Page 257 - Safety Memo

Note: When guardrails are not possible due to clearance K. An employee must be properly trained (as certified by the
limits/nature of the work, personal fall protection is employer) before operating a forklift. 3668(a)
required. 3657(b)
1. An evaluation of the operator’s performance must be
5. Where boom type forklifts are used to elevate employees, conducted at least once every three years. 3668(d)
personal fall restraint or positioning devices must be used
in addition to the above requirements. 2. Refresher training in relevant topics must be provided to the
operator when: 3668(d)(1)
E. All forklifts must have parking brakes. 3661(b)
a. The operator is observed operating the vehicle in an
F. All forklifts must have an operable horn. 3661(c) unsafe manner.
G. When the operator is exposed to the possibility of falling b. The operator has been involved in an accident or near-
objects, the forklift must be equipped with overhead miss incident.
protection (canopy). 3657(d)
c. The operator’s evaluation reveals that he or she is not
H. When provided by the industrial truck manufacturer, an operating the truck safely.
operator restraint system such as a seat belt shall be used.
3650(t) d. The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck.
I. Seat belt assemblies shall be provided and used on all e. Changes in workplace conditions could affect safe
equipment where rollover protection is installed. 3653(a) operation of the truck.
L. The use, care, and maintenance of slings used in lifting
J. The employer must post and enforce a set of operating rules
that include the following: 3650(s) suspended loads must meet the requirements of Article 101 of
the GSO. 3650(u)
1. Only trained and authorized drivers may operate forklifts.
M. Loads must be so balanced, braced, or secured as to prevent
2. Stunt driving and horseplay are prohibited. tipping and falling. Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be
handled. 3650(l)
3. Employees must not ride on the forks.
4. Employees must never be permitted under the forks
(unless forks are blocked). Forms, Falsework, and
5. The driver must inspect the vehicle once during a shift. Vertical Shoring
6. The operator must look in the direction of travel and must
not move the vehicle until all persons are clear of the By definition, concrete forms are considered falsework. Falsework,
vehicle. however, also includes support systems for forms, newly
completed floors, bridge spans, etc., that provide support until
7. Forks must be carried as low as possible. appropriate curing or stressing processes have been completed.
8. The operator must lower the forks, shut off the engine, See below for selected SOs:
and set the brakes (or block the wheels) before leaving
the forklift unattended (when the operator is out of sight of A. Design of falsework
the vehicle or 25 ft. away from it). 1. Concrete formwork and falsework must be designed,
9. Trucks must be blocked and brakes must be set before a supported, and braced to safely withstand the intended
forklift is driven onto the truck bed. load. 1717(a)(1)
10. Extreme care must be taken when tilting elevated loads. 2. Falsework design, detailed calculations, and drawings must
be signed and approved by an engineer (Ca PE) if the
11. The forklift must have operable brakes capable of safely falsework height (sill to soffit) exceeds 14 ft., if the individual
stopping it when fully loaded. horizontal span length exceeds 16 ft., or if vehicle or railroad
traffic goes through the falsework. 1717(b) (1) (A), (B)

72 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 73