Section 296-59-090. Mobile equipment and lift trucks.

(1) Mobile equipment shall be designed, constructed, maintained, and used in accordance with this section and appropriate ANSI and/or SAE requirements.

(2) Operator training.

(a) Methods shall be devised by management to train personnel in the safe operation of mobile equipment.

(b) Training programs for all mobile equipment shall include the manufacturer's operating instructions when such instructions are available.

(c) Only trained and authorized operators shall be permitted to operate such vehicles.

(3) Special duties of operator. Special duties of the operator of a power-driven vehicle shall include the following:

(a) Test brakes, steering gear, lights, horns, warning devices, clutches, etc., before operating vehicle;

(b) Not move a vehicle while an unauthorized rider is on the vehicle;

(c) Slow down and sound horn upon approaching blind corners or other places where vision or clearance is limited;

(d) Comply with all speed and traffic regulations and other applicable rules;

(e) Have the vehicle being operated under control at all times so that he can safely stop the vehicle in case of emergency; and

(f) Keep the load on the uphill side when driving a forklift vehicle on a grade.

(4) Operator to be in proper position. Control levers of lift trucks, front end loaders, or similar types of equipment shall not be operated except when the operator is in his proper operating position.

(5) Raised equipment to be blocked. Employees shall not work below the raised bed of a dump truck, raised buckets of front end loaders, raised blades of tractors or in similar positions without blocking the equipment in a manner that will prevent it from falling. When working under equipment suspended by use of jacks, safety stands or blocking shall be used in conjunction with the jack.

(6) Precautions to be taken while inflating tire. Unmounted split rim wheels shall be placed in a safety cage or other device shall be used which will prevent a split rim from striking the worker if it should dislodge while the tire is being inflated.

(7) Reporting suspected defects. If, in the opinion of the operator, a power-driven vehicle is unsafe, the operator shall report the suspected defect immediately to the person in charge. Any defect which would make the vehicle unsafe to operate under existing conditions shall be cause for immediate removal from service. The vehicle shall not be put back into use until it has been made safe.

(8) Safe speed. Vehicles shall not be driven faster than a safe speed compatible with existing conditions.

(9) Unobstructed view.

(a) Vehicle operators shall have a reasonably unobstructed view of the direction of travel. Where this is not possible, the operator shall be directed by a person or by a safe guidance means or device.

(b) Where practical, mirrors shall be installed at blind corners or intersections which will allow operators to observe oncoming traffic.

(c) It is recommended that vehicles operating in congested areas be provided with an automatic audible or visual alarm system.

(10) Passengers to ride properly.

(a) Passengers shall not be permitted to ride with legs or arms extending outside the running lines of the cab, FOPS, or ROPS of any vehicle.

(b) Passengers on mobile oversnow equipment shall ride within the cab unless exterior seating is provided. The exterior seating may include the cargo bed provided that the bed is equipped with sideboards and a tailgate at least ten inches high. If passengers are permitted to stand in the bed, adequate handholds shall be provided.

(c) The number of passengers and seating arrangements within the cab on any mobile equipment shall not interfere with the operator's ability to safely operate the equipment.

(d) Exterior passengers shall not be permitted on mobile oversnow equipment which has snow grooming equipment mounted on the bed or when the machine is towing any kind of equipment, sleds, etc.

(e) Operators shall use good judgment with respect to speed and terrain when carrying exterior passengers.

(11) Horns and lights.

(a) Every vehicle shall be provided with an operable horn distinguishable above the surrounding noise level.

(b) Any vehicle required to travel away from an illuminated area shall be equipped with a light or lights which adequately illuminate the direction of travel.

(12) Brakes on power-driven vehicles. Vehicles shall be equipped with brakes and devices which will hold a parked vehicle with load on any grade on which it may be used. The brakes and parking devices shall be kept in proper operating condition at all times.

(13) Cleaning vehicles. All vehicles shall be kept free of excessive accumulations of dust and grease which may present a hazard.

(14) Lifting capacity of vehicle to be observed. At no time shall a load in excess of the manufacturer's maximum lifting capacity rating be lifted or carried. Such lifting capacity may only be altered with the approval of the equipment manufacturer or a qualified design engineer.

