Construction Hazard Alert: Using Reach Forklifts as Cranes [2020]

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  Using reach forklifts, a type of powered industrial truck (PIT), to lift and move suspended materials can be hazardous. These activities can change the capacity and handling of the PIT. Recent severe incidents include tip overs, contacting power lines, and workers struck by loads. TASK Using a reach forklift to place 1300lb steel trusses. HAZARDS Workers were on foot in the fall zone while the operator picked and moved the trusses. The employer used new slings and a new beam clamp but did not realize that this method needed to be approved by the manufacturer. TASK Using a rough terrain reach forklift to place 3000lb steel purlins. HAZARDS The chain wrapped around the carriage, outside of the 24" load center, created a tip-over hazard. The operator's manual warned, "Do not suspend loads using slings or chains directly from the forks or fork carriage". TASK Using a reach forklift to place 850lb wood wall sections. HAZARDS Workers were directly under the sections as they were being placed. The winch attachment slid onto the forks. The manufacturer and rating of the attachment were unknown. TASK Using a reach forklift boom to hoist a 1900lb sculpture. HAZARDS With the carriage removed, they used a chain wrapped around the knuckle pin, a come-along, and a sling to rig the sculpture. Plastic zip ties were used to keep the chain on the hook while workers positioned the sculpture. REQUIREMENTS: You must have written approval from the PIT manufacturer before making any modifications to the PIT. You must protect workers around PITs. PITs configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load are considered power-operated cranes. RESOURCES: Forklift Safety Guide. Forklift Training for Trainers. Most manufacturers provide electronic versions of operator's manuals and lift charts online. Description provided by NIOSH
• Subjects:
  • Accidental Falls
  • Accidents
  • Construction Industry
  • Occupational Health
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Safety
  • Staff Development
  • Workplace
• Keywords:
  • Construction
  • Fall protection
  • Falls
  • Training
  • Safety equipment
  • Safety measures
  • Safety practices
  • Hazards
  • Protective measures
  • Safety education
  More +
• Series:
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066461
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 47-28-2020, 2020 Jun; :1
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Construction hazard alert: using reach forklifts as cranes
• End Date:
  20260630
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/229133/cdc_229133_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 277.73 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b122aa474b32d229f4f5259144ea7d58aaceb835e9bb744f00e0a7a7f9c2fe9da0784d34f11e3f93274c04ddd48a0ab581392aa024417ac3e7e1e94a4c400497