Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | Materials Handling

This section applies to establishments where pulp, paper, and paperboard are manufactured and converted. It does not apply to logging and the transportation of logs to pulp, paper, and paperboard mills.

Handling and Storage of Pulpwood and Pulp Chips §1910.261(c)(1)–(7)

Handling Pulpwood with Forklift Trucks

Where large forklift trucks or lift trucks with clamjaws are used in the yard, the operator’s enclosed cab shall be provided with an escape hatch, whenever the hydraulic arm blocks escape through the side doors.

Handling Pulpwood with Cranes or Stackers

Where locomotive cranes are used for loading or unloading pulpwood, the pulpwood shall be piled so as to allow a clearance of not less than 24 inches between the pile and the end of the cab of any locomotive crane in use, when the cab is turned in any working position.

The minimum distance of the pulpwood pile from the centerline of a standard-gage track shall be maintained at not less than 81/2 feet.

Logs shall be piled in an orderly and stable manner, with no projection into walkways or roadways.

Railroad cars shall not be spotted on tracks adjacent to the locomotive cranes unless a 24-inch clearance is maintained as required in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of §1910.261.

The handling and storage of other materials shall conform to paragraphs (c)(2) (i) and (ii) of §1910.261 with respect to clearance.

Equipment and practices shall conform to American National Standards B30.2-1943 (reaffirmed 1952) and B30.2.0-1967.

Personal protective equipment for such uses as foot, head, and eye protection shall be required for workers on a job basis.

No person shall be permitted to walk beneath a suspended load, bucket, or hook.

Handling Pulpwood From Ships

Ladders and gangplanks with railings to boat docks shall meet the requirements of American National Standards A12.1-1967, A14.1-1968, A14.2-1956, and A14.3-1956, and shall be securely fastened in place.

The hatch tender shall be required to signal the hoisting engineer to move the load only after the men workinginthe holdare in the clear.

The air in the ship’s hold, tanks, or closed vessels shall be tested for oxygen deficiency and for both toxic and explosive gases and vapors.

Handling Pulpwood From Flatcars and all Other Railway Cars

Railroad flatcars for the conveyance of pulpwood loaded parallel to the length of the car shall be equipped with safety-stake pockets.

Where pulpwood is loaded crosswise on a flatcar sufficient stakes of sizes not smaller than 4 by 4 inches shall be used to prevent the load from shifting.

When it is necessary to cut stakes, those on the unloading side should be partially cut through first, and then the binder wires cut on the opposite side. Wire cutters equipped with long extension handles shall be used. No person shall be permitted along the dumping side of the car after the stakes have been cut.

When steel straps without stakes are used, the steel straps shall be cut from a safe area to prevent employees from being struck by the falling logs.

Flatcars and all other cars shall be chocked during unloading. Where equipment is not provided with hand brakes, rail clamping chocks shall be used.

A derail shall be used to prevent movement of other rail equipment into cars where persons are working.

Handling Pulpwood From Trucks

Cutting of stakes and binder wires shall be done in accordance with paragraph (c)(4)(iii) of §1910.261.

Where binder chains and steel stakes are used, the binder chains shall be released and the stakes tripped from the opposite side of the load spillage.

Where binder chains and crane slings are used, the crane slings shall be attached and taut before the binder chains are released. The hooker shall see that the helper is clear before signaling for the movement of the load.

Handling Pulp Chips From Railway Cars

All cars shall be securely fastened in place and all employees in the clear before dumping is started.

Personal protective equipment for such uses as foot, head, and eye protection shall be provided, and employees shall wear the equipment when working in the woodyard. Ear protection shall be provided when the noise level may be harmful.

Handling Pulp Chips From Trucks and Trailers

All trucks and trailers shall be securely fastened in place and all employees in the clear before dumping is started.

Personal protective equipment shall be in accordance with paragraph (c)(6)(ii) of §1910.261.

