OSHA Regulations
- Standard Number: 1910.178
- Standard Title: Powered Industrial Trucks.
- SubPart Number: N
- SubPart Title: Materials Handling and Storage
- Applicable Standard: Applicable Standard:
..1910.178(m)
(q) -
Maintenance of Industrial Trucks
Truck Operations.
(m)(1) Trucks shall not be
driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.
(m)(2) No person shall be allowed to stand or pass under the elevated
portion of any truck, whether loaded or empty.
(m)(3) Unauthorized personnel shall not be permitted to ride on powered
industrial trucks. A safe place to ride shall be provided where riding of
trucks is authorized.
(m)(4) The employer shall prohibit arms or legs from being placed between
the uprights of the mast or outside the running lines of the truck.
(m)(5)(i) When a
powered industrial truck is left unattended, load engaging means shall be fully
lowered, controls shall be neutralized, power shall be shut off, and brakes
set. Wheels shall be blocked if the truck is parked on an incline.
(m)(5)(ii) A powered industrial truck is unattended when the operator is 25 ft.
or more away from the vehicle which remains in his view, or whenever the
operator leaves the vehicle and it is not in his view.
..1910.178(m)(5)(iii) When the operator of an industrial truck is dismounted and within 25
ft. of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means shall be fully
lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement.
(m)(6) A safe distance shall be maintained from the edge of ramps or
platforms while on any elevated dock, or platform or freight car. Trucks shall
not be used for opening or closing freight doors.
(m)(7) Brakes shall be set and wheel blocks shall be in place to prevent
movement of trucks, trailers, or railroad cars while loading or unloading.
Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer during loading or
unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor. The flooring of trucks,
trailers, and railroad cars shall be checked for breaks and weakness before
they are driven onto.
(m)(8) There shall be sufficient headroom under overhead installations,
lights, pipes, sprinkler system, etc.
(m)(9) An overhead guard shall be used as protection against falling
objects. It should be noted that an overhead guard is intended to offer protection
from the impact of small packages, boxes, bagged material, etc., representative
of the job application, but not to withstand the impact of a falling capacity
load.
(m)(10) A load backrest extension shall be used whenever necessary to
minimize the possibility of the load or part of it from falling rearward.
..1910.178(m)(11) Only approved industrial trucks shall be used in hazardous locations.
(m)(12) Whenever a truck is equipped with vertical only, or vertical and
horizontal controls elevatable with the lifting carriage or forks for lifting
personnel, the following additional precautions shall be taken for the
protection of personnel being elevated.
(m)(12)(i) Use of a safety platform firmly secured to the lifting carriage
and/or forks.
(m)(12)(ii) Means shall be provided whereby personnel on the platform can shut
off power to the truck.
(m)(12)(iii) Such protection from falling objects as indicated necessary by the
operating conditions shall be provided.
(m)(14) Fire aisles,
access to stairways, and fire equipment shall be kept clear.
..1910.178(n) Traveling.
(n)(1) All traffic regulations shall be observed, including authorized plant
speed limits. A safe distance shall be maintained approximately three truck
lengths from the truck ahead, and the truck shall be kept under control at all
times.
(n)(2) The right of way shall be yielded to ambulances, fire trucks, or
other vehicles in emergency situations.
(n)(3) Other trucks traveling in the same direction at intersections, blind
spots, or other dangerous locations shall not be passed.
(n)(4) The driver shall be required to 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.
(n)(5) Railroad tracks shall be crossed diagonally wherever possible.
Parking closer than 8 feet from the center of railroad tracks is prohibited.
(n)(6) The driver shall be required to look in the direction of, and keep a
clear view of the path of travel.
(n)(7) Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly.
(n)(7)(i) When ascending or descending grades in excess of 10 percent, loaded
trucks shall be driven with the load upgrade.
..1910.178(n)(7)(iii) On all grades the load and load engaging means shall be tilted back
if applicable, and raised only as far as necessary to clear the road surface.
(n)(8) Under all travel conditions the truck shall be operated at a speed
that will permit it to be brought to a stop in a safe manner.
(n)(9) Stunt driving and horseplay shall not be permitted.
(n)(10) The driver shall be required to slow down for wet and slippery
floors.
