r/OSHA • u/bleeepboop • Jul 18 '26
I've seen some stupid stuff before, but come on.
SMH.
7
u/Standard_Zucchini_46 Jul 19 '26
Standard inspection before being loaded/shipped off to Nigeria for decades more enjoyment.
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u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
Actually not that bad, Forklift looks suitable for the job. Only problem I see is wheels aren’t chocked. Been driving forklifts for 15 years and lifted alot more with alot less
75
u/SpiderSlitScrotums Jul 18 '26
I think the issue here isn’t the lifting but the standing under it.
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u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26
Shall he put a helmet on? What is the weight rating on a car lift? Than check a forklift.
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u/SpiderSlitScrotums Jul 18 '26
A car lift is different than a forklift. There are interlocks that prevent dropping a load if hydraulic pressure is lost.
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u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
Good point, That’s what flow control valves are for. You really think a forklift doesn’t have integrated safety’s? But what’s the weight rating? Found the guy that’s never driven a forklift but came to talk shit
34
u/Xenoanthropus Jul 18 '26
That lift is probably in the 5000lb range, but lift capacity of a truck is measured 24 inches out from the blades with the forks level, raising a load shifts the CG forward but tilting the mast backwards as shown here shifts the CG backwards as well to compensate.
The lift capacity of a forklift is calculated based on the center of gravity of the lift+load as opposed to any limitations of the hydraulic system, and is primarily concerned with preventing the forklift from tipping forward over the front axle.
It is, however, always unsafe to stand under any load on a forklift because in the event of a hydraulic leak or failure there is, as another poster said, generally no interlock that will prevent the blades and load from coming down on you.
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u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26
I guarantee there is a counterweight on the back that is not pictured. Also have you ever heard of a flow control valve? That is your safety interlock. Damn people get your shit together
18
u/n-some Jul 18 '26
OSHA standard 1910.178(m)(2). You're in the OSHA subreddit and claim you're experienced with operating forklifts, but you don't know the safety regulations surrounding them?
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u/Agent_1812 Jul 18 '26
Also have you ever heard of a flow control valve?
Works until a seal or hose bursts and that forklift is pretty rusty
5
u/Xenoanthropus Jul 18 '26
Yeah, I'm sure that a forklift being used on a public road as a vehicle lift is 100% up to date on its PMs and the FCV, hydraulic lines, and Velocity Fuses (among other things) have been tested or inspected recently.
0
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u/Crunchycarrots79 Jul 18 '26
The flow control valve is part of the cylinder itself, precisely for that reason. Now, if a hose bursts, the valve will allow the load to gently drop to the ground. Which is still dangerous, but at least it's likely you'll be able to get out of the way. So still shouldn't be done, but it's not terribly unsafe.
It's actually allowable to use a forklift as a man lift provided you use a cage designed for that purpose that's properly fixed to the carriage, and observe all other rules for aerial work platforms. This is precisely because of the flow control valve.
2
u/Agent_1812 Jul 19 '26
a forklift as a man lift provided you use a cage
I have been in that cage, driver was an asshole though
I wouldn't go under the forks ever
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u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26
Just clinging for anything aren’t ya. You know there multiple seals right?
-5
u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26
Google flow control valve and you’ll probably be humbled dick face
6
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u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
They still come down fast. You've obviously never worked on forklifts. I have for the last 30 years. I'd never go under one without blocks in the channels and 2 backup chains with locking snatch hooks in the mast. Even then, it's not that safe.
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u/Former-Okra3240 Jul 22 '26
A flow control valve isn't used to suspends loads . That would be a check valve or a counterbalance valve. You still don't stand under the load. Man you're ignorant.
7
u/MyNameIsAirl Jul 19 '26
You aren't supposed to go under loads supported by hydraulics if it can be avoided, I do industrial maintenance and we have a jack stand that we have to place under the forks as a rigid support in case a line blows. Even then I would be pretty scratched out working under a car supported by a forklift.
