Occupation Safety and Health Administration OSHA 2236 2002
Using mechanical equipment to move and store materials increases the potential for employee injuries. Workers must be aware of both manual handling safety concerns and safe equipment operating techniques. Employees should avoid overloading equipment when moving materials mechanically by letting the weight, size, and shape of the material being moved dictate the type of equipment used. All materialshandling equipment has rated capacities that determine the maximum weight the equipment can safely handle and the conditions under which it can handle that weight. Employers must ensure that the equipment-rated capacity is displayed on each piece of equipment and is not exceeded except for load testing.
Although workers may be knowledgeable about powered equipment, they should take precautions when stacking and storing material. When picking up items with a powered
industrial truck, workers must do the following:
■ Center the load on the forks as close to the mast as possible to minimize the potential for the truck tipping or the load falling,
■ Avoid overloading a lift truck because it impairs control and causes tipping over,
■ Do not place extra weight on the rear of a counterbalanced forklift to allow an overload,
■ Adjust the load to the lowest position when traveling,
■ Follow the truck manufacturer’s operational requirements, and
■ Pile and cross-tier all stacked loads correctly when possible.
