December 2016 IVES Update Newsletter

In this edition we'll be covering the following topics:

• Feature Article: Cal/OSHA Proposal on Forklifts.
• Holiday Shipping Notice.
• Incident Report: Coroners report cites numerous safety violations in crane fatality.
• Ask Bob: Our tech guru addresses a question on operating an aerial lift from the ground controls.
• IVES' 35th Anniversary Sale: Recertification & Requalification Packages.
• Incident Report: Worker struck and killed by backhoe bucket.
• Last chance to register!
• What's Wrong With This? Photo and answer.
• A selection of interesting articles.
• New testimonials from our wonderful clients.

But first, check out all the places we are delivering training this month...

Cal/OSHA Proposal on Forklifts

The Cal/OSH Standards Board is proposing to revise its standard on industrial truck safety. The issue is an exception to the rules on when an operator can leave a running forklift to load or unload it.

The proposal is in a comment period that ends December 15 with a public hearing in Sacramento.

The current exception to General Industry Safety Orders ¶3650(t)(1) allows an operator to be out of the driver’s seat with the lift’s forks raised no higher than 42 inches for loading or unloading above the level where the operators/loaders are standing.

Board staff notes that the exception was written in the mid-1990s because safety regulators at the time believed that it would pose less risk of ergonomic injury. But 20 years later, staff says that if loaders are standing on an elevated surface, the forks could be raised to an unsafe level and destabilize the industrial truck. The revision would require that the loader/operator be on the same level as the industrial truck.

The revision also replaces the term “forks” with “load engaging means,” which refers to any part of the industrial truck that comes in contact with the load.

Here is the text of the proposed revision:

GISO ¶3650(t)(17):

EXCEPTION: Forks on fork-equipped The load engaging means of industrial trucks may be in the raised position for loading and unloading by the operator if the forks load engaging means are raised no more than 42 inches above the same level on which the industrial truck where the operator/loaders are standing, is located, and the power is shut off, controls placed in neutral and the brakes set. If on an incline, the wheels shall be securely blocked. At all times the load engaging means are raised, the operator will remain in the seat of the industrial truck except when the operator is actively loading or unloading materials.

Source: Cal-OSHA Reporter (Vol. 43 No. 42)

Holiday Shipping Notice

Make sure to plan ahead for Holiday season shipping! Remember, bad weather conditions and increased Holiday volumes can lead to a delay in delivery.

View the UPS Holiday Schedule or Purolator Holiday Schedule.

Also, please note that our offices will be closed on the following days:

• Monday, December 26
• Monday, January 2

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Incident Report

Coroners report cites numerous safety violations in crane fatality

A B.C. Coroners Service report has determined that a forklift not suitable for the work it was doing contributed to the death of man working on a job site in Metchosin in August of 2015.

Robert Davison, an employee of VI Electric who was 42 at the time, was killed by blunt force trauma when he was hit on the head by a utility pole at a Westwater Developments site. The pole was being installed by a Westwater employee utilizing a rough-terrain forklift when the pole swung and hit Davison as the forklift tipped over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner's report indicated that the forklift was not suitable for the task of moving the pole.

Coroner Courtney Cote said in the report that the type of forklift used is one "typically used to move palletized loads or other loads from grades to elevation. Based upon the design criteria, it is not designed to erect utility poles, specifically not on the terrain at the site with a grade varying between 20 to 24 per cent."

Cote also listed many violations of the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, including a lack of proper training and safe work procedures.

An expert hired by the RCMP during its investigation said "the accident was preventable," Cote wrote.

An investigation into the accident by WorkSafe B.C. is still underway.

Source: Goldstream News Gazette

Ask Bob

Q: I have people that are contracting at our facility who do not have trained operators for aerial lift. Our personnel are certified through IVES following the appropriate program, aerial boom lift, and aerial work platform. Our operators are wanting to have a certified operator for a JLG 600J, on the ground using the ground controls and putting people in the basket to do the work. The people in the basket are not trained in aerial lift operations, the certified operator of the lift will operate and use the ground controls. What is your take on this? This sounds too much like skirting certification and training requirements. As well pushing one interpretation of the regulations too far.

A: Well I have to say that I have run across this before and here is our take on the situation. We don't like it. Having someone on the ground operating the machine for workers in the platform is asking for trouble in our opinion. Depth perception alone for moving people into position on a 60' boomlift is dangerous.  

Check your MOM (Manufacturer’s Operating Manual) as it is likely that the manufacturer prohibits anyone from using the lower controls while people are in the basket except in the case of an emergency. In any case, it would be best to have one of your qualified operators in the basket to operate the machine while the contractors do the work.

35th Anniversary Sale: Recertification & Requalification Packages

We are celebrating our 35th Anniversary and are excited to tell you about our final sale of the year...

Our Forklift Recertification and Aerial Lift Requalification Packages will be on sale until Friday, December 30.

Order and save up to 15% on your purchase of any Recertification or Requalification Package!

Place your order online or call 1-800-643-1144.

Incident Report

Worker struck and killed by backhoe bucket

Case report: #14NJ74*
Issued by: New Jersey Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE)Program
Date of incident: Winter 2014

A 34-year-old laborer died after being struck in the head by the bucket of a backhoe loader. The incident occurred in the parking lot of a health care facility during the worker’s first day on the job. The victim was helping two other workers build a retaining wall. A backhoe loader was being used to transport concrete blocks from a pile to the wall by connecting blocks to the bucket of the backhoe with a chain. The victim was standing near the backhoe loader preparing to connect a block to the bucket when the operator, unaware the victim was there, rotated the boom. The bucket struck the victim’s head and pinned him against the blocks. The victim died of blunt force head trauma. An investigation determined two contributing factors in the victim’s death: He was standing within the swing radius of the backhoe loader boom, and he was not wearing any personal protective equipment.

To prevent future occurrences:

• Have a safety and health plan in place based on the specific hazards workers may encounter.
• Train all employees on their job-specific tasks.
• Ensure workers wear personal protective equipment, including hard hats and high-visibility vests, when working with backhoe loaders.

Download the full report.

Source: www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com

Last Chance Programs

We have lots of upcoming programs to choose from, but seats are limited. Click a link for more details and to register online!

What's Wrong With This? Photo

Can you tell what's going wrong in this photo?

Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!

Answer to Last Month's WWWT? Photo

In the photo above, the operators of the aerial boomlift have not cordoned off the area from traffic, and in fact, are allowing vehicles to drive right under the boom. This could easily result in disaster if a vehicle hits any part of the equipment.

Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!

Interesting Articles

• Video: Massive earthmover tire explosion...more
• Worker changing light bulbs dies, fell 20 ft from forklift... more
• Worker seriously injured after forklift fell through basement... more
• UDOT contractor killed in excavator roll-over... more
• Napa vineyard worker killed after he was crushed by forklift... more
• Truck hits aerial boomlift with workers in basket... more
• One person injured in forklift tip-over incident... more
• A mobile suspended platform (pictured below)... more

Client Testimonials

"I've been operating forklifts for 20 years. Many parts of this program challenged me to learn something new. Great job!" John, Nucor Steel.

"This program was great to bring back to my front line team. I absolutely think it is a necessity for every facility." Adrian, PepsiCo.

"It was a great class, I'm glad I took it. I would like to take more training classes with IVES." Juan, Trinity Fresh.

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