OSHA Update - Powered Pallet Trucks

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Beatrix Curtis
6 years ago
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1 Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc. June 2006 OSHA Update - Powered Pallet Trucks You have to train your forklift operators in a formal classroom setting and hands-on training courses using each style of forklift that your company owns. This training does not exclude powered pallet trucks or manual push high lift jacks; you need to train your operators on these style trucks also. OSHA regulation (L)(i) states that the employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of training course (L)(ii) Training shall consist of a combination of Formal instruction (e.g. lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, videotape and written material), Practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and Evaluation of the operator s performance in the workplace. I am often amazed how many times we do powered industrial truck training and when I get to a customer s location to train the operators on a sit-down or a narrow aisle forklift, I see a powered pallet truck sitting off to the side. I then ask the customer if he/she lets his employees use that truck also. The most common response is "all the time." I then inform the customer that we also will have to train the employees on that class of truck. The next response is: "Really, I didn t know we had to train people to use that, it s so simple to use." The problem here is that it s not how simple it is to use, but are we using it safely. What Is a Powered Pallet Truck? A powered pallet truck can be a walk-along style or ride-on style (1 of 7)12/17/2010 2:30:01 PM

2 powered pallet truck. They use an industrial battery to power the pallet truck down the aisle. Well, the most popular ones lift palletized loads about 6-8 inches off the ground and transport loads from one spot to another. You cannot stack loads with this type of truck. There are pallet trucks with a mast on the front that can lift loads in the air, much like a sit-down or narrow aisle stand-up forklift. This type of mast could also have a reach mechanism on it with straddle outriggers on them. Another pallet type truck that is out there is a manual push type stacker. There is no motor to propel the truck down the aisle. It does, however, have a mast on the front so you can lift loads in the air up to 6-10 feet or more. Do we still have to train on this type of truck even if it doesn t have an electric motor to move it around? The answer is yes! ASME B states that only authorized operators who have been properly trained are permitted to operate a manually propelled high lift industrial truck. Your employer must train you and show that you are authorized to operate this style of lift truck. ASME is not OSHA. They have no authority to fine a business. They are the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, who determine basically how things should be built to certain engineering standards. Another group is ANSI, the American National Standard Institute. All forklifts leave the factory meeting a set standard and this can be seen on the forklift s nameplate or data tag. Keep in mind that OSHA mirrors ASME/ANSI standards; in other words, if OSHA doesn t have a law for something, they will refer to ASME/ANSI, and if ASME/ANSI requires training to be done as in the case for the manual push high lift jack, then you could receive a fine from OSHA under the General Duty Clause 5(A)(1) of the OSHA act if you do not do the training. Some Safety Rules to Follow If the pallet truck does not have a platform on it so you can ride on the truck, then you do not ride on a non-rider pallet truck. If there is a decal on the pallet truck that reads, "NO RIDING," then you do not sit or stand on that truck because you do not feel like walking that day. You only ride on a pallet truck that has a platform on it to protect your feet. Never hang your foot off the side of the platform; horrible crushing injuries can result from this. With a walking style pallet truck, the majority of times the truck will be trailing behind you. You need to stand off to the side when walking with these. Do NOT have the truck directly behind you; it can catch your foot or ankle and cause serious injury to you. Come to a complete stop with the unit before you change directions. Many times I have observed trainees change direction and they will get in front of a moving pallet truck and then reverse direction. There is a potential of getting pinned against a fixed object, which can cause serious injury or death. (2 of 7)12/17/2010 2:30:01 PM

