Equipment & Vehicles - General Requirements Part 2
Material Handling Equipment (1926.602)
The types of equipment referred to in this section are as follows:
- Earthmoving equipment - scrapers, loaders, crawler or wheel tractors, bulldozers, off-highway trucks, graders, agricultural and industrial tractors, and similar equipment.
Note: Specific rules for compactors and rubber-tired “skid-steer” equipment are reserved due to standards currently being developed.
Seat belts - are a requirement for all equipment that is covered in this section. However, seat belts are not required for equipment which is designed - only for standup operation, and/or equipment that is not equipped with a roll-over protective structure or canopy protection. The reason behind the latter of these two exceptions is; if an operator was wearing a seatbelt with no roll-over or canopy protection, he/she could become trapped or crushed in the event of a roll-over, rather than being afforded the freedom of mobility (not bound by a seatbelt) to immediately vacate (leap or jump from) the equipment prior to or during a roll-over.
Access roadways and grades may not be used for movement of construction equipment or vehicles unless the roadway or grade is constructed and maintained to accommodate the equipment or vehicles safely.
All earthmoving equipment must have an operable service braking system that is capable of stopping and holding the equipment while fully loaded.
Bi-directional equipment such as rollers, compactors, front-end loaders, bulldozers, and other similar equipment must be equipped with an operable audible alarm (horn), audible above the ambient noise level.
No earthmoving or compacting equipment which has an obstructed view to the rear may be used unless the equipment is equipped with a reverse signal alarm or an employee signals that it is safe to move.
Lifting and hauling equipment such as lift trucks, stackers, etc., must have the rated capacity posted on the equipment/vehicle clearly and in plain view of the operator. When auxiliary removable counterweights as provided by the manufacturer are used, those corresponding rated capacities shall also be posted/shown. Ratings must not be exceeded. Also, any modifications or additions to equipment that may affect the capacity ratings or safe operation of the equipment will require the manufacturer’s written approval. When changes or additions are made, the equipment’s operating and maintenance instructions, plates, tags, decals, load ratings, etc. shall be changed/revised to reflect those modifications.
Equipment may not be equipped with a steering or spinner knob unless the steering mechanism is of a type that prevents road reactions from causing the steering wheel to rebound or spin.
Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks. When riding of trucks is authorized, then a safe place to ride must be provided.
The information as outlined in this article focuses primarily on the requirements for “vehicles” and “equipment” in the workplace or on the jobsite. Please refer to these sections of the CFR (including Subpart-W Rollover Protective Structures: Overhead Protection) for a more in-depth review of these regulations.
This is part two of a two-part series on Equipment & Vehicles - General Requirements
Part One: Equipment & Vehicles - General Requirements Part 1