29 C.F.R. § 1910.178
(b)
Designations. For the purpose of this standard there are eleven different designations of industrial trucks or tractors as follows: D, DS, DY, E, ES, EE, EX, G, GS, LP, and LPS.
(1)
The D designated units are units similar to the G units except that they are diesel engine powered instead of gasoline engine powered.
(2)
The DS designated units are diesel powered units that are provided with additional safeguards to the exhaust, fuel and electrical systems. They may be used in some locations where a D unit may not be considered suitable.
(3)
The DY designated units are diesel powered units that have all the safeguards of the DS units and in addition do not have any electrical equipment including the ignition and are equipped with temperature limitation features.
(4)
The E designated units are electrically powered units that have minimum acceptable safeguards against inherent fire hazards.
(5)
The ES designated units are electrically powered units that, in addition to all of the requirements for the E units, are provided with additional safeguards to the electrical system to prevent emission of hazardous sparks and to limit surface temperatures. They may be used in some locations where the use of an E unit may not be considered suitable.
(6)
The EE designated units are electrically powered units that have, in addition to all of the requirements for the E and ES units, the electric motors and all other electrical equipment completely enclosed. In certain locations the EE unit may be used where the use of an E and ES unit may not be considered suitable.
(7)
The EX designated units are electrically powered units that differ from the E, ES, or EE units in that the electrical fittings and equipment are so designed, constructed and assembled that the units may be used in certain atmospheres containing flammable vapors or dusts.
(8)
The G designated units are gasoline powered units having minimum acceptable safeguards against inherent fire hazards.
(9)
The GS designated units are gasoline powered units that are provided with additional safeguards to the exhaust, fuel, and electrical systems. They may be used in some locations where the use of a G unit may not be considered suitable.
(10)
The LP designated unit is similar to the G unit except that liquefied petroleum gas is used for fuel instead of gasoline.
(11)
The LPS designated units are liquefied petroleum gas powered units that are provided with additional safeguards to the exhaust, fuel, and electrical systems. They may be used in some locations where the use of an LP unit may not be considered suitable.
(12)
The atmosphere or location shall have been classified as to whether it is hazardous or nonhazardous prior to the consideration of industrial trucks being used therein and the type of industrial truck required shall be as provided in
paragraph (d) of this section for such location.
(g)
Changing and charging storage batteries.
(1)
Battery charging installations shall be located in areas designated for that purpose.
(2)
Facilities shall be provided for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte, for fire protection, for protecting charging apparatus from damage by trucks, and for adequate ventilation for dispersal of fumes from gassing batteries.
(4)
A conveyor, overhead hoist, or equivalent material handling equipment shall be provided for handling batteries.
(5)
Reinstalled batteries shall be properly positioned and secured in the truck.
(6)
A carboy tilter or siphon shall be provided for handling electrolyte.
(7)
When charging batteries, acid shall be poured into water; water shall not be poured into acid.
(8)
Trucks shall be properly positioned and brake applied before attempting to change or charge batteries.
(9)
Care shall be taken to assure that vent caps are functioning. The battery (or compartment) cover(s) shall be open to dissipate heat.
(10)
Smoking shall be prohibited in the charging area.
(11)
Precautions shall be taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas.
(12)
Tools and other metallic objects shall be kept away from the top of uncovered batteries.
(m)
Truck operations.
(1)
Trucks shall not be driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.
(2)
No person shall be allowed to stand or pass under the elevated portion of any truck, whether loaded or empty.
(3)
Unauthorized personnel shall not be permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks. A safe place to ride shall be provided where riding of trucks is authorized.
(4)
The employer shall prohibit arms or legs from being placed between the uprights of the mast or outside the running lines of the truck.
(5)
(i)
When a powered industrial truck is left unattended, load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls shall be neutralized, power shall be shut off, and brakes set. Wheels shall be blocked if the truck is parked on an incline.
(ii)
A powered industrial truck is unattended when the operator is 25 ft. or more away from the vehicle which remains in his view, or whenever the operator leaves the vehicle and it is not in his view.
(iii)
When the operator of an industrial truck is dismounted and within 25 ft. of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement.
(6)
A safe distance shall be maintained from the edge of ramps or platforms while on any elevated dock, or platform or freight car. Trucks shall not be used for opening or closing freight doors.
(7)
Brakes shall be set and wheel blocks shall be in place to prevent movement of trucks, trailers, or railroad cars while loading or unloading. Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer during loading or unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor. The flooring of trucks, trailers, and railroad cars shall be checked for breaks and weakness before they are driven onto.
(8)
There shall be sufficient headroom under overhead installations, lights, pipes, sprinkler system, etc.
(9)
An overhead guard shall be used as protection against falling objects. It should be noted that an overhead guard is intended to offer protection from the impact of small packages, boxes, bagged material, etc., representative of the job application, but not to withstand the impact of a falling capacity load.
(10)
A load backrest extension shall be used whenever necessary to minimize the possibility of the load or part of it from falling rearward.
(11)
Only approved industrial trucks shall be used in hazardous locations.
(14)
Fire aisles, access to stairways, and fire equipment shall be kept clear.
(n)
Traveling.
(1)
All traffic regulations shall be observed, including authorized plant speed limits. A safe distance shall be maintained approximately three truck lengths from the truck ahead, and the truck shall be kept under control at all times.
(2)
The right of way shall be yielded to ambulances, fire trucks, or other vehicles in emergency situations.
(3)
Other trucks traveling in the same direction at intersections, blind spots, or other dangerous locations shall not be passed.
