Wesley PC-325-6SA - Manual (Page 8)

Owner’s Manual and Service Guide – PMT Series
8
INDUSTRY STANDARDS
The following text is provided as recommended by Part II,
“For the User”, of ANSI/ITSDF B56.8-2011, Safety Standard
for Personnel and Burden Carriers. The manufacturer
strongly endorses the contents of this specification.
6 GENERAL SAFETY PRACTICES
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1
Like other machines, carriers can cause injury if
improperly used or maintained. Part II contains broad safety
practices applicable to carrier operation. Before operation,
the user shall establish such additional specific safety
practices as may reasonably be required for safe operation.
6.1.2
Premise review — The user shall periodically
review their premises, and as conditions warrant, identify
areas where carriers should not be operated and to identify
possible hazards such as the following examples:
(a) Steep Grade — In areas where steep grades exist,
carrier operation should be restricted to the designated
vehicle’s pathways where possible, and shall be identified
with a suitable warning giving the following information:
“Warning, steep grade.”
(b) Wet Areas — Wet areas could cause a carrier to lose
traction and could affect steering, stability and braking.
(c) Sharp Turns, Blind Spots, Bridge Approaches —
Sharp turns, blind spots, bridge approaches, and other
potentially hazardous areas shall be identified with a suitable
warning to the operator of the nature of the hazard and
stating the proper precautions to be taken to avoid the
hazard.
(d) Loose Terrain — Loose terrain could cause a carrier
to lose traction and could affect steering, stability, and
braking.
6.2 Operation
Experience has shown that carriers, which comply with the
provisions, stated in paragraphs 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6 are stable
when properly operated and when operated in accordance
with specific safety rules and practices established to meet
actual operating terrain and conditions. However, improper
operation, faulty maintenance, or poor housekeeping may
contribute to a condition of instability and defeat the purpose
of the standard. Some of the conditions which may affect
stability are failure of the user to follow safety practices; also,
ground and floor conditions, grade, speed, loading, the
operation of the carrier with improper loads, battery weight,
dynamic and static forces, and the judgment exercised by
the carrier operator.
(a) The user shall train carrier operators to adhere
strictly to the operating instructions stated in this Standard.
(b) The user shall survey specific operating conditions
and environment, and establish and train carrier operators to
comply with additional, specific safety practices.
6.3 Nameplates, Markings, Capacity, and Modifications
6.3.1
The user shall maintain in a legible condition all
nameplates, warnings, and instructions, which are supplied
by the manufacturer.
6.3.2
Except as provided in 6.3.4, no modifications or
alterations to a carrier, which may affect the capacity,
stability, or safe operation of the carrier, shall be made
without the prior written approval of the original carrier
manufacturer or a successor thereof. When the carrier
manufacturer or its successor approves a modification or
alteration, appropriate changes shall be made to capacity
plates, decals, tags, and operation and maintenance
manuals.
6.3.3
As required under paragraphs 6.3.1 or 6.3.2, the
manufacturer shall be contacted to secure new nameplates,
warnings, or instructions, which shall then be affixed in their
proper place on the carrier.
6.3.4
In the event that the carrier manufacturer is no
longer in business and there is no successor in interest to
the business, the user may arrange for a modification or
alteration to a carrier, provided however, the controlling party
shall:
(1) Arrange for the modification or alteration to be
designed, tested, and implemented by an engineer(s) expert
in carrier(s) and their safety;
(2) Maintain a permanent record of the design, test(s),
and implementation of the modification or alteration;
(3) Make appropriate changes to the capacity plate(s),
decals, tags, and operation and maintenance manuals;
(4) Affix a permanent and readily visible label on the
carrier stating the manner in which the carrier has been
modified or altered together with the date of the modification
or alteration, and the name of the organization that
accomplished the tasks.
6.4 Changing and Charging Storage Batteries for
Electric Personnel and Burden Carriers
6.4.1
The user shall require battery changing and
charging facilities and procedures to be in accordance with
ANSI/NFPA 505 or as required by local ordinance.
6.4.2
The user shall periodically inspect facilities and
review procedures to be certain that ANSI/NFPA 505 or as
required by local ordinance, are strictly complied with, and
shall familiarize carrier operators with it.