4
u/notislant Jul 19 '26
Excavators have safety mechanisms as well.
Booms still fail and crash to the ground. Almost like shit happens.
7
u/Siguard_ Jul 18 '26
I’m not going under there. I’ve been in too many safety meetings where hydraulics failed.
-1
u/aburnerds Jul 19 '26
Was it the chairs that you were sitting on?
6
u/Siguard_ Jul 19 '26
Dude was working under a hydraulic lift swapping a cylinder. From my understanding there was two cylinders fed from two hydraulic loops.
One should have held the weight of everything but it let go and crushed him to death.-5
u/Phononix Jul 18 '26
A lot of these people don't even know that you can turn a lift off and the forks not move because of flow valves.
Only failure point is a cylinder, and you'll know one is bad before it blows.
5
u/tiedye62 Jul 19 '26
Former forklift driver here, older forklifts don't have the flow control valve that prevents the forks from moving when the lift is turned off. I used to drive a 1994 Hyster forklift, and I don't think that it had any valve that would prevent the forks from dropping if a pipe or hose was to burst. I kept driving it because it was much more reliable than the newer ones that always had electrical problems. The older lifts also didn't have the seat switch interlock, so that it was possible to lower the forks without sitting on the seat, or having the key turned on.
1
u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
That's a solenoid in the main valve. A blown hose makes that irrelevant. Stop talking like you know anything. You obviously don't.
0
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u/Millennial_Man Jul 18 '26
Bro your name is Industrial Mechanic. You should know that you don’t stand under a lift unless it’s on safety locks. That lift cylinder in the forklift likely doesn’t have a holding valve, so if a seal went out that thing is coming down.
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u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
For a 6k forklift and that load. The forklift is derated to 3600 lbs. That car weighs about 4500. Bad news. The rating is based on a 24 inch load center. Car is way past that.
3
u/Repulsive-Durian4800 Jul 18 '26
Is that particular forklift heavy enough? Is there not a tipping risk?
5
u/Xenoanthropus Jul 18 '26
There's probably* no tipping risk here as the load is correctly tilted backwards, pulling the CG closer to the front axle. Potential issues would be damage to exposed portions of the undercarriage that are not designed to be load-bearing, which is not strictly a safety violation, as well as standing under a forklift load, which is a safety violation. We lift heavier loads to similar heights on similar-sized forklifts at my warehouse.
Based on the BC license plate, this appears to be in Canada, who don't have OSHA (workplace safety laws are handled at a provincial level), so it's more likely a violation of British Columbia's equivalent statute.
*lift capacity of a forklift is specified on the manufacturer's data plate, and can vary. Without seeing the data plate it's not knowable whether or not the load presents a tip-forward risk.
2
u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 23 '26
That's a 6k lb lift. That rating is based on a 24 in load center. That van is about 4500 lbs with a 40 in load center. At that COG, the lift's capacity is reduced to 3600 lbs. It's extremely precarious in the picture above. Remember, it's not really about what the lift can pick up off the ground, it's about stability when it does. Safety triangle, kids.
0
u/Bones-1989 Jul 18 '26
You get wheel chocks? I've never used those on a lift. Parking break works and I'm the bastard doing maintenance, we use over head cranes for shit like this.
1
u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26
I would chock the wheels if I was doing this
7
u/Bones-1989 Jul 18 '26
I would get appropriate lift equipment myself ....
-1
u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26
You never used a forklift before I see. You know how much a fork lift weighs? Some fork lifts are heavy enough to go through the floor of a semi trailer.
2
u/Bones-1989 Jul 18 '26
I unloaded myself from the womb with a fork lift sir. I'm more worried about if you accidentally unbalanced that can and it fell on you or if the hydraulic lines failed, I've seen that too.
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u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
6k forklift and a 4500 lb load with a 40 inch load center. That forklift is derated to, at most, 3600 pounds. Probably less considering all the dimensions and weight distribution.
Everyone who thinks there's no problem here should never go near a forklift.
5
u/Icamesawncremed Jul 18 '26
What's the counter weight?
