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DISCUSSION FORUMS : Forkliftaction.communicate
Forum: Safety, training & legislation
Discussion:  Lifting cages / work platforms
Number of messages: 27
Page: [1] 2
START MESSAGE:
kevin_h
Beds, United Kingdom 		Hi,
Before I start, I'm based in the UK.
I'm currently having an argument with my health and safety department over the use of work platforms which we use to lift people up on fork lift trucks.  We have just replaced two of our platforms (cages), and I am getting them suitably labelled, and trying to put together a method statement for their correct use based on the HSE guidlines (document pm28).   We currently disagree on the correct use of the reach on our reach trucks.  I am stating that the truck should be used with reach extended when using the cage, but they are unsure as it goes against normal driving practice.
The HSE guidlines state explicitly that reach should NOT be used while LIFTING a platform, but doesn't state wether it should be extended or retracted beforehand.  My argument is that the possible problems with retracting forks outweigh the issue of the slight instability of the truck being used with forks extended.  If the truck is driven correctly with the cage fitted, then it will not be an issue, you would not drive a truck with a cage in the same manner as a truck with a pallet of stock.
Retracting the forks with a cage on board could possibly result in the cage being caught on the fork arms, something which does happen regularly, and has caused both our new cages to be damaged..  That's not an issue when the cage is being fitted, as adjustment can be made with sideshift, but it could move slightly on the forks while in use, and then catch when lowered, and TECHNICALLY, you are not allowed to use reach or side shift to correct it.  The HSE actually say that tilt and sideshift should be locked out of use while lifting, and it could be argued that the same applies to reach, although it doesn't explicitly say so.
We also have several 'narrow guage' trucks where the cage would simply not fit between the fork arms, so could not be used with the reach retracted.  We could state that these trucks are not to be used with the cage, but it just seems easier to me to have one rule for all trucks on site.
What are others thoughts on this.

K.

Posted 11 Nov 2005 06:08 AM Reply  Report this message
REPLIES: Sort replies by
garry_p
New Brunswick, Canada 		Kevin:
When using an elevated safety platform that has been "specifically designed" for that use on a reach truck, the reach should remain in the retracted or stored position, never with the reach extended out.
A safety platform should not catch on the fork arms; I don't completely follow this comment.
You are correct, reach or sideshift should not be used once the person is in the platform.  The reach is retracted and sideshift placed in the centre before the person gets in the platform.
Tilt:  the forks are made level before the person gets in and the tilt is no longer to be used while the person is in the platform.
Cage won't fit between the fork arms.  I presume you're speaking about the straddle legs.  In this case, if the platform is on the floor, the driver extends the reach, inserting the forks into the fork slots, raises the platform higher than the straddle legs and then retracts the forks/platform to the stored position.  Then the person can get in the platform.
Hope these opinions might be of some assistance to you.
Garry

Posted 15 Nov 2005 12:19 AM Reply  Report this message
InventoryOps
Wisconsin, United States 		As someone that has worked around and driven lift trucks for many years, I personally would not get up in one of those maintenance cage attachments unless I had a high level of confidence in the lift truck operator (I have encountered very few operators that would instill that level of confidence in me). I see those devices as useful in very small operations that rarely have a need to use them.
Since you stated you have two cages and have recently replaced both, I’m thinking that your more frequent needs would be better met by getting a piece of equipment designed specifically for your tasks (a scissors lift or some type of aerial  boom lift). Not only are these types of equipment safer, they are also a more efficient (get the task done with less labor) means of executing maintenance tasks.  
As to your specific question about reach trucks, a reach truck is more stable with the load retracted (and conversely less stable when the load is extended).  That is why you should always have the load retracted when the truck is in motion. “Safe” is a relative term, and while it may be considered “safe” to extend the reach when handling non-human loads (the purpose of the reach truck); a human load tends to change the context for defining “safe”.  In this new context, playing it safe would suggest not using the reach functionality of a reach truck when using maintenance cage attachments.


