Welcome back! In this August 2013 IVES Update Newsletter we’ve got lots of great stuff for you, including:
- OSHA clarifies forklift exemption.
- Prize draw for 1 year website anniversary.
- New What’s Wrong With This? video edition.
- Washington State Forklift Rodeo results.
- A fall protection Ask Bob question.
- New item – Fork Inspection Kits.
- Interesting article links.
- Details on two fatal mobile equipment incidents in California on Aug 13.
- Safety exhibitions and special events schedule, including a free expo pass.
- But first, please note that our Canadian and US offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day.
OSHA Clarifies Forklift Exemption
Here’s some good news. In a proposed amendment to the Cranes and Derricks standard, OSHA is planning to officially clarify that forklifts and telehandlers carrying loads suspended from their forks do not need to be operated by a certified crane operator.
The agency has circulated a draft of the clarification to reviewers but has not set a date for its enactment. The amendments would come in 29 CFR1926.1400(c)(8).
Confusion about the topic arose from wording in OSHA’s new Cranes and Derricks standard, enacted in August 2010.
Verbiage in the standard says the rule generally applies to “power-operated equipment, when used in construction, that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load.” That description could include forklifts and telehandlers carrying loads suspended beneath the forks or from a hook hanging beneath a telehandler boom.
OSHA says the rule was not intended to include forklifts that have loads suspended from the forks or a hook (as long as the hook isn’t on the end of a winch line), and that the August 2010 rule specifically excludes “powered industrial trucks (forklifts), except when configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load.”
To resolve confusion between the regulation’s preamble, its general description, and the exclusion, OSHA proposes to change 1926.1400(c)(8) so it exempts forklifts, except when equipped with “a boom and hoist” instead of with a “winch or hook.”
OSHA’s proposed plan to erase any doubt that forklifts carrying loads suspended from their forks or a hook that isn’t on a winch line should ease contractors’ concerns about having to certify tens of thousands of construction workers as crane operators, when those workers will never sit at the controls of a crane.
[Source: Lift and Access Magazine (July-August 2013, Volume 10, Number 4)]
1 Year Website Anniversary Prize Draw
Wow – it’s been just over a year since we introduced our newly designed website. We’d like to thank all of the wonderful customers who completed our online survey over the last year, giving us invaluable feedback on the new site.
We thought we’d show our appreciation with a prize draw – everyone who completed the survey was entered in to win!
Drum roll, please…
The prize draw winner is Brian Govereau of BladeRunners (Metis Nation) of Abbotsford, BC! Congratulations Brian – you are the lucky winner of a Tassimo T65 Brewer. Enjoy!
What’s Wrong With This? Video Edition
This month’s WWWT? is a video instead of a photo! Click on the image below to view the WWWT? video on YouTube. We’ll share our answer in September’s Update.
Answer to Last Month’s WWWT?
Last month we asked you what was wrong with the photo. The operator in the photo was not using the proper 3-point dismount procedure to get off the forklift. Hopping off a forklift in such a manner makes it much more likely for injury to occur. Remember, always get on and off equipment facing the machine, with 3 points of contact!
Washington State Forklift Championship
The Washington State Final Forklift Rodeo will be held September 25 in Tacoma. The top 7 individual competitors plus up to three teams from each Regional event will be competing for monetary prizes of up to $500!
The State Final is showcased within the 62nd Annual Washington Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference. Come on down to watch and cheer on the competitors!
Ask Bob
Q: In an aerial lift should I use a body belt with a fall arrest or fall restraint lanyard?
A: Ideally, the operator should use a personal fall protection system that prevents them from being ejected from the platform at all. Typically, that would mean connecting a three to four foot fall restraint lanyard to a full body harness (not a body belt) and of course the manufacturer’s designated anchor point. It’s restrictive for operators but it could ultimately save their lives. However, if you have to use a shock absorbing fall arrest lanyard, just make sure that it is of a length that will arrest the fall before the operator hits the ground if he/she is ejected, regardless of the height of the platform. Remember that the longer the fall arrest lanyard is, the more distance it will require before arresting the fall. Be particularly mindful of this when traveling with the platform below 20 feet.
New Fork Inspection Kits
Stay on top of your fork maintenance with the easy to use Fork Inspection Kits now available through IVES. Even the best operators cannot assess the condition of the forks beyond obvious wear and damage detectable to the naked eye.
