Controls - Lighting, Ventilation, & Braking

Employers must provide facilities for the safe operation and maintenance of industrial equipment, including specific areas addressing lighting, ventilation, and braking.

Lighting for Operating Areas

Where general lighting is less than two lumens per square foot, employers must provide auxiliary directional lighting on the truck.

Ventilation

GISO 3650 prohibits powered industrial trucks from operating in atmospheres containing more than 20 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) of flammable gas or vapor, unless industrial trucks approved for the exposure can be operated in atmospheres containing hazardous quantities of combustible dusts and ignitable fibers. Approval and area designation must be based on NFPA 505 - 1982, with appropriate labeling. Concentration levels of carbon monoxide gas created by powered industrial truck operations must not exceed the levels outlined in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000.

Brakes

The brakes of highway trucks must be set and the wheel chocks must be placed under the rear wheels to prevent the highway trucks from rolling while they are boarded with powered industrial trucks.

Provide wheel stops, or other recognized positive protection, to prevent railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading operations involving industrial equipment.

Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer and prevent upending during loading or unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor.

Provide protection to prevent railroad cars from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position.

To learn more about Industrial Equipment visit our Cal/OSHA Industrial Equipment, Lift Trucks and Tractors Online Training web page.