(n)(11) Dockboard or bridgeplates, shall be properly secured before they are
driven over. Dockboard or bridgeplates shall be driven over carefully and
slowly and their rated capacity never exceeded.
(n)(12) Elevators shall be approached slowly, and then entered squarely after
the elevator car is properly leveled. Once on the elevator, the controls shall
be neutralized, power shut off, and the brakes set.
(n)(13) Motorized hand trucks must enter elevator or other confined areas
with load end forward.
..1910.178(n)(14) Running over loose objects on the roadway surface shall be avoided.
(n)(15) While negotiating turns, speed shall be reduced to a safe level by
means of turning the hand steering wheel in a smooth, sweeping motion. Except
when maneuvering at a very low speed, the hand steering wheel shall be turned
at a moderate, even rate.
..1910.178(o) Loading.
(o)(1) Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be handled. Caution shall
be exercised when handling off-center loads which cannot be centered.
(o)(2) Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled.
(o)(3) The long or high (including
multiple-tiered) loads which may affect capacity shall be adjusted.
(o)(4) Trucks equipped with
attachments shall be operated as partially loaded trucks when not handling a
load.
(o)(5) A load engaging means shall be
placed under the load as far as possible; the mast shall be carefully tilted
backward to stabilize the load.
..1910.178(o)(6) Extreme care shall be used
when tilting the load forward or backward, particularly when high tiering.
Tilting forward with load engaging means elevated shall be prohibited except to
pick up a load. An elevated load shall not be tilted forward except when the
load is in a deposit position over a rack or stack. When stacking or tiering,
only enough backward tilt to stabilize the load shall be used.
..1910.178
(p) Operation of the Truck.
(p)(1) If at any time a powered
industrial truck is found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way
unsafe, the truck shall be taken out of service until it has been restored to
safe operating condition.
(p)(2) Fuel tanks shall not be filled
while the engine is running. Spillage shall be avoided.
(p)(3) Spillage of oil or fuel shall
be carefully washed away or completely evaporated and the fuel tank cap
replaced before restarting engine.
(p)(4) No truck shall be operated
with a leak in the fuel system until the leak has been corrected.
(p)(5) Open flames shall not be used
for checking electrolyte level in storage batteries or gasoline level in fuel
tanks.
..1910.178
(q) Maintenance
of Industrial Trucks.
(q)(1) Any power-operated industrial
truck not in safe operating condition shall be removed from service. All
repairs shall be made by authorized personnel.
..1910.178(q)(2) No repairs shall be made in
Class I, II, and III locations.
(q)(3) Those repairs to the fuel and ignition systems of industrial trucks
which involve fire hazards shall be conducted only in locations designated for
such repairs.
(q)(4) Trucks in need of repairs to the electrical system shall have the
battery disconnected prior to such repairs.
(q)(5) All parts of any such industrial truck requiring replacement shall be
replaced only by parts equivalent as to safety with those used in the original
design.
(q)(6) Industrial trucks shall not be altered so that the relative positions
of the various parts are different from what they were when originally received
from the manufacturer, nor shall they be altered either by the addition of
extra parts not provided by the manufacturer or by the elimination of any
parts, except as provided in paragraph (q)(12) of this section. Additional
counterweighting of fork trucks shall not be done unless approved by the truck
manufacturer.
..1910.178(q)(7) Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service,
and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition
adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made
at least daily. Where industrial trucks are used on a round-the-clock basis,
they shall be examined after each shift. Defects when found shall be
immediately reported and corrected.
(q)(8) Water mufflers shall be filled daily or as frequently as is necessary
to prevent depletion of the supply of water below 75 percent of the filled
capacity. Vehicles with mufflers having screens or other parts that may become
clogged shall not be operated while such screens or parts are clogged. Any
vehicle that emits hazardous sparks or flames from the exhaust system shall
immediately be removed from service, and not returned to service until the
cause for the emission of such sparks and flames has been eliminated.
(q)(9) When the temperature of any part of any truck is found to be in
excess of its normal operating temperature, thus creating a hazardous
condition, the vehicle shall be removed from service and not returned to
service until the cause for such overheating has been eliminated.