(4)
The driver shall be required to slow down and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision is obstructed. If the load being carried obstructs forward view, the driver shall be required to travel with the load trailing.
(5)
Railroad tracks shall be crossed diagonally wherever possible. Parking closer than 8 feet from the center of railroad tracks is prohibited.
(6)
The driver shall be required to look in the direction of, and keep a clear view of the path of travel.
(7)
Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly.
(i)
When ascending or descending grades in excess of 10 percent, loaded trucks shall be driven with the load upgrade.
(iii)
On all grades the load and load engaging means shall be tilted back if applicable, and raised only as far as necessary to clear the road surface.
(8)
Under all travel conditions the truck shall be operated at a speed that will permit it to be brought to a stop in a safe manner.
(9)
Stunt driving and horseplay shall not be permitted.
(10)
The driver shall be required to slow down for wet and slippery floors.
(11)
Dockboard or bridgeplates, shall be properly secured before they are driven over. Dockboard or bridgeplates shall be driven over carefully and slowly and their rated capacity never exceeded.
(12)
Elevators shall be approached slowly, and then entered squarely after the elevator car is properly leveled. Once on the elevator, the controls shall be neutralized, power shut off, and the brakes set.
(13)
Motorized hand trucks must enter elevator or other confined areas with load end forward.
(14)
Running over loose objects on the roadway surface shall be avoided.
(15)
While negotiating turns, speed shall be reduced to a safe level by means of turning the hand steering wheel in a smooth, sweeping motion. Except when maneuvering at a very low speed, the hand steering wheel shall be turned at a moderate, even rate.
(q)
Maintenance of industrial trucks.
(1)
Any power-operated industrial truck not in safe operating condition shall be removed from service. All repairs shall be made by authorized personnel.
(2)
No repairs shall be made in Class I, II, and III locations.
(3)
Those repairs to the fuel and ignition systems of industrial trucks which involve fire hazards shall be conducted only in locations designated for such repairs.
(4)
Trucks in need of repairs to the electrical system shall have the battery disconnected prior to such repairs.
(5)
All parts of any such industrial truck requiring replacement shall be replaced only by parts equivalent as to safety with those used in the original design.
(6)
Industrial trucks shall not be altered so that the relative positions of the various parts are different from what they were when originally received from the manufacturer, nor shall they be altered either by the addition of extra parts not provided by the manufacturer or by the elimination of any parts, except as provided in
paragraph (q)(12) of this section. Additional counterweighting of fork trucks shall not be done unless approved by the truck manufacturer.
(7)
Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service, and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made at least daily.
(8)
Water mufflers shall be filled daily or as frequently as is necessary to prevent depletion of the supply of water below 75 percent of the filled capacity. Vehicles with mufflers having screens or other parts that may become clogged shall not be operated while such screens or parts are clogged. Any vehicle that emits hazardous sparks or flames from the exhaust system shall immediately be removed from service, and not returned to service until the cause for the emission of such sparks and flames has been eliminated.
(9)
When the temperature of any part of any truck is found to be in excess of its normal operating temperature, thus creating a hazardous condition, the vehicle shall be removed from service and not returned to service until the cause for such overheating has been eliminated.
(10)
Industrial trucks shall be kept in a clean condition, free of lint, excess oil, and grease. Noncombustible agents should be used for cleaning trucks. Low flash point (below 100 °F.) solvents shall not be used. High flash point (at or above 100 °F.) solvents may be used. Precautions regarding toxicity, ventilation, and fire hazard shall be consonant with the agent or solvent used.
(12)
Industrial trucks originally approved for the use of gasoline for fuel may be converted to liquefied petroleum gas fuel provided the complete conversion results in a truck which embodies the features specified for LP or LPS designated trucks. Such conversion equipment shall be approved. The description of the component parts of this conversion system and the recommended method of installation on specific trucks are contained in the “Listed by Report.”
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 40 FR 23073, May 28, 1975; 43 FR 49749, Oct. 24, 1978; 49 FR 5322, Feb. 10, 1984; 53 FR 12122, Apr. 12, 1988; 55 FR 32015, Aug. 6, 1990; 61 FR 9239, Mar. 7, 1996; 63 FR 66270, Dec. 1, 1998; 68 FR 32638, June 2, 2003; 71 FR 16672, Apr. 3, 2006; 81 FR 83005, Nov. 18, 2016]
Authority
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657; Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), 3-2000 (65 FR 50017), 5-2002 (67 FR 65008), 5-2007 (72 FR 31159), 4-2010 (75 FR 55355), or 1-2012 (77 FR 3912), as applicable; and 29 CFR part 1911.
Authority
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 941; 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657; Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754); 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), 3-2000 (65 FR 50017), 5-2002 (67 FR 65008), 5-2007 (72 FR 31160), 4-2010 (75 FR 55355), 1-2012 (77 FR 3912), 08-2020 (85 FR 58393), or 07-2025 (90 FR 27878); 29 CFR part 1911; and 5 U.S.C. 553, as applicable.
Source
Source: 39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, unless otherwise noted.
Source
Source: 39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975.
Amendments
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 40 FR 23073, May 28, 1975; 43 FR 49749, Oct. 24, 1978; 49 FR 5322, Feb. 10, 1984; 53 FR 12122, Apr. 12, 1988; 55 FR 32015, Aug. 6, 1990; 61 FR 9239, Mar. 7, 1996; 63 FR 66270, Dec. 1, 1998; 68 FR 32638, June 2, 2003; 71 FR 16672, Apr. 3, 2006; 81 FR 83005, Nov. 18, 2016]