Handling and Storage of Raw Materials Other than Pulpwood or Pulp Chips §1910.261(d)(1)–(4)

Personal Protective Equipment

Whenever possible, all dust, fumes, and gases incident to handling materials shall be controlled at the source, in accordance with American National Standard Z9.2-1960. Where control at the source is not possible, respirators with goggles or protective masks shall be provided, and employees shall wear them when handling alum, clay, soda, ash, lime, bleach powder, sulfur, chlorine, and similar materials, and when opening rag bales.

When handling liquid acid or alkali, workmen shall be provided with approved eye and face protection and protective clothing, in accordance with American National Standard Z87.1-1968.

Clearance

When materials are being piled inside a building and upon platforms, an aisle clearance at least 3 feet greater than the widest truck in use shall be provided.

Baled paper and rags stored inside a building shall not be piled closer than 18 inches to walls, partitions, or sprinkler heads.

Piling and Unpiling Pulp

Piles of wet lap pulp (unless palletized) shall be stepped back one-half the width of the sheet for each 8 feet of pile height. Sheets of pulp shall be interlapped to make the pile secure. Pulp shall not be piled over pipelines to jeopardize pipes, or so as to cause overloading of floors, or to within 18 inches below sprinkler heads.

Piles of pulp shall not be undermined when being unpiled.

Floor capacities shall be clearly marked on all floors.

Where rolls are pyramided two or more high, chocks shall be installed between each roll on the floor and at every row. Where pulp and paper rolls are stored on smooth floors in processing areas, rubber chocks with wooden core shall be used.

When rolls are decked two or more high, the bottom rolls shall be chocked on each side to prevent shifting in either direction.

Materials Handling §1910.261(m)(1)–(5)

Hand Trucks

No person shall be allowed to ride on a powered hand truck unless it is designed by the manufacturer to be ridden on. A limit switch shall be on operating handle — 30 degrees each way from a 45-degree angle up and down.

Power Trucks

Power trucks shall comply with American National Standard B56.1-1969. Adequate ventilation shall be provided and the trucks properly maintained, so that dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide cannot be generated, especially in warehouses or other isolated areas of a plant.

Cartons

The carton-stitching machine shall be guarded to prevent the operator from coming in contact with the stitching head.

Banders and helpers shall wear eye protection equipment in accordance with §1910.261(b)(2).

Unloading Cars or Trucks

Where steel bands or wires are used in boxcars or trucks, all loaders and helpers shall wear eye protection in accordance with §1910.261(b)(2).

The construction and use of bridge or dock plates shall conform to the requirements of American National Standard B56.1-1969.

Flag signals, derails, or other protective devices shall be used to protect men during switching operations. The blue flag policy shall be invoked according to §1910.261(c)(9)(i).

Cranes and Derricks | Materials Handling

Three sections in Subpart N pertain to cranes and derricks. Some of the load handling requirements in these sections are the same. There are also additional individual requirements for cranes and derricks that can be found within each section of the standard.

Overhead and Gantry Cranes §1910.179

This section applies to overhead and gantry cranes, including semigantry, cantilever gantry, wall cranes, storage bridge cranes, and others having the same fundamental characteristics. These cranes are grouped because they all have trolleys and similar travel characteristics.

Crawler, Locomotive, and Truck Cranes §1910.180

This section applies to crawler cranes, locomotive cranes, wheel mounted cranes of both truck and self-propelled wheel type, and any variations thereof which retain the same fundamental characteristics. This section includes only cranes of the type listed above which are basically powered by internal combustion engines or electric motors and which utilize drums and ropes.

Cranes designed for railway and automobile wreck clearances are excepted. The requirements of §1910.180 are applicable only to machines when used as lifting cranes.

Derricks §1910.181

This section applies to guy, stiffleg, basket, breast, gin pole, Chicago boom and A-frame derricks of the stationary type are covered in this section. These derricks are capable of handling loads at variable reaches and powered by hoists through systems of rope reeving, used to perform lifting hook work, single or multiple line bucket work, grab, grapple, and magnet work. Derricks may be permanently installed for temporary use as in construction work.

