Hi Kelly, Having looked at the opening discussion, it appears that Vic is not fully aware of the procedures and why its important to use the parking brake when using the Hydraulic controls. Mainly to prevent the truck from moving allowing the operative to concentrate on the task in hand, and to not assume that by having a foot on the service brake that everything will be fine. The reason that so many of the safe operating skills are forgotten can be due to the work pressures alot of operators find themselves under. Alot being attributed to inappropriate management practices.
Vic - I am not exactly sure how your regulatory body in the UK works, but perhaps you could contact them and ask them to open a "Comment Period" on the rule. In the US, if you can show a valid concern / issue with a rule, you can request a review (not that it will always happen). It is a slow moving process, but if you can prove your point through common workplace examples, someone may listen. I have seen this happen in the US with OSHA as well as other regulatory bodies. If you can prove an unsafe practice in the rule by using several examples, it will go a long way towards maiking your case.
If drivers do not drive in this way, then they automatically fail their test. Once they have passed the test, the handbrake rule is forgotten as it is impracticable. My concern is that, if they are not trained to use the service brakes, then there could be an issue. In addition, the chance of repetitive strain injury, increased component failure (park brake levers and cables are not designed for such intensive use) all add up to a non sensical approach whch is being enforced in the UK. How can we get this situation to change to th ecorrect practice and reflect reality.
You will find regulation in HSE Safety in workingwith Lift Trucks Firtspublished 1979, Revised 1992 pages 21 and 22 : " when the load is over the stack, stop, apply parking brake and bring the..."other " halt at the face of the stack and apply parking brake...", also in FEM instructions for Lift truck drivers , 7 edicion in spanish " avanzar lentamente la carretilla hasta que la carga se encuentra encima del lugar de apilado y apretar el freno de mano" page 11.
Vic,
Interesting, I don't know anything about the UK rules but I agree that when a standard is not realistic or accurate that creates a problem during training. Operators get frustrated since they know it is wrong and may wonder what other rules they need not follow.