Free Rigging a Forklift
I had another great question come up this week regarding "free rigging", which is the direct attachment to or placement of rigging equipment (e.g., slings, shackles, rings, etc.) onto the tines (forks) of a powered industrial truck (PIT) for a below-the-tines lift without the use of an approved lifting attachment.
𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Is the concept "free rigging" a PIT (e.g., forklift) an acceptable and compliant practice?
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: It depends, but typically, no.
𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: At the end of the day, the easiest thing to do in most situations would be to use an approved attachment to make the lift. However, that may not always be an option for a variety of factors.
While "free rigging" is a pretty common practice in a variety of industries (especially construction), it is a violation of OSHA standards UNLESS you jump through a few hoops first.
Free rigging could affect the PIT's capacity and safe operation, so if you look at OSHA's PIT standard (29 CFR 1910.178) it states that "Modifications and additions which affect the capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user WITHOUT MANUFACTURER'S PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly." In addition, the standard also states that "Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be handled. Caution shall be exercised when handling off-center loads which cannot be centered."
To see the rest of the explantion and the OSHA standard interpretation regarding this topic, visit the link below.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/arrowsafetyus_arrowsafety-safety-safetyconsultant-activity-7226662130039619585-eCrD?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Comments (8)
My pet peeve during a safety audit because everytime I bring it up, I get a look (or statement) like I asked a serious scientific question while dressed as a Sasquatch.
First you are right in your link where you talk about getting manufacturer approval to change something. I never tried to get manufacturer approval for "free-rigging" but have tried it 6 times for other items (a couple for other modifications to PITs) but mostly to change something on a machine used in the manufacturing process. I remember one was on a grinder that had manufacturer signage requiring the use of gloves when using the machine by operators. An employee reporting his glove getting caught in the machine and almost having his hand pulled into the machine! Then I had several employees complaining and worried about it! I thought for sure when I told the manufacturer about it they would allow me to remove the signage! I had been 0 for 5 asking for modifications and thought I might get my first +! But to my surprise they were a prompt "No!" So I am now 0/6 for getting manufacturers' permission to modify! I have never heard of anyone else ever getting a "Yes" either!
To me "free-rigging" just looks unsafe! One of Fitz's Safety Rules is, "If something looks, sounds, smells, feels, or even 'seems' unsafe, it almost always IS UNSAFE! Not to mention another Fitz's Safety Rules, "Use all things as "designed and intended!"
You gave a much more educated and logical answer! Great job! I have seen this done in manufacturing too.
What you think about a boom attachment on a PIT like these:
https://www.vevor.com/forklift-mobile-crane-c_10413/forklift-mobile-crane-forklift-crane-attachment-6000lbs-lifting-hoist-jib-boom-p_010365481709?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=19751771170&ad_group=&ad_id=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsy1BhD7ARIsAHOi4xbyvz996gj0_kN0xb14S-Hl2FGnaBCIEgRuzSiKywz7j9pRALtb8t0aAsP3EALw_wcB
https://www.topregal.us/en-us/tractor-forklift-accessories/crane-arm-for-forklift-wll-5-512-lbs-solidhub.html?shp=10&gmc=1&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsy1BhD7ARIsAHOi4xaf1ZQwvJU4QCSbx6jNfp8oMHX6OoFOAd9dVu7aaPRpWfIxCsl0tF8aAszcEALw_
Adhering to the manufacturer's specifications should be my primary approach. Utilizing equipment without following established procedures and specifications may result in significant risks. I recommend considering the standard as the minimum requirement for best practices.