The requirements also apply to any modification of these types which retain their fundamental features, except for floating derricks.

The following requirements are applicable to both cranes and derricks:

• The crane or derrick can not be loaded beyond its rated load except for test purposes.
• The hoist chain or hoist rope must be free from kinks or twists and shall not be wrapped around the load.
• The load has to be attached to the load block hook by means of slings or other approved devices.
• Care shall be taken to make certain that the sling clears all obstacles.
• The load shall be well secured and properly balanced in the sling or lifting device before it is lifted more than a few inches.
• Before starting to hoist the following conditions shall be noted:
  • Hoist rope shall not be kinked.
  • Multiple part lines shall not be twisted around each other.
  • The hook shall be brought over the load in such a manner as to prevent swinging.
• During the hoisting care shall be taken that:
  • There is no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the moving load.
  • The load does not contact any obstructions.
• Cranes and derricks shall not be used for side pulls except when specifically authorized by a responsible person who has determined that the stability of the crane is not thereby endangered and that various parts of the crane will not be overstressed.
• While any employee is on the load or hook, there shall be no hoisting, lowering, or traveling.
• The employer shall require that the operator avoid carrying loads over people.
• The operator shall test the brakes each time a load approaching the rated load is handled. The brakes shall be tested by raising the load a few inches and applying the brakes.
• The load shall not be lowered below the point where less than two full wraps of rope remain on the hoisting drum.
• When two or more cranes are used to lift a load one qualified responsible person shall be in charge of the operation. He shall analyze the operation and instruct all personnel involved in the proper positioning, rigging of the load, and the movements to be made.
• The employer shall ensure that the operator does not leave his position at the controls while the load is suspended.

Powered Industrial Trucks | Materials Handling

This section contains safety requirements relating to fire protection, design, maintenance, and use of fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines.

Section 1910.178 does not applyto compressed air or nonflammable compressed gas-operated industrial trucks, nor to farm vehicles and vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling.

Loading §1910.178(o)(1)

Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be handled. Caution shall be used when handling off-center loads which cannot be centered.

Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled.

The long or high (including multiple-tiered) loads which may affect capacity shall be adjusted.

Trucks equipped with attachments shall be operated as partially loaded trucks when not handling a load.

A load engaging means shall be placed under the load as far as possible; the mast shall be carefully tilted backward to stabilize the load.

Extreme care shall be used when tilting the load forward or backward, particularly when high tiering. Tilting forward with load engaging means elevated shall be prohibited except to pick up a load. An elevated load shall not be tilted forward except when the load is in a deposit position over a rack or stack. When stacking or tiering, only enough backward tilt to stabilize the load shall be used.

Operator Training §1910.178(I)

Forklift drivers must be trained on the type of vehicle they will be operating before they are allowed to drive the vehicle independently. The training must consist of instruction (both classroom-type and practical training) in proper vehicle operation, the hazards of operating the vehicle in the workplace, and the requirements of the powered industrial truck standard. See TRAINING chapter for more information.

Refresher training must be done whenever an accident or near-miss occurs, when the operator is driving unsafely, conditions in the workplace change, or if assigned to operate a different type of vehicle.

An evaluation of driver performance must be conducted at least once every three years. Certification of the training and evaluation must be recorded to verify that the driver is competent to perform the duties safely.

Pre-operational inspections

OSHA requires that forklifts be inspected prior to being placed in service and, when used around-the-clock, after each shift. Although OSHA requires that these inspections be conducted, there is no requirement that the inspection be recorded in writing, such as on a daily checklist. However, recording these inspections and maintaining copies of the inspection logs is a good way to document that the required inspections are occurring — both for your company records and for OSHA inspectors.

