Wash. Admin. Code § 296-59-090

Current through Register Vol. 25-01, January 1, 2025

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

(1) Mobile equipment must be designed, constructed, maintained, and used in accordance with this section and appropriate ANSI and/or S.A.E. requirements.

(2) Operator training.

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

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

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

(3) Special duties of operator. Special duties of the operator of a power-driven vehicle must 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 fork-lift vehicle on a grade.

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

(5) Raised equipment to be blocked. Employees must 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 must be used in conjunction with the jack.

(6) Precautions to be taken while inflating tire. Unmounted split rim wheels must be placed in a safety cage or other device must 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 must report the suspected defect immediately to the person in charge. Any defect which would make the vehicle unsafe to operate under existing conditions must be cause for immediate removal from service. The vehicle must not be put back into use until it has been made safe.

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

(9) Unobstructed view.

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

(b) Where practical, mirrors must 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 must 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 must 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 must be provided.

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

(d) Exterior passengers must 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 must use good judgment with respect to speed and terrain when carrying exterior passengers.

(11) Horns and lights.

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

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

(12) Brakes on power-driven vehicles. Vehicles must 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 must be kept in proper operating condition at all times.

(13) Cleaning vehicles. All vehicles must 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 must 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 must be posted at all times on the vehicle in such a manner that it is readily visible to the operator.

(16) Carrying loose material. Lift trucks must 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 must be kept as low as possible while the vehicle is moving. They must be lowered to the ground or floor when the vehicle is parked.

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

(19) Hoisting of personnel on vehicle forks prohibited. Personnel must 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 must have standard guardrails and toeboards installed on all sides;

(b) The hydraulic system must 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 must be identified that they are so designed;

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

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

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

(f) The vehicle must 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 must be adequately guarded to prevent contact with chains or other shear points.

(21) Overhead guards on lift trucks. All lift trucks must 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 must 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 must be properly insulated or isolated to protect personnel. Exhaust systems on lift trucks and jitneys must be constructed to discharge either within twenty inches from the floor or eighty-four inches or more above the floor. The exhausted gases must be directed away from the operator. The equipment must 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 must 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 must be chocked.

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

(26) Refueling. Gasoline or LPG engines must 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 must be closed.

(28) LPG tanks. LPG vehicle fuel tanks must 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 must be inspected and tested as required by chapter 296-24 WAC.

(30) Spinners on steering wheels. The use of spinners on steering wheels must be prohibited unless an anti-kick 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.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-59-090

Amended by WSR 17-16-132, Filed 8/1/2017, effective 9/1/2017

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