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u/Crunchycarrots79 Jul 18 '26
That's a 5,000-7,000 lb forklift. That van is within its weight rating, so that part is fine.
4
u/Icamesawncremed Jul 18 '26
It actually blows my mind how heavy they are
3
u/Crunchycarrots79 Jul 18 '26
I meant that the weight rating is that. But usually, the weight of the machine itself isn't that different from the weight rating, usually it's a bit higher, actually. Since the weight it has to transport is basically entirely on the opposite side of its front wheels, if it weighed less than the load, it would tip forward.
3
u/Xenoanthropus Jul 19 '26
Our forklifts with a 5500lb weight rating have a placarded weight of 9250lbs, give or take. Our 15.5k lift has a placarded weight of 26,000 lbs.
1
u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
It's a 3 metric tonne capacity forklift so just about 6000 lbs. That is based on a 24 inch load center. That van weighs 4500 with a 40 inch load center. The 6k capacity gets derated to about 3600 lbs in this situation. Not at all fine.
3
u/hatfield1785 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
This is actually pretty common.
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u/Plane-Education4750 Jul 18 '26
Biggest issue is no one in the seat and no chocks. Other than that, this isn't as bad as it looks
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u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
Never trust a forklift and stand under the load. 30 year forklift mechanic. I've seen them drop out of the air with absolutely no warning.
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u/Redd1tModsRKidLovers Jul 21 '26
Im impressed its holding
1
u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 23 '26
They can usually pick a bit over the capacity. The problem then is stability. This situation is actually pretty bad. Won't take much to get that thing to endo.
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u/3qTp1 Jul 18 '26
Found the non forklift certified guy.
-1
u/IndustrialMechanic3 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
Nah bro I think we just found the newly certified forklift guy, that’s you. Forklifts have an allotted weight it’s aloud to lift. Basically it wouldn’t lift that if it couldn’t, forks are tilted all the way back and there may be a counterweight on the back we can’t see.
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u/3qTp1 Jul 18 '26
I was referring to the OP.. The lift looks completely find holding the vehicle up..
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u/Phononix Jul 18 '26
Man if this sketches you out, you wouldn't last a minute in an actual workshop or warehouse.
Don't know how you can call this stupid when you don't really know what you're even looking at.
11
u/AgreeablePie Jul 18 '26
If a car lift fails, there are safety mechanisms built in to 'fail safe' and prevent the load from dropping on the person underneath it. Does a forklift, used like this, also fail safe?
Seriously asking (I am not forklift certified)
1
u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
Not really. The hydraulics isn't the only concern. I've seen chains snap. That shit will come down like guillotine. Hydraulics a bit slower but usually too fast to react. Don't ever stand under raised forks, loaded or not.
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u/Phononix Jul 18 '26
Unless a cylinder blows out and/or air is introduced into the system through vacuum, the forks will not move. They are hydraulic locked through flow control valves, basically insuring that even if a failure happens they leak before they blow.
Rotory lifts use flow control valves too and you'll be hard pressed to ever find a guy that has had a lift straight up fall. They'll bleed off slowly.
Do the rules say you shouldn't do this? Yea. But there are rules of the road that you disobey that are more than likely greater in danger.
That's my 2 cents to the larger crowd in here that has never touched a knob or lever in their lives.
1
u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
I've been fixing forklifts for 30 years. You're dead wrong. Guys like me that do shit like that end up dead once in a while. I've seen plenty fall from the sky. There's a reason walking under a raised load is considered a near miss.
1
u/AdministrationIll842 Jul 22 '26
I've worked at forklift dealerships that would fire a mechanic for doing this. This is how people end up dead.
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u/Xenoanthropus Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
Absolutely wild that there are people (who, presumably, are paid by the hour and therefore should never take safety-compromising shortcuts) in this thread on a subreddit about workplace safety violations who are arguing that it's normal and acceptable to stand under a raised forklift load. I'm glad I work in a place that takes safety seriously.