Manlift Safety for Users

Draft 1 24 2011

Problem• Numerous deaths from riding manlifts• CSHO’s have been riding the manlifts on

some inspection• Need for consistent policy.

• Numerous fatality – NOT just in grain, but manufacturing and others.

• Do we need to take the risk?

Solution

• Fit for duty Criteria• Training • Hands on Inspection Class• Testing/Certification• Pre ride risk assessment with supervisor approval. • Manlift Checklist for Inspection• Authorized Manlift Rider Record Retention

Fatality

• At approximately 12:15p.m. on December 22, 2004, Employee #1, working for Bartlett Grain Co. in Kansas City, MO, was operating a manlift when he fell backward. As Employee #1 fell, he struck a steel guard and eventually landed on a concrete floor. He suffered fatal blunt force trauma injuries. Employee #1 used the man lift multiple times daily; traveling to work areas on upper and lower levels of the facility. The exact distance he fell is inconclusive.

• Many others in notes

Another Fatality

• At approximately 8:45a.m. on January 29, 2009, Employee #1, working for Archer Daniel Midlands in Lincoln, NE was riding a belt operated manlift when he fell approximately 80ft. to his death. As Employee #1 fell nearly 22ft, he struck an air duct system knocking it 19ft from its connection point causing him to fall through the manhole falling an additional 40ft hitting each wall and landing on a concrete floor. He suffered fatal blunt force trauma injuries. Employee #1 used the man lift multiple times daily for 32 years; traveling to work areas on upper and lower levels of the facility.

Preliminary Before Use

• Only authorized employees, trained in their use, shall be permitted to use manlifts.

• You must have passed a hand-on inspection class and certification of training to use/ride a manlift.

• Ask employer for inspection logs and repair logs. Review.

• Conduct a pre-ride Job Safety Analysis

Pre-use Inspection• Inspect landing spaces to ensure that it is open and clear of

any objects that might interfere with people getting on or off the manlift.

• Inspect Manlift area for safety, clearances,minimum step size, floor opening size, area landing so there is no debris, wheat or flour or water to slip on, etc..

• Complete Manlift safety inspection checklist (to be developed if we decide to use)

• Do not use if any issues unresolved from inspections, JSA or record review.

• 1910.68(c)(3)(i)Minimum depth. Steps or platforms shall be not less than 12 inches nor more than 14 inches deep, measured from the belt to the edge of the step or platform.

1910.68(c)(3)(ii)Width. The width of the step or platform shall be not less than the width of the belt to which it is attached

Inspection1910.68(c)(1)(ii)(b)The width of the belt shall be not less than 12 inches for a travel not exceeding 100 feet, not less than 14 inches for a travel greater than 100 feet but not exceeding 150 feet and 16 inches for a travel exceeding 150 feet.

• 1910.68(c(3(v)Surfaces. The upper or working surfaces of the step shall be of a material having inherent nonslip characteristics (coefficient of friction not less than 0.5) or shall be covered completely by a nonslip tread securely fastened to it

Inspection

• 1910.68(b)(7)(i)Fixed type. On the ascending side of the manlift floor openings shall be provided with a bevel guard or cone meeting the following requirements1910.68(b)(7)(i)(a)The cone shall make an angle of not less than 45 deg. with the horizontal. An angle of 60 deg. or greater shall be used where ceiling heights permit.

Riding Precautions• Only one rider per step allowed.• Both hands must be free. • Face the belt directly. • Grasp the handhold before placing your

foot on the step.• Grasp the handhold firmly with both

hands.• Keep both feet square on the step.• Step on or off only at floor levels. • Do not leap to catch a step that has

passed the floor landing.

Precautions

• If the manlift stops, be sure everyone using it is in the clear before having the employer is starting it up again.

• The manlift can be stopped at any point by pulling the control rope in the direction of belt travel.

• No unauthorized adjusting or tampering with the electrical controls allowed.

Precautions• No tools or other objects of any kind should

be carried, except those that can be completely enclosed in a pocket

• Do not use the manlift as a freight-lift for inspection equipment, sampling media, or cases.

• Report promptly to management any defect or irregularity in the operation of the manlift. Do not use again.

Periodic Inspection

• All manlifts shall be inspected by a competent designated person at intervals of not more than 30 days.

• Limit switches shall be checked weekly. • Manlifts found to be unsafe shall not be

operated until properly repaired.

Periodic InspectionsThis periodic inspection shall cover but is not limited to the following items:• Steps.                       • Step Fastenings.Rails.• Rail Supports and

Fastenings.• Rollers and Slides.• Belt and Belt Tension.• Handholds and Fastenings.• Floor Landings.• Guardrails.• Lubrication.• Limit Switches.• Warning Signs and Lights.• Illumination.

• Drive Pulley.• Bottom (boot) Pulley and

Clearance.• Pulley Supports.• Motor.• Driving Mechanism.• Brake.• Electrical Switches.• Vibration and

Misalignment.• "Skip" on up or down

run when mounting step (indicating worn gears).

ANSI • ANSI Safety Standard for

Belt Manlifts • ASME A90.1-2009• Floor openings• Riding Clearance• Vertical Clearance• Lighting• Emergency landings• Protection of Entrances

and Entrances• Guardrails• Splices

• Clearance from floor• Emergency Exit ladder• Superstructure Bracing• Weather Protection• Belt strength, material,

width, fastening• Repairs• Annual Tests• Brakes• Warning Signs Top

Bottom• Warning Lights• Safety Stops• Stop Start Control rope

Further

• Wind Energy Fit for Duty is similar• Region V Wind Energy policy at Robin who is

working with Occ Docs.• Thanks to friends that helped.

• John Newquist 312 353-5977• Newquist.john@osha.gov