Powered industrial trucks - Washington

Most of Washington’s requirements for powered industrial trucks are equivalent to the federal requirements; however, the state adds further requirements. A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Washington state defines “DY” as a diesel-powered truck that has all the safeguards of the DS unit and that is equipped with temperature limitation features, but any electrical equipment is enclosed completely. Federal OSHA, on the other hand, says DY units do not have any electrical equipment including the ignition.
• Powered industrial trucks manufactured before March 1, 2000, must meet ANSI B56.1-1969, Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks.
• Powered industrial trucks manufactured on or after March 1, 2000, must meet ANSI B56.1-1993, Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks.
• Rough terrain forklift trucks manufactured on or after January 1, 2005, must meet ANSI B56.6-1992, Safety Standard for Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks.
• Washington state allows the change of position of parts of a powered industrial truck and the addition of extra parts not provided by the manufacturer, if the employer receives written approval from the powered industrial truck manufacturer. Federal OSHA does not allow such modifications or additions.
• The powered industrial truck nameplate must contain, among other things, the model and serial number and the weight.
• WAC 296-863-20020 provides conditions for operating a high lift rider truck without a guard.
• High lift rider trucks with overhead guards must meet ANSI B56.1-1993.
• WAC 296-863-20025 lists requirements for providing fall protection on order pickers.
• WAC 296-863-20035 lists additional requirements for liquefied petroleum gas fueled powered industrial trucks.
• Employers must inspect powered industrial trucks according to manufacturer instructions.
• Only authorized persons may repair powered industrial trucks.
• Employers must handle and store liquid fuels according to NFPA 30-1996, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. Further requirements for fueling are found in WAC 296-863-30025.
• Employers must handle and store liquefied petroleum gas fuel according to NFPA 58-1998, Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases. Further requirements for fueling are found in WAC 296-863-30030.
• Employers must ensure that powered industrial truck operators use seatbelts, lap-bars, or other restraint devices when they are provided.
• Unlike Federal OSHA, Washington state allows railroad car doors to be opened and closed using powered industrial trucks, but only under the conditions listed at WAC 296-863-40045.
• WAC 296-863-40050 allows for the use of mechanical means (instead of wheel chocks or blocks) to secure a highway truck trailer, if they prevent movement of the trailer, if used/maintained as directed by manufacturer, and if removed from service when damaged.
• Unlike Federal OSHA, Washington state covers powered industrial trucks used to lift people. See WAC 296-863-40060 and 296-863-40065.
• Washington state adds the use of door opening and closing devices as a required training topic for powered industrial truck operators.
• Washington state does not specifically require powered industrial truck operators to be trained in all the requirements of WAC 296-863. However, Federal OSHA does require powered industrial truck operators to be trained in the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.178.
• Employers are only required to provide refresher training in topics the operator is deficient in.
• Unlike Federal OSHA, Washington state provides a definitions section at WAC 296-863-700.
• Washington state does not provide a non-mandatory Appendix, as Federal OSHA does.
• Washington state is missing the requirements for powered industrial trucks to ascend and descend grades slowly.
• Washington state is missing the specific requirements for employers to fill water mufflers daily or as frequently as is necessary to prevent depletion of the supply of water below 75 percent of the filled capacity. However, WAC 296-863-30005 calls for employers to ensure powered industrial trucks are in safe working condition, and WAC 296-863-30010 calls for daily inspection before use.
• Washington state has removed a few requirements from WAC 296-24-47511, Liquefied Petroleum Gas as a Motor Fuel, to include in WAC 296-863, Forklifts and Other Powered Industrial Trucks.

To ensure that you are in compliance with these requirements, click on the following links to view the state and federal regulations regarding powered industrial trucks:

WAC 296-863 Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks

• WAC 296-863-10005 Scope
• WAC 296-863-200 Design, construction, and equipment
• WAC 296-863-20005 Make sure PITs meet design and construction requirements
• WAC 296-863-20010 Meet these requirements when modifying or altering PITs
• WAC 296-863-20015 Make sure PITs are properly labeled
• WAC 296-863-20020 Protect operators from falling objects
• WAC 296-863-20025 Provide fall protection on order pickers
• WAC 296-863-20030 Provide directional lights on PITs when required
• WAC 296-863-20035 Make sure liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fueled PITs meet these requirements
• WAC 296-863-20040 Meet these requirements when converting gasoline fuel PITs to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel
• WAC 296-863-300 Inspection, repair, maintenance, and servicing
• WAC 296-863-30010 Inspect your PITs
• WAC 296-863-30015 Meet these requirements when repairing PITs
• WAC 296-863-30020 Maintain your PITs properly
• WAC 296-863-30025 Service gasoline fueled PITs safely
• WAC 296-863-30030 Service liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fueled PITs safely
• WAC 296-863-30035 Make sure battery charging areas are safe
• WAC 296-863-30040 Service batteries for electric PITs safely
• WAC 296-863-400 Operations
• WAC 296-863-40005 Protect employees around PITs
• WAC 296-863-40010 Operate PITs safely
• WAC 296-863-40015 Make sure PIT loads are carried safely
• WAC 296-863-40020 Meet these requirements when the operator leaves the normal operating position
• WAC 296-863-40025 Meet these requirements when operating near railroad tracks
• WAC 296-863-40030 Meet this requirement when using motorized hand trucks
• WAC 296-863-40035 Meet these requirements when using elevators
• WAC 296-863-40040 Meet these requirements when using dockboards (bridge plates)
• WAC 296-863-40045 Meet these requirements when loading or unloading railroad cars with a PIT
• WAC 296-863-40050 Meet these requirements when loading or unloading highway trucks with PITs
• WAC 296-863-40055 Meet these additional requirements when operating liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fueled PITs
• WAC 296-863-40060 Make sure work platforms and PITs used to lift people meet these requirements
• WAC 296-863-40065 Operate PITs using elevated work platforms safely
• WAC 296-863-500 Hazardous (classified) locations
• WAC 296-863-50005 Use the appropriate PITs in hazardous (classified) locations
• WAC 296-863-600 Training
• WAC 296-863-60005 Make sure PIT operators are trained
• WAC 296-863-60010 Retrain PIT operators as required
• WAC 296-863-60015 Evaluate PIT operators performance
• WAC 296-863-700 Definitions

Federal: 29 CFR 1910.178 and Appendix A