Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
Powered Industrial Trucks
CONTENTS
3.0 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
5.1 Employee and Student Responsibilities
5.2 Supervisor Responsibilities
5.3 Career and Protective Services Responsibilities
7.0 TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION
Appendix A IIPP Attendance Log
Appendix B PIT Inspection Checklist
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this program is to establish minimum safety requirements for USC employees while operating powered industrial lift trucks.
2.0 APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE
This program applies to all USC employees and contract workers using University equipment. Contractors shall provide documentation that employees under their supervision have current Powered Industrial Truck training.
3.0 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
California: Title 8, Standard 3650
Federal: Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1910.178
NFPA 505-1987
4.0 DEFINITIONS
Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) - A mobile, power-driven vehicle used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material. Vehicles that are commonly referred to as high lift trucks, counterbalanced trucks, rider trucks, forklift trucks, low lift trucks, low lift platform trucks, rough terrain forklift trucks, motorized hand trucks, pallet jack trucks, narrow aisle rider trucks, and high lift order picker trucks are included. Vehicles primarily used for earth moving, snow removal, salting, man-lifts, or over-the-road haulage are not included in this program.
Rough Terrain Forklift Truck - A wheeled-type truck which is designed primarily as a fork truck that has a vertical mast or pivoted boom, or both, which has variable fixed length reach and which may be equipped with attachments and that is intended for operation on unimproved natural terrain as well as the disturbed terrain of construction sites.
5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 Employee and Student Worker Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of each employee affected by this program to:
- Inspect PITs prior to operation using the PIT Inspection Checklist in Appendix B;
- Receive proper training in the operation of each Powered Industrial Truck (PIT);
- Operate only those PITs that he/she has received training;
- Operate only those PITs which are certified on USC property; and
- Report immediately to the supervisor any PIT found to be unsafe and the vehicle shall not be put in service again until it has been made safe.
5.2 Supervisor Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of each supervisor affected by this program to:
- Implement this program and ensure compliance within their department.
- Conduct daily inspections of PITs;
- Assure that employees are operating PITs safely;
- Keep the operator’s manual on file;
- Place signage that PITs must be chocked while on a loading dock;
- Maintain dock boards where appropriate and ensure that they can be secured;
- Place “No Smoking” signage at battery charging areas;
- Ensure eyewash/shower stations are available at battery servicing areas; and
- Disallow modifications to existing equipment without prior approval from manufacturer;.
Managers and supervisors are also responsible for ensuring that outside contractors working in their area are provided information regarding this program. They shall review all contract work and require contractors to provide the following:
- Contract employees that are trained in PIT operation;
- Information on all equipment and machinery used in the area; and
- Safety programs and SOPs as needed.
5.3 Career and Protective Services Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Division of Career and Protective Services to:
- Assist all sites in conducting initial, retesting and refresher training; and
- Conduct random inspections of trucks, driving skills, daily checklists and equipment.
6.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- Only trained and authorized operators shall be permitted to operate a Powered Industrial Truck;
- A trained and authorized operator must be 18 years of age and must have a valid California Drivers License;
- Permits shall be provided to employees who successfully complete training. The permit shall be carried by the operator or be available upon request at all times during their working shift.
7.0 TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION
Training shall consist of:
- Formal classroom instruction (e.g.: Review regulations, components.) based on CCR Title 8 Standard 3650;
- Practical training of the operator in the workplace by the supervisors or designee with a person from EH&S present to observe. Such training will take place in a location that does not endanger the trainee or other employees; and
- Refresher training. Refresher training is required if:
- An unsafe operations was performed;
- The operator was involved in an accident or near-miss;
- A different type of PIT is introduced;
- Workplace conditions change; and
- Deemed necessary by the supervisor.
8.0 RECORD KEEPING
Departments shall maintain records of training (see Appendix A IIPP Attendance Log) and issuance of operational permits.
9.0 PROGRAM APPROVAL AND REVIEW
Date revised: |
01/08/2008 |
By: Charles Yun, Alfred M. Bouziane |