Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: LIFTING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to falls from being lifted on the forks of powered industrial truck(s): a) Bead Plant - An employee was permitted to ride in a box fastened to a pallet on the forks of a forklift truck. The strength of the box and pallet were unknown, the box had not been fastened to the lifting carriage or forks, and the box had not been provided with a standard fall protection system, on or about 10/5/99. Among other methods, one feasible and accepted method to correct this hazard is to disallow this practice. If a situation requires employees to be lifted on platforms mounted on the forks of powered industrial truck(s), the hazards must be addressed as follows: The platform shall: 1. be sufficiently strong to support any load(s) which may be imposed on it, 2. be securely attached to the lifting carriage or forks, which shall be secured so they do not pivot upward, 3. be designed so that employees will not be exposed to an ingoing nip point, which can be created between the rear of the platform and the structure of the powered industrial truck, as the platform is raised and lowered, 4. be designed so that personnel on the platform are protected from moving parts of the truck, 5. be horizontal and centered and not tilted forward or rearward when elevated, 6. be moved in a smooth, steady fashion when personnel are on it, 7. be moved only when the personnel on it specifically request that it be moved, 8. be moved after it has been elevated, when there are personnel on it, only when there is a need for minor horizontal adjustments, 9. be provided with a fall protection system if it is elevated more than four (4) feet above the walking/working surface or is above or adjacent to dangerous equipment. If a guardrail system is used, it shall:a. consist of a toprail, approximately 42 inches in height, a midrail approximately 21 inches in height, and a toeboard if operating conditions necessitate such equipment, b. be provided with a toprail which will not deflect to less than 39 inches above the platform when a 200-pound force is imposed on it, c. be provided with a toprail which will not fail when a 200-pound force is imposed on it. 10. be provided with fall protection at the opening used for access and egress which provides protection equivalent to that of a standard guardrail system, and 11. have a slip-resistant surface. The truck shall: 1. be operated on a level surface and have firm and level footing, 2. be operated so that overhead obstructions are avoided, 3. be operated so that personnel do not come closer to overhead electric equipment than permitted by OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.333, 4. be equipped with overhead protection if operating conditions necessitate such protection, 5. have all operating controls set at neutral and the parking brake set when personnel are on the elevated platform, 6. have a qualified operator at the controls whenever personnel are on the elevated platform, 7. not be moved after the platform has been raised into position, while personnel are on the platform, except when minor horizontal adjustments of the platform must be made, and 8. be loaded to no more than one-half the capacity of the truck, as indicated on the nameplate of the truck on which the platform is used. Signage, per paragraph (c)(3) of OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.145, shall be utilized when needed to protect the elevated personnel from injury. An effective means of communication between the truckoperator and the personnel on the platform shall be provided. Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.