(15) Posting rated capacity. The maximum rated lifting capacity of all lift trucks shall at all times be posted on the vehicle in such a manner that it is readily visible to the operator.

(16) Carrying loose material. Lift trucks shall not be used to carry loose loads of pipe, steel, iron, lumber, palletized material, rolls of paper, or barrels unless adequate clearance is provided and the loads are stabilized.

(17) Position of lift forks or clamps. The forks or clamps of lift trucks shall be kept as low as possible while the vehicle is moving. They shall be lowered to the ground or floor when the vehicle is parked.

(18) Walking under loads prohibited. No person shall be allowed under the raised load of a lift truck, backhoe, or front end loader.

(19) Hoisting of personnel on vehicle forks prohibited. Personnel shall not be hoisted by standing directly on the forks of vehicles.

(20) Using forklifts as elevated work platforms. A platform or structure built specifically for hoisting persons may be used providing the following requirements are met:

(a) The structure must be securely attached to the forks and shall have standard guardrails and toeboards installed on all sides;

(b) The hydraulic system shall be so designed that the lift mechanism will not drop faster than one hundred thirty-five feet per minute in the event of a failure in any part of the system. Forklifts used for elevating work platforms shall be identified that they are so designed;

(c) A safety strap shall be installed or the control lever shall be locked to prevent the boom from tilting;

(d) An operator shall attend the lift equipment while workers are on the platform;

(e) The operator shall be in the normal operating position while raising or lowering the platform. A qualified operator shall remain in attendance whenever an employee is on the work platform;

(f) The vehicle shall not travel from point to point while workers are on the platform except that inching or maneuvering at very slow speed is permissible; and

(g) The area between workers on the platform and the mast shall be adequately guarded to prevent contact with chains or other shear points.

(21) Overhead guards on lift trucks. All lift trucks shall be equipped with an overhead guard constructed and installed to conform to USAS B56.1-1969 "Safety Code for Powered Industrial Trucks." This guard may be removed only when it cannot be used due to the nature of the work being performed in which case loads shall be maintained so as not to create a hazard to the operator.

(22) Protection from exhaust system. Any exhaust system which might be exposed to contact shall be properly insulated or isolated to protect personnel. Exhaust systems on lift trucks and jitneys shall be constructed to discharge either within twenty inches from the floor or eighty-four inches or more above the floor. The exhausted gases shall be directed away from the operator. The equipment shall be designed in such a manner that the operator will not be exposed to the fumes.

(23) Emergency exit from mobile equipment. Mobile equipment with an enclosed cab shall be provided with an escape hatch or other method of exit in case the regular exit cannot be used.

(24) Vehicle wheels chocked. When driving mobile equipment onto the bed of a vehicle, the wheels of the vehicle shall be chocked.

(25) Prevent trailer from tipping. Suitable methods shall be used or devices installed which will prevent the trailer from tipping while being loaded or unloaded.

(26) Refueling. Gasoline or LPG engines shall be shut off during refueling.

(27) Close valve on LPG container. Whenever vehicles using LP gas as a fuel are parked overnight or stored for extended periods of time indoors, with the fuel container in place, the service valve of the fuel container shall be closed.

(28) LPG tanks. LPG vehicle fuel tanks shall be installed and protected in a manner which will minimize the possibility of damage to the tank.

(29) Inspecting and testing of LPG containers. LPG containers shall be inspected and tested as required by chapter 296-24 WAC.

(30) Spinners on steering wheels. The use of spinners on steering wheels shall be prohibited unless an antikick device is installed or the equipment has a hydraulic steering system.

(31) The requirements of chapter 296-817 WAC, Hearing loss prevention (noise), apply to mobile equipment operation.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 03-11-060, § 296-59-090, filed 5/19/03, effective 8/1/03. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 88-14-108 (Order 88-11), § 296-59-090, filed 7/6/88.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 03-11-060, § 296-59-090, filed 5/19/03, effective 8/1/03. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 88-14-108 (Order 88-11), § 296-59-090, filed 7/6/88.

Rules

296-24,296-817,