3 Make sure the safety switch on top of your handle is working properly. Never put yourself in a position to where the potential of an injury can occur. Pre-shift or daily inspections are required for powered pallet trucks. This allows an operator to check their truck over before it gets taken into service and to list any problems with the truck. If a problem exists, remove the key or follow your lockout/tagout procedures, then report the problem to a supervisor immediately. Do not work on any powered industrial trucks unless you are trained and authorized. If your pallet truck has a mast on it, then remember that all forklifts with a mast on them are very unstable when lifting loads in the air. Avoid high load turns; make sure your loads are stable. Remember, the operator is responsible for the loads they carry, even if they did not stack the pallet. If load is unstable, then re-stack it, wrap it, or band it. Watch for overhead objects when lifting. Only lift when you are in front of a rack or stack. Never travel any distances with your mast in the air. Know where your outriggers are if your pallet truck is equipped with them. You could bump a rack or another pallet with them. If the truck is trailing behind you, keep in mind that you have about 6 feet of truck behind you. Before you exit an aisle, don t turn too soon. Be sure to give the trailing pallet truck enough clearance so that you don t hit the racks. Always obey all warning decals on the truck and make sure they are always in legible condition. There are many more safety rules to follow when using powered pallet jacks. Always read the operator s manual of the truck that you are operating; it is the best source of factory information you can have. Employers and operators, please do not treat powered pallet trucks lightly; this style of forklift can injure you. Remember employers, if you own even one powered pallet truck or a high lift manual push jack, then you must train your operators. For information and pricing regarding our forklift training courses, please contact Dave x (3 of 7)12/17/2010 2:30:01 PM

4 Mast Lubrication Guidelines Class I, IV & V Product with Masts Masts used on various models of lift trucks can experience some flaking of paint or metal of the hot rolled mast channels during break-in of the contact area of the mast and roller. This is normal. To minimize the possibility of loose particles falling, it is recommended that a light coat of heavy-duty grease be applied to all tracking areas of the carriage and mast rollers. While the lube does not prevent flaking, it will help to trap the particles to minimize their falling down. Masts are not lubed prior to shipping to prevent them from being contaminated with dirt and other debris during transit. When applying the grease (multi-purpose), make sure the surfaces are clean and dry and free of any loose debris. Do not use steam or pressure washing to clean the areas to be lubed, as these processes can contaminate chains and rollers and reduce their internal lubrication. When using chemical cleaners, please follow the manufacturer s recommendation for the safe use and disposal of their product. Do not apply excessive amounts of grease. The rollers should still roll, not slide after the channel has been lubed. To properly access all areas of the rail, it will be necessary to extend the mast channels and carriage. Please observe safe blocking and securing of the mast to prevent injury. Please refer to the appropriate repair manual for guidelines on safe blocking of the mast. Periodically, the lube should be removed and reapplied when it becomes contaminated with flakes or other debris. After removal of the lube, the tracking areas should be wire brushed to remove ridges and partially loosened scale. The illustrations below are with an FSV mast. However the guidelines apply to all mast types such as V, FV, FSV or QFV. Note: Some applications with airborne abrasive particles should not have the mast rails lubed as this will only trap material that will accelerate the wear and tear of the mast. Examples of these applications are foundries, masonry products, abrasive manufacturing, etc. (4 of 7)12/17/2010 2:30:01 PM

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6 Toyota Marks Milestone Toyota Material Handling marked the production of its 250,000th lift truck this week at their manufacturing facility in Columbus, Indiana. Toyota s first lift truck rolled off the line at the factory in Since then, the plant has grown six-fold from its initial employment to nearly 800 associates, increased production more than ten-fold and tripled in physical size, enabling Toyota to continue to secure its position as the leading domestic forklift manufacturer. Train-the-Trainer Class Schedule Thompson and Johnson will continue to offer our popular "Train-the- Trainer" course this month on June 20 in our Albany branch, and June 26 in our Syracuse facility. Please contact Dave Bennett directly for additional information or to schedule a session. Dave may be reached at extension 4146 or at dbennett@thompsomandjohnson.com. Toyota Material Handling recently announced the introduction of the new, state-of-the-art, 7-Series Walkie Stackers. These adjustable base leg stackers are ergonomically advanced and are ideally suited for the varying pedestrian applications found in many manufacturing environments and retail store operations. These highly competitive products are available in up to 2500 lb. capacity models, with lifting heights as high as 143 inches. Please contact your local Thompson and Johnson representative for additional information on these versatile, highly maneuverable and costeffective material handling solutions. SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY LEASE RATES STARTING AT $139/MONTH! If you would like additional information about items mentioned in this newsletter, call us at (315) or send to sales@thompsonandjohnson.com. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please respond here. Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc Fly Road East Syracuse, NY (315) Published by Data Key Communications, LLC Powered by (6 of 7)12/17/2010 2:30:01 PM

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Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc.

Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc. August 2006 Forklift Accidents A forklift tipover is the number one accident involving a forklift. OSHA s Office of Data Analysis examined 53 investigative case files