Posted 19 Nov 2005 03:50 AM Reply  Report this message
chewingyu
Singapore, Singapore

 		We have the almost the same issue.  I said "almost" because it is not about whether to extend or retract the forks with a cage on it. Rather it is the issue of whether we are allowed to allow the lifting of a personnel on the forks in the first place, even with a cage.
This is after a couple of incidences of people falling off the forks and even from the cage.
So, we have build a platform for our warehouse staff to use to reach the higher points of the cargo being built-up.  The platform can be forked by a forklift to move from place to place, but must sit on the floor when in use.

Modified 27 Jan 2006 02:04 PM
by poster. 		Reply  Report this message
joseph_h
Michigan, United States 		jere v:

OSHA no longer requires controls in the forklift work basket. They apparently misinterpreted ANSI/ASME standards and withdrew these requirements.

On June 2, 2003 a technical amendment was published in the Federal Register that removed all of paragraph 1910.178(m)(12), including its subordinate paragraphs 1910.178(m)(12)(i) through 1910.178(m)(12)(iii).]

I can't find a requirement for forklift basket controls in your Cal/Osha standard. Cal/Osha standards take precedent over OSHA standards in California.

Posted 28 Mar 2006 09:10 AM Reply  Report this message
Mihai
Romania, Romania 		Regarding the control of reach and lift / or any other function: the original action at the older trucks was made trough a lever. So it is normal and safe to use each function separately. More, the power used is the same hydraulic pump, so it is not correct or safe to use it on separate hydraulic functions at the same time, because you will not have the same precision level. The new minilevers are only to increase ergonomy, not for using more then one function in the same time.

Regarding the cage, from the floor it will be lifted with the reach extended in order to allow the operator to aply the safety pin in the back part of the fork. After lifting 200 mm the reach can be retreat and the lifting and all the operations to be made safely. The instabillity up there is big if the height is over 6 m, so the mast should be retreat... The operations to put the cage back on the ground should be exactly on reverse as described.

Posted 24 Feb 2010 10:57 PM Reply  Report this message
dan_m
Ontario, Canada 		As I tell all my trainees...Never, Never drive with the forks extended for any reason.

Posted 25 Feb 2010 10:01 AM Reply  Report this message
alan_s
Northumberland, United Kingdom 		Hello Kevin,
I  know you asked the question a while back, but did you resolve this issue with your H&S people? Safety cages are a grey area that in my opinion in the UK is still not fully resolved but are covered by guidelines PM28. A few simple add-ons can convert a fork mounted device in to a much safer one by the introduction of switches and safety interlocks.

Posted 31 Mar 2010 07:26 PM Reply  Report this message
tugger
Berkshire, United Kingdom

 		Interesting that everyone states only use with mast reached in. Think about it...that is the least stable position for a reach truck from a lateral point of view....Remember the stability triangle???

Posted 18 Jun 2010 03:32 AM Reply  Report this message
johnr_j
Georgia, United States 		The stability triangle primarily applies to counterbalanced trucks.  Reach trucks capacilty is based on straddle support this is why the higher you lift the wider the outrigger arms need to be.   When the reach mechanism is retracted the CG of the load is positioned inside the area of stradddle support making the unit more stable.
I will agree that reach trucks tip overs will be to the side -generally when a "cowboy" pulls a load out with the mast and reach extended at the acceleration rate of an NASCAR driver.  This is one reason why reach truck travel speeds are reduced at extended heights.

Modified 18 Jun 2010 04:49 AM
by poster. 		Reply  Report this message
dan_m
Ontario, Canada 		And for those who believe the reach truck has a stability trapezoid, the lateral space is just slightly narrower than the front.

Posted 18 Jun 2010 06:18 AM Reply  Report this message
tugger
Berkshire, United Kingdom

 		and in english........................

Posted 18 Jun 2010 07:05 AM Reply  Report this message
dan_m
Ontario, Canada 		I understand what you are saying re the stability triangle, and the fact that when the forks are extended, the center of gravity moves closer to the front, making the truck more stable, left to right.

