N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 3320: Section BC 3320: Additional Requirements for Certain Material Handling Equipment

3320.1 Scope.

Conveyors, trucks, power buggies, lift and fork trucks, hand propelled vehicles, mixing machines, and jacks shall meet and be used in accordance with the requirements of this section, Section 3316, and rules promulgated by the commissioner.

Exception: Equipment that is exempted from the requirements of Section 3316.1.

3320.2 Reserved.

3320.3 Reserved.

3320.4 Reserved.

3320.5 Conveyors.

Conveyors shall meet the requirements of Sections 3320.5.1 through 3320.5.3.

3320.5.1 Walkways.

Walkways along belt conveyors or bucket conveyors shall be kept free of materials and, where 5 feet (127 mm) or more above the ground, shall be provided with a guardrail system that meets the requirements of Sections 3308.7.1 through 3308.7.7 along the outside of the walkway. The guardrail system may be omitted on the side toward the belt if the walkway is located adjacent to the conveyor.

3320.5.2 Trippers.

Where trippers are used to control discharge, a device for throwing the belt or bucket drive into neutral shall be installed at each end of the runway.

3320.5.3 Spillage.

Where conveyor belts cross any traveled way, trays shall be installed to catch spillage and overhead protection shall be provided for persons or traffic passing beneath.

3320.6 Trucks.

Trucks shall meet the requirements of Sections 3320.6.1 and 3320.6.2.

3320.6.1 Maintenance.

All parts and accessories of trucks shall be kept in repair. Brakes shall be maintained so that the vehicle with full load may be held on any grade that may be encountered on the job. Provision shall be made for the immediate application of wheel blocks to trucks traversing ramps steeper than one in ten.

3320.6.2 Loading.

Trucks shall not be loaded beyond the manufacturer's rated capacity, nor beyond the legal load limit, where applicable. The loads shall be trimmed before the truck is set in motion to prevent spillage. Loads that project beyond the sides of the truck, or that may be dislodged in transit, shall be removed or securely lashed in place.

3320.7 Power buggies.

Power buggies shall meet the requirements of Sections 3320.7.1 and 3320.7.2.

3320.7.1 Responsibilities of employers and workers.

Employers and workers shall have the following responsibilities regarding power buggies:

1. Every contractor causing a power buggy to be used shall provide trained and qualified operators and shall carry out or enforce all provisions of this section pertaining to the use, operation and maintenance thereof.

2. No person other than the operator assigned by the employer shall operate a power buggy. A power buggy shall be in the charge and custody of the operator assigned, and no other person shall in any way interfere with or handle it, nor shall the operator cause or permit any other person to do so.

3. No power buggy shall be operated unless it is in good operating condition and is so constructed that it is stable under conditions of normal use.

3320.7.2 Operation and construction.

Power buggies shall be operated and constructed in accordance with the requirements of Section 3320.7.2.1 through 3320.7.2.4.

3320.7.2.1 Brakes.

Every power buggy shall be provided with brakes and tire surfaces capable of bringing it to a full stop within 25 feet (635 mm) on a level surface that is similar to the one on which it will be used and at full rated load and maximum design speed. Brakes shall be capable of being fixed in engagement to hold the full load stationary on a 25 percent grade.

3320.7.2.2 Accidental starting.

All movement controls of every power buggy shall be so arranged or shielded that they cannot be inadvertently engaged or the buggy accidentally set in motion.

3320.7.2.3 Parking on grades.

No power buggy shall be left unattended on any grade sufficiently steep to cause it to coast if free of engine and brake resistance.

3320.7.2.4 Use on ramps, runways and platforms.

Power buggies shall not be used on ramps, runways, or platforms that do not meet the requirements of Section 3315.

3320.8 Lift and fork trucks.

Lift and fork trucks shall meet the requirements of Sections 3320.8.1 through 3320.8.4.

3320.8.1 Load capacity.

A metal plate with readily legible etched or stamped figures giving the capacity rating in pounds shall be attached to every lift or fork truck.

3320.8.2 Maintenance.

All parts and accessories of lift or fork trucks shall be kept in repair and with brakes adequate to maintain the fully loaded vehicle on any grade that may be encountered on the job.

3320.8.3 Loading.

No lift or fork truck shall be loaded beyond its capacity rating. No hand-operated pallet truck loaded so that any point on the load is at a greater height than 4 feet 6 inches (114 mm) above the floor shall be moved by pushing unless handled by two persons.

3320.8.4 Prohibited use.

No lift or fork truck shall be in motion when the loaded forks are elevated higher than necessary to clear obstructions, except as may be required for positioning, picking up, or depositing the load.

3320.9 Hand propelled vehicles.

Hand propelled vehicles shall be constructed and braked to withstand the loads to be carried and shall be maintained in repair. Vehicles with loose parts shall not be used.

3320.10 Mixing machines.

Where the public may have access to the working area near charging skips, guardrails or other adequate protection in accordance with the New York City Department of Transportation shall be erected to enclose the area under the raised skip and the mixing machine. Each time before raising or lowering the charging skip, the operator shall ascertain that no one is in the danger zone.

3320.11 Jacks.

Jacks shall meet the requirements of Sections 3320.11.1 through 3320.11.5.

3320.11.1 Marking.

The rated capacity of every jack shall be legibly marked in a prominent location on the jack by casting or stamping. The manufacturer shall designate the intended supporting point of the load and the maximum permissible length of lever and force applied.

3320.11.2 Overtravel to be limited.

Every jack shall, where practicable, be provided with a positive stop to prevent overtravel; otherwise an indicator to clearly show overtravel shall be provided on the jack.

3320.11.3 Maintenance.

Lubrication and operation of jacks shall be in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.

3320.11.4 Foundations.

Jacks shall rest on a firm, level foundation adequate to support the load.

3320.11.5 Blocking required.

When the object has been lifted to the desired height, blocking or cribbing shall be immediately placed under it if the jack does not have built-in safety devices such as stop-rings, locknuts, or place-in cylinder sleeves.