Safety Principles; Safety Guidelines - Vestil WP Series Instruction Manual

03/10/03
Signal words:
This manual uses SIGNAL WORDS to indicate the likelihood of personal injuries, as well as the probable seriousness
of those injuries, if the product is misused in the ways described. Other signal words call attention to uses of the product
likely cause property damage.
The signal words used appear below along with the meaning of each word:
Identifies a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, WILL result in DEATH or SERIOUS
INJURY. Use of this signal word is limited to the most extreme situations.
Identifies a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, COULD result in DEATH or SERIOUS
INJURY.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, COULD result in MINOR or MODERATE
injury.
Identifies practices likely to result in product/property damage, such as operation that might damage the
platform.
Safe use recommendations:
Failure to read and understand the instructions included in this manual before using or servicing the work
platform constitutes misuse of the product. Study the entire manual before you use the product for the first time
and before each subsequent use. Read the manual to refresh your understanding of the safe use, inspection and
maintenance procedures explained on p. 5. If questions remain about the product after you finish reading the manual,
contact Vestil for answers. DO NOT attempt to resolve any problems with the work platform unless you are authorized to
do so and are certain that it will be safe to use afterwards.
Electrocution might result if the work platform contacts electrified wires. Reduce the likelihood that platform
occupants or bystanders might be electrocuted by applying common sense:
 DO NOT contact electrified wires with any part of the platform;
 DO NOT use the platform in an area where contact with electrified wires is likely;
 DO NOT use the work platform in close proximity to electrified wires or other sources of electricity.
Material handling is dangerous. Improper or careless operation might result in serious personal injuries
sustained by the boom operator(s) and bystanders. Your use of the platform must always conform to OSHA "Powered
industrial trucks" regulations
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addition to requirements by law, work platform users should conform to the following:
 Contact the manufacturer of your lift truck to verify that the truck is capable of safely handling the fully loaded platform
(see "NOTE" on p. 2). The width of your platform must be equal to or less than the width of your fork truck plus 10 inches
(250mm).
 DO NOT exceed the maximum occupancy ratings for each model:
WP-series = 2;
o
SP-175 = 1;
o
WP-3737-FD = 2.
o
 ONLY use the work platform as a means for lifting people and necessary tools and equipment.
 DO NOT use a structurally compromised work platform. Examples of structural damage includes: broken railings,
broken fork pockets, and holes produced by rust or corrosion in the platform floor or mast guard. Inspect the platform
before each use according to the inspection instructions on p. 5. DO NOT use the platform unless it passes every part
of the inspection.
 DO NOT use a damaged platform. Inspect the unit before each use according to the inspection instructions on p. 5.
DO NOT use the platform unless it passes every element of the inspection.
 Platform occupants and fork truck operators must wear hard hats whenever this platform is used.
 DO NOT use the platform if the safety chain/strap is damaged or missing; DO NOT lift the platform until it is securely
connected to the carriage of the fork truck with the safety strap. NOTE: The safety chain/strap is the primary safety
mechanism, and must be used each time the work platform is used! To use the safety chain/strap properly, attach the
device to the fork truck carriage as instructed in Step 2 on p. 9. Each work platform also includes a secondary safety
feature called a tine lock that secures the platform to a tine of your fork truck. However, the lock might not fit over the
heel of the tine of your fork truck. If this is the case, do not modify the tine lock; simply do not use it.
 DO NOT attempt to support a load that weighs more than the platform's maximum rated load. The net weight, i.e. the
sum of the weight of all occupants and everything else supported by the platform, cannot exceed the maximum rated
load of the platform.
 DO NOT stand beneath or travel under the platform while it is elevated.
 DO NOT use the gate(s), chains, mast guard, guardrails, etc. as a step.
Copyright 2017 Vestil Manufacturing Co.
rev. 3/6/2017
(29 CFR 1910.178 accessible at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-
WP, MANUAL
). In
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