For the mindset that believe that the narrow aisle reach truck has a stability trapezoid instead of the triangle, obviously the lateral space is wider than the triangle at the back of the truck, allowing for the truck to be almost, but not quite as, stable when the truck is empty, then when is full.

Therefore, if the truck has a triangle, and one is maintaining the forks in their nested position, the truck would seem to be more unstable, understandably.

If its confusing, then I can paint you a picture, and I would need instructions on how to send it to you, or you can drop the matter as far as my comments are concerned, and just leave it at that!  lol

Posted 18 Jun 2010 07:32 AM Reply  Report this message
edward_t
South Carolina, United States

 		DAn, when you say "lateral space is wider than the triangle at the back of the truck" is the "back of the truck" the "forks last" [the tractor] part?  

-------------------------
webhome = http://forktechs.com
"it's not rocket surgery"

Posted 18 Jun 2010 11:11 AM Reply  Report this message
dan_m
Ontario, Canada 		Forks first in was I consider front.  The back is the opening where the operator steps out.  The load wheels are the front, and the drive steer wheel in the back

Posted 18 Jun 2010 11:19 AM Reply  Report this message
joseph_h
Michigan, United States 		A reach truck is more stable when the forks are retracted as the load center at this point is usually situated within the reach truck’s wheel base.  As the forks are extended, a counterbalance situation starts to develop. On most reach trucks, when the forks are fully extended it becomes a counterbalance type truck without the benefit of any additional counterweight.  The weight of the truck is usually the sole counterweight.

Pick up a 40 pound sack of cement and standing upright hold it close to your chest. You are fairly stable in this position as the weight is within your body’s stability base.  Standing upright, hold the sack of cement in your hands and slowly extend them. The further the sack extends from your body the less stable you become. The weight of your body is your sole counterweight

An empty reach truck with the forks retracted is less stable as the truck’s center of gravity shifts toward the narrow portion of the imaginary stability triangle.  Less dynamic force from braking, turning, shifting loads, etc. is required to shift the reach truck’s center of gravity beyond the imaginary stability triangle.

Lifting personnel in a work basket with the reach truck forks extended is definitely an unsafe act and an accident waiting to happen.
Modified 18 Jun 2010 03:54 PM
by poster. 		Reply  Report this message
edward_t
South Carolina, United States

 		and at least in the USA, as I read it, lateral movement of the basket is prohibited, while the basket is occupied. you can move it up and down, but not side to side or front and back

-------------------------
webhome = http://forktechs.com
"it's not rocket surgery"

Posted 18 Jun 2010 09:08 PM Reply  Report this message
mrfixit
New York, United States

 		Another important thing to remember is once the basket is up to the level you want the forklift operator makes sure the brake is on, turn key off, and keep their hands away from any of the controls.

Posted 18 Jun 2010 10:42 PM Reply  Report this message
joseph_h
Michigan, United States 		In the United States, work baskets/cages/platforms must be approved for use by the forklift manufacturer on all forklift(s) on which these devices will be used.

OSHA 1910.178(a)(4)
“Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.”

(Note: Some forklift manufacturers will not authorize the use of work platforms on forklifts due to the liability involved.)

OSHA 1910.178(a)(5)
“If the truck is equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, the user shall request that the truck be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered.”

OSHA Interpretation (November 27, 2001)

“If the manufacturer's operator manual states that a forklift is not to be used for elevating personnel platforms, use of the equipment to support such a platform would violate this provision. Consequently, OSHA prohibits the use of such equipment to elevate personnel. If the owner's manual for the equipment is silent on whether the equipment may be used to elevate personnel, the employer must determine if the forklift was designed for such purposes. The standard places the obligation on the employer to ensure that this type of equipment is used to elevate personnel only where the manufacturer has designed it to do so. The employer would either have to find out from the manufacturer that it was designed for this use or (where that information is unavailable) obtain a certification by a registered professional engineer that the equipment was so designed.”

(This interpretation was in response to a rough terrain forklift question but is applicable to all forklifts.)
Posted 19 Jun 2010 02:43 AM Reply  Report this message
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