Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1009631
24 PalletCentral • July-August 2018 palletcentral.com SAFETY When lifting loads, workers must have situational awareness for things like insufficient clearance, falling load potential, and stuck loads. It is also a good practice to inspect floors regularly and to replace any bad areas quickly to avoid potentially destabilizing industrial trucks. When lowering loads, the same potential for falling materials exists, and operators should avoid striking objects (or people) as they maneuver the load downward. High tiering can trigger tipovers, so the heaviest loads should be set on the bottom tier of racking systems, with the lightest loads at the top tiers. Conventional rack storage systems are designed for the counterbalanced lift truck, which requires about a 12-foot aisle width. If a warehouse has a "narrow aisle" storage space, it will require the use of reach trucks and order pickers to operate in this environment. This means additional worker training would be required, as well as the use of personal fall protection equipment on the elevated platforms of powered industrial trucks. OSHA has additional specifications when moving pallets into truck trailers or railcars. The 2016 "walking/working surfaces" rule has a specific section with detailed requirements for the use of dockboards (1910.30) and they must have handholds, or other means to permit safe handling. Truck wheels must be chocked while dockboards are in place, and railcars must have positive protection to prevent them from moving while a dockboard is in position. Finally, OSHA reminds employers that workers must inspect the floors of truck trailers before loading pallets or other cargo to make sure that they can support the forklift and the load, and ensure that the height of the entry door is adequate to clear the height of the vehicle and its load. In determining capacity, consider factors including floor thickness and cross-member spacing, or unsupported floor areas. PC Fire safety codes for storage of pallets will be enforced both by OSHA (through its fire safety standards or the General Duty Clause) as well as by local building code enforcement officials. Adele L. Abrams is an attorney and safety professional who represents companies in litigation with OSHA and also provides safety training and consultation. The Law Office of Adele L. Abrams PC has three offices: Beltsville, MD; Denver, CO; and Charleston, WV. Adele can be reached at 301-595-3520 or www.safety-law.com.