SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL
Topic:
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INDUSTRIAL TRUCK/LIFT TRUCK
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Section:
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INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
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Number:
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XX.6.A
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Date Issued:
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Dec. 18, 1992
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Date Revised:
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PURPOSE:
To define criteria and procedures for the safe use of industrial lift trucks.
REFERENCES:
- California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Paragraph 3649, Paragraph 3650, 3653, 3655, 3657, 3660, 3661, 3662, 3663, 3664.
POLICY:
- The Division of Occupational Safety and Health of the Personnel Department shall oversee and assist departments in providing necessary training as required.
- Every person operating an industrial lift truck shall be required to have a current license to operate the vehicle.
- Training shall include areas covered within this policy and a practical performance evaluation.
DEFINITIONS:
High-Lift Truck. An industrial truck equipped with a power-operated lifting device used for the transportation, tiering and posting.
Industrial Truck. A mobile power-driven truck used for hauling, pushing, lifting or tiering materials where normal work is normally confined within the boundaries of a place of employment.
Rider Truck. An industrial truck that is designed to be controlled by a riding operator.
ROPS. Rollover protective structure (including protective frames and protective enclosures).
GENERAL:
- All name plates and model number, type designation and load capacity markings shall be kept in legible condition and readily visible to the operator.
- When trucks are operated in areas of lighting of less than 2 footcandles per square foot they must be provided with lights.
- When loading trailers disconnected from their tractor, the trailers must be secured with auxiliary jacks and wheels chocked.
- Vehicles manufactured after April 1, 1979 must have brakes which are automatically applied when the operator leave the truck.
- All loads must be within the lifting/operating range of the truck at all times.
- Loads shall be secured at all times to prevent from sliding.
- Counterweights and forks shall be secured so that they cannot be dislodged.
- Seat belts shall be provided where rollover protection is installed.
- Vehicle equipped with rollover protection shall have a overhead guard.
ELEVATING EMPLOYEES:
When it is necessary to elevate an employee the following must be accomplished.
- The lifting platform shall be no less than 24" by 24'.
- The platform must be secured to the forks or mast.
- The platform must have guardrails and toeboards.
- The platform floor cannot have spaces or holes greater than on inch and have a slip resistant surface.
- Place truck in neutral and set parking brake.
- Never travel with employees on the work platform other than to make minor movements.
OPERATING RULES:
Operating rules must be posted for industrial/lift trucks for all employees to see. They must include:
- Only trained and authorized drivers are permitted to operate such vehicles.
- Stunt driving and horseplay are prohibited.
- No riders shall be permitted on vehicles unless provided with adequate riding facilities.
- Employees shall not ride on the forks of lift trucks.
- Employees shall not place any part of their bodies outside the running lines of an industrial truck or between mast uprights or other parts of the truck where shear or crushing hazards exist.
- Employees shall not be allowed to stand, pass, or work under the elevated portion of any industrial truck, loaded or empty, unless it is effectively blocked to prevent it from falling.
- . Drivers shall check the vehicle at least once per shift, and if it is found to be unsafe, the matter shall be reported immediately to a foreman or mechanic. Check tires, horn, lights, battery, controller, brakes, steering mechanism, cooling system and the lift system of fork lifts (forks, chains, cable, and limit switches).
- No truck shall be operated with a leak in the fuel system.
- Vehicles shall not exceed the authorized or safe speed.
- The driver shall slow down and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision is obstructed. If the load being carried obstructs forward view, the driver shall be required to travel with the load trailing.
- Operators shall look in the direction of travel and shall not move a vehicle until certain that all persons are in the clear.
- Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly.
- The forks shall always be carried as low as possible, consistent with safe operations.
- When leaving a vehicle unattended, the power shall be shut off, brakes set, the mast brought to the vertical position, and forks left in the down position.
- When the operator of an industrial truck is dismounted and within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of the truck which remains in the operator's view, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement.
- Vehicles shall not be operated on floors, sidewalks doors, or platforms that will not safely support the loaded vehicle.
- Prior to driving onto trucks, trailers and railroad cars, their flooring shall be checked for breaks and other structural weakness.
- Trucks shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacity.
- A loaded vehicle shall not be moved until the load is safe and secure.
- Extreme care shall be taken when tilting loads. Tilting forward with the load engaging means elevated shall be prohibited except when picking up a load. Elevated loads shall not be tilted forward except when the load is being deposited onto a storage rack or equivalent. When stacking or tiering, backward tilt shall be limited to that necessary to stabilize the load.
EMPLOYEE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:
- Securely fasten your seat belt if the tractor has a ROPS.
- Where possible, avoid operating the tractor near ditches, embankments, and holes.
- Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, and on rough, slick, or muddy surfaces.
- Stay off slopes too steep for safe operation.
- Watch where you are going, especially at row ends, on roads, and around trees.
- Do not permit others to ride.
- Operate the tractor smoothly - no jerky turns, starts, or stops.
- Hitch only to the drawbar and hitch points recommended by tractor manufacturers.
- When tractor is stopped, set brakes securely and use park lock if available.
- Whether your truck is loaded or empty, always lower the forks to not more than 6 inches from the floor before traveling.
- In connection with docks, be sure that brakes are set and that chocks or blocks are placed against highway truck, trailer and railroad car wheel to prevent movement while you are loading or unloading. It is the Forklift Operator's responsibility to insure that the chocks or blocks are in place.