Set a specific period of time to keep inspection logs and document the length of time in your written safety and health program, forklift program, or company policy, whichever you use (e.g. “We retain daily forklift inspection logs for three months”). This will prove to OSHA that forklift operators perform the daily inspections as required in §1910.178(q)(7).

Alarms and lights

OSHA standards do not require backup alarms, tail/brake lights, or strobe lights on lift trucks. While the forklift standard does not specifically mention head lights on lift trucks, it does address facility lighting by stating that controlled lighting of adequate intensity should be provided in operating areas.

Chocking highway truck wheels

OSHA’s regulations relating to chocking the wheels of highway trucks prior to forklift vehicles driving onto them to load/unload materials are located at §1910.178 (k)(1) and (m)(7). These paragraphs state that before a forklift is driven onto the trailer, the brakes of the vehicle must be set and the rear wheels chocked to prevent the trailer from moving.

However, in most cases, commercial motor vehicles are no longer required to chock trailer wheels when parking at loading docks. In an agreement between the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and OSHA, authority over commercial motor vehicle parking issues belongs to the FMCSA. Consequently, OSHA’s wheel chocking requirements no longer apply to any commercial motor vehicle that:

• Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds, whichever is great er, or
• Is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers (including the driver) for compensation, or
• Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to trans port passengers for compensation, or
• Is used in transporting hazardous material in an amount requiring placarding under DOT regulations.

The FMCSA’s parking brake standard, 49 CFR 393.41(a), requires that every commercial motor vehicle manufactured since March 1990 be equipped with a parking brake system adequate to hold the vehicle or combination under any condition of loading. Agricultural commodity trailers, converter dolly, heavy hauler, and pulpwood trailers are exempted and must carry and use chocking blocks to prevent movement when parked. OSHA has instructed its regional offices that enforcement personnel are not to cite the forklift standard’s wheel chocking requirements with regard to any commercial motor vehicle. The Agency is currently developing enforcement guidelines for further clarification.

Seatbelt use

OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck standard does not have a requirement addressing the use of seatbelts. Consequently, until a few years ago, there was no uniformity in how compliance officers enforced seatbelt usage for forklift operators. In October 1996, OSHA corrected this situation by issuing the following enforcement directive stating the parameters of seatbelt enforcement to all regional offices.

---

Enforcement of the use of seatbelts on powered industrial trucks in General Industry From John B. Miles, Jr., Directorate of Compliance Programs It has come to my attention that clarification is needed to ensure that a uniform approach is taken by all OSHA offices with respect to the enforcement of the use of seatbelts on powered industrial trucks in general industry.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) B56.1--1969 Safety Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks, was adopted by OSHA under the procedures described in Section 6(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). ANSI B56.1--1969 does not have provisions for the use of seat- belts. Therefore, 29 CFR 1910.178 does not contain requirements for the use of seatbelts. However, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act require employers to protect employees from serious and recognized hazards.

Recognition of the hazard of powered industrial truck tipover and the need for the use of an operator restraint system is evidenced by certain requirements in the more current versions of ANSI B56.1 consensus standard for powered industrial trucks; ASME/ANSI B56.1a--1989 Addenda to ASME/ ANSI B56.1--1988, and ASME B56.1--1993 Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks. In addition, seatbelts have been supplied by many manufacturers of counterbalanced, center control, high lift trucks which have a sit-down nonelevating operator position. Also, some manufacturers have instituted retrofit programs for the installation of operator restraint systems to older powered industrial trucks. OSHA’s enforcement policy relative to the use of seatbelts on powered industrial trucks is that employers are obligated to require operators of powered industrial trucks which are equipped with opera- tor restraint devices or seatbelts to use the devices. OSHA should enforce the use of such devices under Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act.

After consultation with the Regional Solicitor, OSHA may also cite Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act if an employer has not taken advantage of a manufacturer operator restraint system or seatbelt retrofit program.

