Fork Mounted Work Platform - For the manufacturer to follow requirements, there are certain requirements outlining the standards of forklift and work platform safety. Work platforms could be custom made so long as it satisfies all the design criteria in accordance with the safety requirements. These custom designed platforms should be certified by a professional engineer to maintain they have in truth been made according to the engineers design and have followed all standards. The work platform should be legibly marked to show the label of the certifying engineer or the manufacturer.
Specific information is required to be marked on the equipment. For instance, if the work platform is custom made, a unique code or identification number linking the certification and design documentation from the engineer has to be visible. When the platform is a manufactured design, the part number or serial to be able to allow the design of the work platform must be marked in able to be associated to the manufacturer's documentation. The weight of the work platform while empty, together with the safety standard that the work platform was built to meet is among other vital markings.
The maximum combined weight of the devices, people and supplies acceptable on the work platform is called the rated load. This information must also be legibly marked on the work platform. Noting the minimum rated capacity of the forklift that is required to be able to safely handle the work platform can be determined by specifying the minimum wheel track and forklift capacity or by the make and model of the lift truck which can be utilized together with the platform. The method for attaching the work platform to the fork carriage or the forks must likewise be specified by a licensed engineer or the producer.
Another requirement intended for safety guarantees the flooring of the work platform has an anti-slip surface situated not farther than 8 inches more than the normal load supporting area of the forks. There should be a way provided so as to prevent the work platform and carriage from pivoting and revolving.
Use Requirements
The forklift needs to be used by a qualified driver who is certified by the employer to be able to utilize the apparatus for raising employees in the work platform. The work platform and the lift truck should both be in compliance with OHSR and in satisfactory condition previous to the application of the system to hoist employees. All producer or designer directions which relate to safe operation of the work platform should likewise be accessible in the workplace. If the carriage of the lift truck is capable of pivoting or rotating, these functions have to be disabled to maintain safety. The work platform has to be secured to the forks or to the fork carriage in the precise manner given by the work platform manufacturer or a professional engineer.
Various safety ensuring standards state that the weight of the work platform combined with the maximum rated load for the work platform should not exceed one third of the rated capacity of a rough terrain lift truck or one half the rated capability of a high forklift for the configuration and reach being utilized. A trial lift is considered necessary to be done at every task location at once prior to lifting staff in the work platform. This practice ensures the forklift and be situated and maintained on a proper supporting surface and also to guarantee there is sufficient reach to locate the work platform to allow the job to be done. The trial process even checks that the mast is vertical or that the boom can travel vertically.
A test lift should be performed at every job location immediately previous to hoisting staff in the work platform to guarantee the lift truck can be situated on an appropriate supporting surface, that there is sufficient reach to position the work platform to allow the task to be done, and that the mast is vertical or the boom travels vertically. Utilizing the tilt function for the mast could be used to be able to assist with final positioning at the job location and the mast has to travel in a vertical plane. The test lift determines that sufficient clearance could be maintained between the elevating mechanism of the forklift and the work platform. Clearance is also checked according to storage racks, overhead obstructions, scaffolding, as well as whatever surrounding structures, as well from hazards like live electrical wires and energized device.
Systems of communication ought to be implemented between the forklift driver and the work platform occupants to safely and efficiently manage operations of the work platform. If there are many occupants on the work platform, one individual should be chosen to be the main individual responsible to signal the lift truck operator with work platform motion requests. A system of hand and arm signals should be established as an alternative means of communication in case the main electronic or voice means becomes disabled during work platform operations.
Safety measures dictate that staff are not to be moved in the work platform between task sites and the platform needs to be lowered to grade or floor level before anyone goes in or exits the platform too. If the work platform does not have railing or enough protection on all sides, each occupant must have on an appropriate fall protection system secured 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 railings or use whatever tools to increase the working height on the work platform.
Finally, the driver of the lift truck should remain within 10 feet or 3 metres of the controls and maintain communication visually with the work platform and lift truck. If occupied by employees, the driver must follow above requirements and remain in full contact with the occupants of the work platform. These information help to maintain workplace safety for everyone.
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