Heavy material handling requiring the use of forklifts and other powered industrial trucks (PIT) is a potentially hazardous activity. To ensure the safety of forklift/PIT use, the Laboratory requires stringent controls for the use of such equipment and that the procurement, maintenance, and inspection of such equipment is strictly controlled.
PITs include not only forklifts, but also tow motors, pushers, electric pallet movers, and electric stackers.
Information for New Employees
- Training: New forklift/PIT operators must make an appointment with LBNL Health Services to receive medical clearance prior to training and use. Contact Health Services at x6266.
- Click here for LBNL’s List of Forklift Managers
Guidance on Using Forklift Attachments
LBNL Facilities (FAC) personnel shall follow the FAC “LBNL Lifting and Rigging Procedure, MA.MG.PRC.417” form for all activities involving rigging and use of fixtures on PITs. All other LBNL groups/personnel may choose to follow the FAC procedure or develop their own written procedure(s). PIT manufacturer guidance shall always be followed when using any manufactured fixtures.
Equipment managers, with line management approval, must implement a written procedure for use of any attachments; involve the FAC rigging supervisor, FAC structural engineer designee and EHS PIT program manager for review and approval; and train personnel on the use of the attachments.
Attachments for PITs must be used within both the PIT and attachment manufacturers’ guidelines. The capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plate(s) tags and/or decals must be updated to reflect the lift calculation revisions with associated attachments. These must be permanently affixed to the inside of the operator’s cab for quick reference along with the operator’s manual.
CAUTION:
- Attachments typically reduce lift capacity
- Tipping potential may be increased
- DO NOT exceed combined lift capacity for both
- PITs with attachments must be treated partially loaded at all times
- Attachments must be inspected (documented) per shift prior to use
- Equipment managers must implement a written procedure for use of any attachments and train their personnel on its use
RSS Inspect App for Forklift Inspections
Pre-use inspections must be conducted using the RSS mobile app or a computer. For assistance with a device or on conducting the inspection, contact the equipment manager. For additional assistance with downloading the RSS database/program please contact Michael Kincaid (mkincaid@lbl.gov or call (707) 853-3115.
1) Search “RSS inspect” on a mobile device or from a computer search engine. Sign in using your LBNL LDAP username, password, and authenticator code.
2) Once on the site, click “Start Inspection.”
3) Choose either “LBNL Electric Forklift Daily Pre-Shift Checklist” or “LBNL LPG, Gas or Diesel Forklift Daily Pre-Shift Checklist”
4) Type in “MH” and choose the material handling number of the forklift you’ll be inspecting and using.
5) Confirm the information and then click “Let’s Go.”
6) Confirm the equipment and conduct your inspection.
7) If any issues do exist, click the “X” and fill out the information before completing the inspection by clicking the “submit” button.
For any issues found, please notify the equipment manager and send an email to ‘Fleet@lbl.gov,” with the equipment number “MH”, the location of the equipment, and the issue. DO NOT USE the equipment until the issue is fixed and the equipment is cleared by Fleet.