---

Fall protection: Body belts vs. harnesses

Fall protection requirements on forklifts used to lift personnel are not specifically addressed in the current Powered Industrial Truck standard. However, OSHA’s newer regulations which address fall hazards in the construction industry require the use of body harnesses rather than body belts for as a personal fall arrest system because the hazards associated with body belts are greatly reduced through the use of harnesses. Although there are no similar requirements in general industry regulations, OSHA has stated that body harnesses rather than body belts are the appropriate form of fall protection for employees working on elevated order picker platforms without guardrails. A body belt could be used, however, as a restraint device, that is, when used in conjunction with a lanyard short enough that the employee cannot fall from the platform.

Required State Posters

Many states have their own safety and health and general labor posting requirements. The following lists many of the employee informational postings that individual state employers are required to display in areas where employees congregate or where company notices are normally posted.

ALABAMA	ARIZONA
Child Labor Laws	Discrimination in Employment
Notice New Hire Program	Notice to Employees Covered by Unemployment
Notice to Employees (Injury)	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Workers' Compensation	Work Exposure to Bodily Fluids Notice
Your Job Insurance
ALASKA	ARKANSAS
Emergency Phone Numbers	How to Claim Unemployment Insurance
Notice to Employees	Notice to Employer and Employee—Wage and Hour Laws
OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	Workers' Compensation
Right to Know Laws
Sexual Harassment
Summary of Alaska Wage and Hour Act
CALIFORNIA	GEORGIA
Access to Medical Records	Equal Pay for Equal Work Act
Cal/ OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	Unemployment Insurance
Emergency Phone Numbers	Vacation
Family Care and Medical and Pregnancy Disability	Worker Compensation Accident Report
Harassment and Discrimination	Workers' Compensation
Minimum Wage
Pay Day Notice
Pregnancy Disability Leave	HAWAII
Sexual Harassment	Minimum Wage
Time Off for Voting	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Unemployment and Disability Insurance	Payment of Wages
Workers' Compensation	Unemployment Insurance Benefits
	Workers' Compensation
COLORADO
Civil Rights Commission/Discrimination	IDAHO
Minimum Wage	Discrimination
Unemployment Insurance Benefits	Minimum Wage
	Sexual Harassment
CONNECTICUT
	ILLINOIS
Family and Medical Leave Act
Human Rights	Minimum Wage
Minimum Wage	Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Sexual Harassment	Workers' Compensation
Unemployment Compensation
Workers' Compensation
	INDIANA
DELAWARE	Equal Opportunity
	Minimum Wage
Breaks	Minor Aged Employees
Child Labor Laws	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Discrimination	Workers' Compensation
Minimum Wage	Workforce Development Act
Payment of Wages
Unemployment Compensation
Workers' Compensation	IOWA
	Equal Employment Opportunity
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	Minimum Wage
	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
EEO	Unemployment Insurance
Family and Medical Leave Act
Minimum Wage
Public Accommodations	KANSAS
	Child Labor
FLORIDA	Equal Opportunity
	Unemployment Insurance
Child Labor Law	Workers' Compensation
Discrimination
Toxic Substances
Unemployment Compensation
Workers' Compensation
KENTUCKY	MICHIGAN
Child Labor Laws	Child Labor Laws
Equal Employment	Discrimination
OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	General Rules
Unemployment Insurance	Minimum Wage
Wage and Hours Laws	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Wage Discrimination	Overtime Compensation Rules
	Right to Know Law
	Unemployment Benefits
LOUISIANA	Whistleblowers
Minor Labor Law
Prohibition of Sickle Cell Discrimination	MINNESOTA
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Workers' Compensation	Know Your Rights
	Minimum Wage
	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
