Skip to content 
The Function and Uses of Forklift LED Lights
Forklift lights are essential, and available in a lot of variety. Each forklift light has a particular purpose or function. There are a lot of light combinations you can use on a forklift.
Yet, it can be challenging to understand the role of each light. So, let’s talk about whether you need a forklift light and the relevance of what it signals.
Headlights and taillights, sometimes called brake lights, are standard lights on a forklift. When equipped with these illumination choices, forklifts have their headlights on the front.
At the same time, their tail lights get installed on the rear or back. You can use three standard forklift lighting attachments in various situations. Strobe lights, red-side pedestrian lights, and blue pedestrian spotlights are essential for forklifts.
Strobe lights are ubiquitous. These lights are on the back, front, and sides of the forklift, so their role is to make the forklift secure.
Are any of these forklift lights suitable for your needs? The straightforward answer is, “It depends.” Your specific company will dictate which of the many lights you put on forklifts.
Types and Uses of Forklift Lights:
- Forklift Headlights:
According to OSHA rule 1910.178(h)(2), lighting must be installed on the vehicle if the light is less than 2 lumens ft². In other words, you need headlights if you do business outside or at night.
If the lighting within your reach needs to be improved, mount these lights. The headlights of a forklift play a role in ensuring safe and efficient operations. These headlights are mounted on the front of the forklift.
Headlights illuminate the path allowing the operator to navigate in dark conditions. Forklift headlights are another piece of equipment that can improve one’s vision. It may also assist pedestrians and drivers in seeing the forklift in low light.
- Forklift Tail or Brake Lights:
Most of the time, forklifts are equipped with taillights and brake lights. However, OSHA will force you to retrofit your truck with tail or brake lights.
The forklift must be equipped with other than such lights from the manufacturer. The tail and brake lights of a forklift serve essential safety functions.
The tail light is mounted at the forklift’s rear and remains on whenever the forklift is in operation.
These lights help other workers in the area to see the forklift, making it easier to avoid collisions. They also help the forklift operator know who is behind them when reversing.
Forklifts are equipped with tail and brake lights showing the forklift’s movement. These lights are positioned to allow the forklift to be seen from behind.
Adding tail and brake lights to forklift in high vehicles area increase safety. These lights alert people following a forklift if the driver slows down or stops.
- Forklift Strobe Lights, Red Side Pedestrian Lights, and Blue Spotlights:
OSHA does not require strobe lights, blue spotlights, or red side lights on forklifts. Putting these lights on may help in safety practices in particular work settings.
These lights are intended to function as an approach or warning light. When a forklift operates, its strobe lights illuminate, providing extra visual cues.
Strobe light states forklift begins moving, changing speeds, or changing directions. When the forklift is not operating, the strobe lights may switch off.
Different strobe light designs may increase safety in specific applications. They are only sometimes successful at sustaining safe practices across all activities.
Blue pedestrian lights are a piece of supplemental that may add more protection. An approaching forklift gets alerted by a blue pedestrian light, which is beneficial.
Red Side Walkway Lights connect to the forklift and produce two red lights in each direction. If the Red Side Light is present, the chance of being hit by the rear-end swing of a turning lift truck is reduced.
These lights may provide a different solution for some applications. Specific scenarios when using these auxiliary lights may result in worse safety.
Before deciding whether to place lights on your forklift, do a comprehensive examination. This process guarantees and secures the working environment, so make the right decision.
As mentioned, operators should check daily to verify whether their forklifts have lights. This should be done regardless of the kind of forklift lights used.
OSHA does not mandate putting these lights on your forklift. So there you are responsible for ensuring excellent and safe working.