This useful kit provides you with the ability to make quick and accurate measurements to compare with critical fork arm wear specifications and ensure that the forks on your machines are in the condition they need to be in to get the job done. Appropriate for standard and shaft/pin type forks.
Here’s a useful tutorial video on how to use the fork wear caliper.
Interesting News Articles
- Construction safety training survey reveals widespread benefits… more
- Worker killed in forklift accident involving 1,500 lb press… more
- MOL warehouse blitz schedule… more
- Worker dies after boomlift accident… more
- Firing justified, in case of forklift operator horseplay… more
- HI company cited with 23 violations, proposed fines of $50,400… more
- Report blames forklift in carbon monoxide poisoning… more
- Proper load securement is vital for safe transport of heavy equipment… more
Incident Reports
In California on Tuesday, August 13 there were two separate fatalities involving mobile equipment (details below). Avoiding these types of incidents is why we do what we do – it’s not just about regulatory compliance. Remind your trainees of that.
Front-end Loader Kills Woman at San Jose City College
A woman was fatally run over by a [front-end loader] Tuesday at a San Jose City College construction site, officials said.
San Jose fire crews responded to a report at 11:15 a.m. that a vehicle had struck a pedestrian near the school’s multidisciplinary arts building. Helicopter video over the scene shows the collision happened on a sidewalk just outside a school building.
San Jose City College President Byron Breland said classes were not in session today, but that there were still visitors on campus. He said summer session had just ended, and the fall semester begins on Aug. 28. Breland said the accident occurred while crews were digging to gain access to an underground water valve as part of one of various construction projects on campus.
A member of the construction crew called 911 immediately after the woman was hit. The victim was taken right across the street to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, but it was too late. She died.
San Jose police took over the investigation, but haven’t said how the victim came to be behind the [loader], whether the area was not properly secured, or whether she was some place she was not supposed to be.
San Jose Evergreen Community College Chancellor Rita Cepeda and San Jose City College President Dr. Byron Breland held a press conference and said their hearts go out to the family of the victim, but they would not say whether she was a student, a school employee or a construction worker.
“As a mother and grandmother, I want to reiterate my heartfelt condolences to the family of the individuals involved,” Cepeda said.
Cal-OSHA was notified of the incident at 12:30 p.m.
All construction on the campus was shut down for the day following the incident.
The main contractor involved in the construction project on campus is Gilbane Construction. The subcontractor that was operating the backhoe is Preston Pipelines.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and the individual this happened to and while our investigation continues, we’re doing some grievement counseling for our crews and anyone else that was on site at the time,” Preston Pipeline COO Ron Bianchine said.
Preston Pipelines has been involved in two Cal OSHA accident investigations in the past five years. One of them resulting in a violation for improperly securing a load.
The driver of the [loader] was a 35 year old man. He is receiving grief counseling, according to officials.
[Source:
Worker Dies After Being Trapped Under Forklift in Elk Grove
A person was killed early Tuesday morning in an industrial accident after being trapped under a forklift in Elk Grove, fire officials said.
Fire officials confirmed that one person was killed at the Milling Company on Eschinger Road.
Authorities arrived on scene around 2:48 a.m. on Tuesday.
Later Tuesday morning, a forklift could be seen on its side near the 8200 block of Eschinger Road.
Firefighters with Sac Metro Fire and the Consumnes Fire Department responded to the call after reports indicated that the forklift had rolled over.
The fire department did not say if it was the operator or another worker who was killed.
The coroner has removed the body from the scene.
Investigators are at the business trying to figure out exactly how the accident happened.
Workers onsite appeared very distraught.
[Source:
Upcoming Events
We will be exhibiting at the following trade shows and conferences:
- August 26-29. 29th Annual National VPPPA Conference
- September 10-13. Georgia Safety Conference
- September 25. WA State Forklift Rodeo Championship
- September 29-October 4. NSC 2013 Congress & Expo
Client Testimonials
“Above and beyond expectations.” Matthew, Calpine Corp.
“I had a wonderful learning experience during this class.” Guillermo, Cal Ag Safety.
“Very informative, excellent course. Second time through trainer training allows trainer to see things missed on initial session. Excellent instruction.” Art, Progressive Safety Solutions Inc.
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