Fork Mounted Work Platform - There are specific requirements outlining forklift safety standards and the work platform should be constructed by the maker in order to conform. A customized made work platform can be made by a professional engineer so long as it also meets the design standards according to the applicable forklift safety standard. These customized made platforms need to be certified by a licensed engineer to maintain they have in fact been manufactured according to the engineers design and have followed all requirements. The work platform must be legibly marked to display the label of the certifying engineer or the manufacturer.
Certain information is required to be marked on the machine. For example, if the work platform is custom built, a unique code or identification number linking the certification and design documentation from the engineer must be visible. When the platform is a manufactured design, the part number or serial so as to allow the design of the work platform need to be marked in able to be linked to the manufacturer's documentation. The weight of the work platform if empty, in addition to the safety requirements which the work platform was built to meet is among other necessary markings.
The most combined weight of the devices, individuals and materials allowable on the work platform is known as the rated load. This information must also be legibly marked on the work platform. Noting the minimum rated capacity of the forklift which is needed so as to safely handle the work platform could be determined by specifying the minimum wheel track and forklift capacity or by the model and make of the lift truck that can be used along with the platform. The process for connecting the work platform to the forks or fork carriage should likewise be specified by a professional engineer or the maker.
Another requirement for safety ensures the flooring of the work platform has an anti-slip surface located not farther than 8 inches above the standard load supporting area of the forks. There should be a way offered so as to prevent the carriage and work platform from pivoting and turning.
Use Requirements
Just skilled operators are certified to work or operate these machinery for hoisting employees in the work platform. Both the lift truck and work platform ought to be in compliance with OHSR and in good working condition prior to the use of the system to raise employees. All manufacturer or designer directions that pertain to safe operation of the work platform must also be available in the workplace. If the carriage of the forklift is capable of pivoting or rotating, these functions need to be disabled to maintain safety. The work platform must be locked to the forks or to the fork carriage in the precise manner given by the work platform maker or a licensed engineer.
Various safety ensuring standards state that the weight of the work platform along with the maximum rated load for the work platform should not go over 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 required to be done at each and every task site at once previous to raising personnel in the work platform. This practice ensures the lift truck and be positioned and maintained on a proper supporting surface and likewise to be able to ensure there is adequate reach to locate the work platform to allow the job to be done. The trial practice also checks that the boom can travel vertically or that the mast is vertical.
A trial lift should be done at each job site at once prior to raising workers in the work platform to ensure the lift truck can be placed on an appropriate supporting surface, that there is adequate reach to position the work platform to allow the task to be finished, and that the mast is vertical or the boom travels vertically. Using the tilt function for the mast can be used so as to assist with final positioning at the job site and the mast needs to travel in a vertical plane. The test lift determines that sufficient clearance can be maintained between the work platform and the elevating mechanism of the lift truck. Clearance is even checked according to overhead obstructions, scaffolding, storage racks, as well as whichever nearby structures, as well from hazards like for instance live electrical wires and energized equipment.
A communication system between the lift truck driver and the work platform occupants need to be implemented to efficiently and safely control work platform operations. If there are several occupants on the work platform, one individual should be chosen to be the main individual accountable 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 primary electronic or voice means becomes disabled during work platform operations.
Safety standards dictate that employees are not to be transported in the work platform between job locations and the platform ought to be lowered to grade or floor level before any individual goes in or leaves the platform too. If the work platform does not have guardrail or adequate protection on all sides, each and every occupant must wear an appropriate fall protection system connected to a designated anchor spot on the work platform. Employees must perform functions from the platform surface. It is strictly prohibited they do not stand on the guardrails or make use of whichever mechanism to be able to increase the working height on the work platform.
Lastly, the forklift operator needs to remain within 10 feet or 3 metres of the lift truck controls and maintain visual contact with the lift truck and with the work platform. If the forklift platform is occupied the driver must abide by the above requirements and remain in communication with the work platform occupants. These information aid to maintain workplace safety for everybody.
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