight, add extra reflective prompt signs to remind passing staff of the escape direction. Flexible anti-collision barriers can be set up between the escape route and the adjacent forklift driving path to prevent operating electric forklifts from accidentally rushing into the evacuation passage.

Third, establish a regular inspection and dynamic optimization mechanism. Arrange special personnel to check the unobstructed status of all escape routes at least once a week, and timely clear the temporarily placed idle equipment, scattered cargos and other obstacles on the passage. When the layout of the forklift operating zone is adjusted, such as adding new storage areas or updating the electric forklift operation process, the escape route planning shall be modified synchronously, and all related personnel shall be notified of the new route layout in time. Organize no less than two escape drills every year, to help forklift operators and on-site pedestrians get familiar with the escape route direction, and improve the evacuation efficiency under emergency conditions. Scientifically planned escape routes around electric forklift operating zones can effectively avoid evacuation delays caused by sudden accidents, and steadily improve the overall safety level of the workplace.