Fork Mounted Work Platform - For the manufacturer to adhere to standards, there are certain requirements outlining the standards of forklift and work platform safety. Work platforms can be custom made so long as it meets all the design criteria according to the safety requirements. These custom designed platforms need to be certified by a licensed engineer to maintain they have in fact been manufactured in accordance with the engineers design and have followed all requirements. The work platform should be legibly marked to show the label of the certifying engineer or the producer.
Specific information is required to be marked on the machinery. For instance, if the work platform is customized built, an identification number or a unique code linking the design and certification documentation from the engineer has to be visible. When the platform is a manufactured design, the part number or serial 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 when empty, in addition to the safety requirements which the work platform was built to meet is amongst other required markings.
The maximum combined weight of the tools, individuals and materials permitted on the work platform is referred to as the rated load. This particular information must also be legibly marked on the work platform. Noting the minimum rated capacity of the lift truck which is required 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 could be utilized along with the platform. The method for attaching the work platform to the fork carriage or the forks must also be specified by a professional engineer or the producer.
Another requirement meant for safety ensures the flooring of the work platform has an anti-slip surface positioned not farther than 8 inches more than the regular load supporting area of the tines. There should be a way provided in order to prevent the carriage and work platform from pivoting and revolving.
Use Requirements
The forklift must be utilized by a trained driver who is certified by the employer so as to use the machinery for hoisting staff 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 personnel. All producer or designer instructions that relate to safe use of the work platform should likewise be accessible in the workplace. If the carriage of the forklift is capable of pivoting or rotating, these functions have to be disabled to maintain safety. The work platform has to be secured to the fork carriage or to the forks in the specified way provided by the work platform manufacturer or a professional engineer.
Various safety ensuring requirements state that the weight of the work platform along with the most 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 capacity of a high forklift for the reach and configuration being used. A trial lift is needed to be carried out at every task site immediately prior to raising staff in the work platform. This process ensures the forklift and be located and maintained on a proper supporting surface and even so as to ensure there is enough reach to put 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 trial lift should be done at every job site immediately before raising personnel in the work platform to ensure the lift truck could be located on an appropriate supporting surface, that there is enough reach to locate the work platform to allow the task to be finished, and that the mast is vertical or the boom travels vertically. Utilizing the tilt function for the mast could be used to assist with final positioning at the task location and the mast ought to travel in a vertical plane. The trial lift determines that enough clearance could be maintained between the elevating mechanism of the forklift and the work platform. Clearance is even checked according to scaffolding, storage racks, overhead obstructions, and any surrounding structures, as well from hazards like energized machinery and live electrical wire.
A communication system between the forklift driver and the work platform occupants must be implemented so as to safely and efficiently control work platform operations. When there are many occupants on the work platform, one individual must be chosen to be the primary person responsible to signal the forklift operator with work platform motion requests. A system of hand and arm signals should be established as an alternative method of communication in case the primary electronic or voice means becomes disabled during work platform operations.
According to safety standards, workers are not to be transported in the work platform between different task sites. The work platform must be lowered so that workers could exit the platform. If the work platform does not have railing or enough protection on all sides, every occupant needs to wear an appropriate fall protection system attached to a designated anchor point on the work platform. Workers ought to carry out functions from the platform surface. It is strictly prohibited they do not stand on the railings or use whatever devices to increase the working height on the work platform.
Lastly, the operator of the lift truck should remain within 10 feet or 3 metres of the controls and maintain contact visually with the work platform and lift truck. If occupied by personnel, the driver should abide by above standards and remain in full communication with the occupants of the work platform. These information assist to maintain workplace safety for everybody.
Click to Download the pdf