Fork Mounted Work Platform - There are specific requirements outlining lift truck safety standards and the work platform must be made by the manufacturer to conform. A customized designed work platform can be designed by a licensed engineer as long as it likewise satisfies the design standards according to the applicable lift truck safety requirements. These custom-made designed platforms need to be certified by a professional engineer to maintain they have in actuality been manufactured according to the engineers design and have followed all standards. The work platform needs to be legibly marked to show the label of the certifying engineer or the manufacturer.
There is some particular information's which are considered necessary to be make on the machinery. One example for custom-made machinery is that these need a unique code or identification number linking the certification and design documentation from the engineer. When the platform is a manufactured design, the serial or part number so as to allow the design of the work platform ought to be marked in able to be linked to the manufacturer's documentation. The weight of the work platform if empty, together with the safety requirements that the work platform was built to meet is amongst other necessary markings.
The rated load, or likewise called the most combined weight of the tools, individuals and materials allowable on the work platform should be legibly marked on the work platform. Noting the minimum rated capacity of the forklift which is required so as to safely handle the work platform can be determined by specifying the minimum wheel track and lift truck capacity or by the make and model of the lift truck which could be utilized along with the platform. The process for connecting the work platform to the fork carriage or the forks should also be specified by a professional engineer or the manufacturer.
Other safety requirements are there to ensure the floor of the work platform has an anti-slip surface. This should be positioned no farther than 8 inches more than the regular load supporting area of the forks. There should be a way given so as to prevent the work platform and carriage from pivoting and rotating.
Use Requirements
The forklift must be used by a trained operator who is certified by the employer to be able to use the apparatus for hoisting staff in the work platform. The lift truck and the work platform should both be in compliance with OHSR and in good condition prior to the application of the system to raise workers. All producer or designer instructions that pertain to safe utilization of the work platform must also be obtainable in the workplace. If the carriage of the lift truck is capable of pivoting or revolving, these functions should be disabled to maintain safety. The work platform needs to be locked to the forks or to the fork carriage in the particular way given by the work platform producer or a licensed engineer.
Other safety ensuring requirements state that the weight of the work platform combined with the maximum rated load for the work platform should not go beyond one third of the rated capacity of a rough terrain forklift or one half the rated capability of a high lift truck for the reach and configuration being used. A trial lift is needed to be performed at each and every task location instantly previous to lifting workers in the work platform. This process ensures the lift truck and be placed and maintained on a proper supporting surface and likewise so as to guarantee there is adequate reach to position the work platform to allow the job to be done. The trial process likewise checks that the boom can travel vertically or that the mast is vertical.
A test lift must be carried out at every task site right away before lifting staff in the work platform to ensure the lift truck can be situated on an appropriate supporting surface, that there is adequate reach to locate the work platform to allow the task to be completed, and that the mast is vertical or the boom travels vertically. Utilizing the tilt function for the mast could be utilized so as to assist with final positioning at the task site and the mast needs to travel in a vertical plane. The test lift determines that enough clearance could be maintained between the elevating mechanism of the forklift and the work platform. Clearance is also checked in accordance with storage racks, overhead obstructions, scaffolding, as well as whichever nearby structures, as well from hazards like for example live electrical wires and energized machine.
A communication system between the lift truck driver and the work platform occupants must be implemented in order to efficiently and safely control work platform operations. If there are many occupants on the work platform, one individual need to be chosen to be the main person responsible to signal the forklift driver with work platform motion requests. A system of hand and arm signals must be established as an alternative mode of communication in case the main electronic or voice means becomes disabled during work platform operations.
In accordance with safety standards, staff must not be transferred in the work platform between separate task locations. The work platform ought to be lowered so that personnel can leave the platform. If the work platform does not have railing or sufficient protection on all sides, each occupant needs to have on an appropriate fall protection system attached to a designated anchor spot on the work platform. Workers must carry out functions from the platform surface. It is strictly prohibited they do not stand on the guardrails or use whichever tools so as to increase the working height on the work platform.
Lastly, the lift truck driver is required to remain within 10 feet or 3 metres of the lift truck controls and maintain visual contact with the work platform and with the lift truck. If the lift truck platform is occupied the driver must abide by the above requirements and remain in contact with the work platform occupants. These instructions aid to maintain workplace safety for everyone.
Click to Download the pdf