(q)(10) Industrial trucks shall be kept in a clean condition, free of lint,
excess oil, and grease. Noncombustible agents should be used for cleaning
trucks. Low flash point (below 100 deg. F.) solvents shall not be used. High
flash point (at or above 100 deg. F.) solvents may be used. Precautions
regarding toxicity, ventilation, and fire hazard shall be consonant with the
agent or solvent used.
..1910.178(q)(12) Industrial trucks originally approved for the use of gasoline for
fuel may be converted to liquefied petroleum gas fuel provided the complete
conversion results in a truck which embodies the features specified for LP or
LPS designated trucks. Such conversion equipment shall be approved. The
description of the component parts of this conversion system and the
recommended method of installation on specific trucks are contained in the
"Listed by Report."
..1910.178(l) Operator Training.
(l)(1) Safe operation.
(l)(1)(i) 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 the training and evaluation specified in this
paragraph (l).
(l)(1)(ii) Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck
(except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator
has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except
as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).
(l)(2) Training program
implementation.
(l)(2)(i) Trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only:
(l)(2)(i)(A) Under the direct supervision of persons who have the knowledge,
training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence; and
(l)(2)(i)(B) Where such operation does not endanger the trainee or other
employees.
(l)(2)(ii) Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g.,
lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, 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.
(l)(2)(iii) All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons
who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial
truck operators and evaluate their competence.
(l)(3) Training program content.
Powered industrial truck operators shall receive
initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the employer
can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the
employer's workplace.
(l)(3)(i) Truck-related topics:
(l)(3)(i)(A) Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of
truck the operator will be authorized to operate;
(l)(3)(i)(B) Differences between the truck and the automobile;
(l)(3)(i)(C) Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what they
do, and how they work;
(l)(3)(i)(D) Engine or motor operation;
(l)(3)(i)(E) Steering and maneuvering;
(l)(3)(i)(F) Visibility (including restrictions due to loading);
(l)(3)(i)(G) Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations;
(l)(3)(i)(H) Vehicle capacity;
(l)(3)(i)(I) Vehicle stability;
(l)(3)(i)(J) Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be
required to perform;
(l)(3)(i)(K) Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries;
(l)(3)(i)(L) Operating limitations;
(l)(3)(i)(M) Any other operating instructions, warnings, or precautions listed in
the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee is being
trained to operate.
(l)(3)(ii) Workplace-related topics:
(l)(3)(ii)(A) Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated;
(l)(3)(ii)(B) Composition of loads to be carried and load stability;
(l)(3)(ii)(C) Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking;
(l)(3)(ii)(D) Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated;
(l)(3)(ii)(E) Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be
operated;
(l)(3)(ii)(F) Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated;
(l)(3)(ii)(G) Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's
stability;
(l)(3)(ii)(H) Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or
poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel
exhaust;
(l)(3)(ii)(I) Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the
workplace that could affect safe operation.
(l)(3)(iii) The requirements of this section.
(l)(4) Refresher training and
evaluation.
(l)(4)(i) Refresher training, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of
that training, shall be conducted as required by paragraph (l)(4)(ii) to ensure
that the operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate the powered
industrial truck safely.
(l)(4)(ii) Refresher training in relevant topics shall be provided to the
operator when:
(l)(4)(ii)(A) The operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe
manner;
(l)(4)(ii)(B) The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident;
(l)(4)(ii)(C) The operator has received an evaluation that reveals that the
operator is not operating the truck safely;
(l)(4)(ii)(D) The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck; or
(l)(4)(ii)(E) A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect
safe operation of the truck.
(l)(4)(iii) An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance
shall be conducted at least once every three years.
(l)(5) Avoidance of duplicative
training. If an operator has previously received training
in a topic specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this section, and such training is
appropriate to the truck and working conditions encountered, additional
training in that topic is not required if the operator has been evaluated and
found competent to operate the truck safely.
(l)(6) Certification.
The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as
required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the
operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the
identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.
(l)(7) Dates. The employer shall ensure that operators of powered industrial trucks
are trained, as appropriate, by the dates shown in the following table.
(l)(8) Appendix A to this section provides non-mandatory guidance to assist
employers in implementing this paragraph (l). This appendix does not add to,
alter, or reduce the requirements of this section.
