Or. Admin. R. 437-003-3226

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 6, June 1, 2024

Section 437-003-3226 - Vehicles for Use on Property Other Than Public Roads and Highways Operation, Characteristics and Maintenance

(1) Scope. This rule applies to employer-owned vehicles, not licensed or normally operated on public highways or roads, except the following:

(a) Powered Industrial Trucks covered in OR-OSHA standard 1910.178 and OAR 437-002-0227.

(b) Earth moving equipment, (scrapers, loaders, bulldozers and graders) covered by OAR 437-003-1926.602.

(c) Manufactured structures, ATVs, golf carts and other similar devices not intended for highway or road use.

(2) Safe Operation. You must require the driver to:

(a) Look in the direction of travel and have a clear view unless being guided by somebody with a clear view of the route.

(b) Slow or stop as appropriate at intersections and not drive in marked pedestrian lanes.

(c) Not drive a vehicle up to a person standing in front of a stationary object.

(d) Manually control all towed or pushed vehicles unless they use a towbar.

(3) Vehicle Loads. You must protect employees from hazardous vehicle loads by requiring that they:

(a) Not load a vehicle beyond its rated capacity.

(b) Stabilize, lash down or otherwise secure the load.

(c) Never be under an elevated load.

(4) Basic Equipment Requirements. You must assure your vehicles comply with the following:

(a) Vehicles with windshields must have working powered wipers and an effective defroster.

(b) There must be no broken glass that impairs the driver's vision.

(c) When the load or passengers obstruct the use of the interior rear view mirror, there must be an outside rear view mirror on each side of the vehicle.

(d) Vehicle brakes must be effective when the vehicle is fully loaded. The parking brake must hold the loaded vehicle on any slope which it may operate.

NOTE: The rules on safety chains do not apply to saddle-mount towing, or to a semitrailer coupled to a towing vehicle with a fifth wheel and kingpin assembly so designed that the upper and lower halves may not separate without being manually released onto a dolly without a tow bar.

(5) Uncoupled towing. You must assure that:

(a) Towed vehicles with a gross weight of 5,000 pounds or less must have at least one safety chain or cable. Towed vehicles with a gross weight more than 5,000 pounds must have at least two safety chains or cables.

(b) Safety chains or cables must be strong enough to control the towed vehicle in event the tow bar or coupling device fails.

(c) Safety chains or cables must connect to the towed and towing vehicles and to the tow bar so as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground if it or the coupling device fails.

(d) There must be only enough slack in safety chains or cables to permit proper turning.

(6) Coupled towing. You must assure that:

(a) Drawbar, coupling device, and other connections for towing of trailers must be strong enough to hold the weight of the towed vehicle on any grade over which it may operate.

(b) Any coupling device on any towing vehicle used as a connection for the tow bar on any towed vehicle with a gross weight more than 5,000 pounds must be firmly attached to the frame or to a solid connection to the frame.

(c) There must be a suitable locking means to prevent accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles.

(d) Connections must have only enough slack to allow for universal action of the connections.

NOTE: When operating a vehicle near overhead power lines more than 600 volts, OAR 437-002-0047 applies for General Industry employers and OAR 437-003-0047 applies for Construction employers.

Or. Admin. R. 437-003-3226

OSHA 6-2007, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-07

Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) & 656.726(3)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 - 654.295