Document NEgeK7jj6MD936epo2X41kwDR

Powered Industrial Trucks Safe Operation FjC 22-7 --Triangular guard prevents the operator from riding a powered handtruck the truck must be maneuvered in close quar ters The wheels of many powered handtrucks can be considered guarded by their position under the frame or lift platform However, where the wheels might injure the operator or others, guards should be installed Highlift platform rollers and chain sprockets should also be guarded Many trucks, however, are being manufac tured with a platform for the operator to nde in a standing position If this practice is per mitted, the operator should be protected against foot or leg injuries Pnsm-shaped covers can be installed over the battery box to discourage operators from sitting on the truck during operation (Fig 22-7) Remotely controlled trucks Since they are operated electronically with out the guidance of an operator, remote con trol (programed) trucks (Fig 22-8) must be provided with some means of bringing them to a complete stop if someone steps m front of the truck These trucks should be equipped with a lightweight, flexible bumper which, when contacted, shuts off the power and applies the brakes There should be suffi cient clearance between the bumper and the front of the truck to permit the truck to come to a full stop without contacting anyone m its path Powered industrial truck traffic accidents can be prevented by putting into operation the same safe practices that apply to highway traffic For example, a powered industrial truck operated at excessive speed is being run at a speed too high for the conditions at a given moment Safe speed is the rate of travel which will permit stopping the truck well within the certain clear distance ahead, and permit making a turn without hazard of over turn Wet or slippery floors require a slowerthan-ordinary speed Specific speed limits for trucks should be established A favored maximum speed for loaded power trucks moving forward is 6 mph, although this speed may be too high in con gested areas Many companies have installed governors, locking them in some instances Collisions between trucks and stationary objects often occur while trucks are backing, usually while turning and maneuvering In such cases, the operator may be so intent on handling the load that he forgets where the rear of his truck is going Backing accidents Fig 22-8 --Electronically controlled robot tnick (guided by floor stnp shown at lower right) has bumper which shuts off power when contacted Courtesy Barrett Electronics Corp 616