Common Sense... The manufacturer instructions should be followed. They designed the machine to be operated in a given application. For example, rough terrain forklift manufacturers train operators to carry loads as low as possible on "low boom mount" telehandlers... the same manufacturer will say carry loads high enough for the operator to look underneath the boom so they can see in the forward direction and see the mirror mounted on the front of the truck to be able to check the right side clearance on "high boom mount" trucks. Container handlers carrying containers need to drive in the forward direction in yards many times to make sure they have clearance on both sides... it is much harder to do that driving backwards. This is not a warehouse lift truck carrying a 48" pallet. So it is safer for many concerns in some applications to drive with a elevated load for better vision in the forward direction. Most container handlers carry loads in the elevated position, just high enough to see. If the yard is designed for plenty of clearance... nothing wrong with driving in reverse with load lowered, but it will demand more open yard space. Some container handlers have elevated cabs for better operator visibility... that may change the manufacturer's instructions on load carrying height! The design of the machine and its application must always be considered. OSHA 1910.178 laws are written for most applications. OSHA officers understand if a machine is designed differently or the application is not "the norm" the manufacturer may alter the normal forklift operator instructions. That's why we have interpretation of OSHA laws. Does the OSHA CFR1910.178 have laws dealing with how to properly clamp a roll of paper with a Cascade attachment?

This recommendation has been around for many years and is one with which I totally agree - for standard forklift trucks which are designed to travel with homogenous loads on the centreline of the truck and with forks. However, Reachstackers and Empty Container Handlers have been developed since this general rule was established for forklift trucks.

Reachstackers and Empty Container Handlers have been specifically designed to operate with the container raised so that the bottom is just above the operators line of sight to enahnce forward visibility. Containers should still be transported as close to the ground as possible and with boom retracted or mast slightly backtilted. Different standards apply for the capacity/rating of such trucks to allow this method of handling empty and laden containers.

correct me if i'm wrong but in ALL operator training classes i've ever been in they instruct the operator to carry their load as close to the ground as possible to maintain stability of the truck.
AND... if the load being carried restricts the operators view in the forward direction, then it is required to carry the said load traveling in reverse. AND EVEN utilizing a spotter if need be.

With these big trucks and large loads it would seem to me that these rules would be even more stringent in following them due to the very nature of the situation.

There is no justification EVER to try and justify breaking a safety rule just because of operator 'inconvenience' because he can't see around the load.

The higher you carry a load the more unstable the truck becomes period... no exceptions.
common sense?

just my.02 worth here :)

Joseph H,
I would like to send something to you for review, would you please contact me at

contom at wsinc dot com

thanks

Just wanted to state that the Hyster recommendation is one meter above seat index point. So bottom of container should be just above operator eye level - not 1 meter above head height.

An experienced operator should be able to tell the difference between picking up an empty container and picking up one with 16 tonnes, plenty of machines have scales on board to identify the weight.

It does look like operator error, in that the operator failed to identify the weight as he should with each new lift, then lower the load before relocation it, even empty containers should not be transported with extended boom and at more than the necessary height.

Work safe if you cant see you are not working safe

Container should be 1 meter above the operators head so he can see that is the hyster recommendations

Now, i have a matter in which a reach stacker operator took a container, which was loaded weighing 16MT, and moved the machinery without retracting its boom, consequently the reach stacker lost stability causing damages to the container, the main trouble is that the services of reach stacker was hired by my clients, now the company of the reach stacker want to escape its responsability stating that the cause of the incident was misdeclaration of the container, which was stacked at empty zone. i need any rules if it is possible from ILO in which state that operator of reach stackers should handle containers with retracted boom.

ok this is where i come in handy.
i hope you are working on a hardstand concrete yard.
and the guys are not compensating for uneven ground.
in wich case i might do the same travelling tru large potholes, but if the yard is ok then
youmight have some dangerous inexperienced guys working there!(wich is a hazard to themselves and others)
a operator should only travel forward with the bottom of the container visible to their line of sight.(i hope those guys don,t work at night)
every once in a while you will come across a super heavy container wich is not possible to lift,this is when i travel backwards with the box just of the ground
anyway travelling height varies a little depending on your own height.(you must be able to look under the container and not go over the top of anything at all)
make sure the seat is correctly adjusted to the weight of the operator.
considering how inexperienced they sound,they should also retract the slew function on the spreader when travelling with a hooked up container.
to dot the i,s and cross the t,s
approach the stacks to be loaded into with the containers at line of sight (height).and in reverse when loading out of the stacks.
stop the machine before starting to lift to the desired stack height.
and they should not argue with their superiors.
this is where inductions come in handy.
as you can remind them what the yards agreements were before they started.
how high should loaded containers be stacked?(i know you didnt ask this but now you got me going)
sometimes you will end up working on dirt and i have learned that if the ground is uneven 4 boxes high with a 35 tonne load each is going to damage the box on the ground
its better to stack boxes 3 high when they are this heavy as they will not damage/buckle the box on the ground
you may let them read this,and if they disagree, you can sack em on the spot and i,m willing to come and work for you.
i hope to be of some help
regards finn.

thanks

Joseph H


would you please email me I have a question I want to ask but don't wish to raise here,

Thanks

NDAMERYATTRIDENT>IE

Harvest:

Contact: British Columbia Safety Council: www (dot) safetycouncil.bc.ca

British Columbia Safety Council
#2225-21331 Gordon Way
Richmond, BC, Canada
V6W 1J9
Phone 6042147433
Fax 6042147434

Contact: Ives Training Group: h (double t) p://www (dot) ivestraining.com/

Canadian Office:
IVES Training Ltd.
IVES Publication Ltd.
Unit 102 - 19162 - 22 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3S 3S6
Phone: 6045424837
Fax: 6045424867

Great, thanks for your help - very helpful...On a slightly different topic, can anyone recommend any trainers in BC (Vancouver area?)

Harvest:

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has a web site allowing any CSA standard referenced by a Canadian governmental OHS program to be reviewed (view-only) online without having to purchase the document. It will also indicate any new edition of a standard if the standard referenced has been revised and not yet referenced by the governmental OSH agency.

Google: (ohsviewaccess.csa.ca/ ) or (View CSA Standards Referenced in OHS Regulations - Welcome) to review CSA B335-94: Industrial Lift Truck Operator Training or CSA B335-04 Safety Standard for Lift Trucks. Register and search the jurisdiction British Columbia.