MAINE	Parental Leave Law and Pregnancy
Child Labor Laws	Pregnancy Discrimination
Maine VDT Law	Unemployment Benefits
Minimum Wage	Workers' Compensation
Sexual Harassment
Unemployment Benefits	MISSISSIPPI
Whistle Blowers Protection Act
Workers' Compensation	Equal Opportunity
	Job Insurance
	Workers' Compensation
MARYLAND
Child Labor	MISSOURI
Equal Pay
Fair Employment	Discrimination
Health Insurance	Unemployment Benefits
Lie Detector Wage Payment and Collection	Workers' Compensation
Minimum Wage
OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	MONTANA
Unemployment
Workers' Compensation	Discrimination
	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
	State Minimum Wage
MASSACHUSETTS
Fair Employment Law	NEBRASKA
Maternity Leave Fact Sheet
Minimum Fair Wage Law	Discrimination
Sexual Harassment	Emergency Phone Numbers
Unemployment Insurance	Minimum Wage Rates
Workers' Compensation	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
	NEVADA
	Discrimination
	Emergency Phone Numbers
	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
	Unemployment Compensation
	Wage and Hour Laws
	Workers' Compensation
NEW HAMPSHIRE	OKLAHOMA
Employment Discrimination	Discrimination
Equal Opportunity to Housing	Minimum Wage Act
Minimum Wage Law	Workers' Compensation
The Whistle Blowers Protection Act
Unemployment Notice	OREGON
NEW JERSEY	Employment Division Law and Unemployment Benefits
Child Labor Law Abstract	Family Leave Act
Disability Benefits and Unemployment Compensation	Field Sanitation Notice
Discrimination	Minimum Wage
Equal Employment Opportunity	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Family Leave Act	PENNSYLVANIA
Payment of Wages
Schedule of Hours of Minors Under 18	Abstract of the Child Labor Law
Statutory Minimum Rate	Employment Provisions
	Equal Pay Law
NEW MEXICO	Fair Housing Practice
	Fair Lending Practice
Discrimination	Minimum Wage Law and Fact Sheet
Minimum Wage	Public Accommodation Provisions
OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	Unemployment Compensation
Workers' Compensation
	SOUTH CAROLINA
NEW YORK
	Equal Opportunity
Discrimination	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Employment of Minors	Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Minimum Wage	Unemployment Compensation Tax
Unemployment Insurance	Wage and Hour Laws
	Workers' Compensation
NORTH CAROLINA
	SOUTH DAKOTA
OSHA Notice to Employees
Unemployment Insurance	No State Posters Required
Wages and Working Conditions
Workers' Compensation
	TENNESSEE
NORTH DAKOTA	Discrimination
	Hazards Chemical Right to Know
Minimum Wage	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Unemployment Insurance	Unemployment Insurance
Workers' Compensation	Wage Regulation Act
OHIO
Discrimination—Equal Employment Opportunity
Minimum Wage
Minor Labor Laws
Unemployment Compensation
TEXAS	WASHINGTON
(Without Workers' Compensation)	Family Leave Provisions
Complaints	Minimum Wage
Equal Opportunity	Rights As Non-Agricultural Worker
No Workers' Compensation	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Texas Pay Day	Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Texas Workforce Commission	Workers' Compensation
(With Workers' Compensation)
Child Labor Laws	WEST VIRGINIA
Texas Pay Day	Human Rights Act
Workers' Compensation	Minimum Wage and Hours
	Notice to Employees
UTAH	Unemployment Benefits
OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	Wage Payment and Collection Act
Unemployment Insurance
Workers' Compensation	WISCONSIN
	Employee's Rights
VERMONT	Fair Employment Law
Child Labor Laws	Human Rights Act
Employer's Liability and Workers' Compensation	Minimum Wage
Employers Reinstatement Liability	Minimum Wage and Hour
Minimum Wage	Notice to Employees
OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	Unemployment Benefits
Parental, Family, and Short Term Family Leave
Sexual Harassment	WYOMING
	Discrimination is Against the Law
VIRGINIA	Important Notice to Employees Posting Rules
Discrimination—Human Rights Act	Notice to Employees Insured
OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection	OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Workers' Compensation