Each year the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes a list of the most cited safety standards following worksite inspections. The purpose of the list is to highlight the biggest dangers to worker safety and help employers focus on hazard recognition and prevention strategies.

The OSHA Top 10 list for 2022 more or less has the same offenders as previous years with Fall Protection coming in at top place yet again.

The top 10 frequently cited OSHA standard violations

OSHA’s 2021 report shows that for the 11th straight year Fall Protection – General Requirements, led the way in safety violations topping the list at 5,425 with Hazard Communication a distant second at 2,427 violations.

Respiratory Protection was the third most cited violation of 2021 with 2,649, followed by Scaffolding (2,538) and Ladders (2,129) to round out the top five.

The top 10 frequently cited OSHA standard violations

What is a forklift jib boom and what it is used for?

A forklift jib boom is an attachment designed to fit onto straight mast and extendable-reach type forklifts to lift and move suspended loads, most typically over or under obstacles.

A forklift job boom has a hook and shackle at the end of the jib for easy attachment to the load.  Jib booms are available both in fixed and extendable lengths.  Fixed-length jib booms are best for repetitive lift tasks where load and reach adjustments are not needed. For example, repetitive work in the rental yard.  Extendable-length jib booms, also known as telescopic jib booms, are best used when the load, location and lift height regularly changes such as on construction sites.

Forklift jib booms are perfect for lifting and moving awkward, heavy, suspended loads more suited to the lifting action of a crane.  This can be anything from mechanical equipment, materials or anything requiring a vertical lift through a second floor opening or on top of a building in construction.

What is a suspended load?

Essentially, anything that is lifted off the ground is considered a suspended load.

The primary OSHA standard regulation detailing safe suspended load operation falls under the general industry standard 1910 in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, “Occupational Safety and Health Standards,” Subpart N, “Materials Handling and Storage,” specifically section 29 CFR 1910.179, “Overhead and Gantry Cranes.”

Many forklift operators are under the mis-understanding that OSHA’s Overhead and Gantry Cranes regulations do not apply to them when lifting loads.

Though it is true general forklift operations fall under the different OSHA standard 1910.178, “Powered Industrial Trucks,” those regulations are superseded by regulations 1910.179 if the operator uses the forklift with a factory-made or plant-made boom with a hook to perform crane-like tasks.

The OSHA regulation states:

“If an operator uses a factory-made or plant-made boom with a hook, chain or sling attachment then the lifting action has been defined within OSHA as a crane activity and falls under the corresponding crane requirements”.

For this reason, it is important to include an explanation of OSHA provisions on overhead crane use in your operational jib boom safety plan.

Jib boom working load limits

It’s important to understand a jib boom attachment moves the center of gravity of the combined forklift and load forward. This load shift will change the load center and therefore an operator must use a de-rated load chart provided by the manufacturers of both the forklift and attachment manufacturer.  Another factor to consider is that rated load capacities decrease when the jib boom is in an extended position, when the mast is tilted forward, or when the boom is extended with telehandlers.

A properly engineered and manufactured jib boom will have undergone extensive tests to calculate safe capacity load limits at the various boom lengths.  These will be stated both in the operator’s manual and on the jib boom manufacturer’s plate.  The stated load capacity limit must never be exceeded.

Typically speaking, a jib boom’s load capacity will decrease with each extension of the boom.  This change of load lift based on boom extension is known as a de-rated load capacity.  You should be able to get a de-rated load capacity for your jib boom from the manufacturer or a certified professional engineer.

The table below is an example of a de-rated load capacity chart.

Duty of care when using a jib boom

Everyone from the manufacturer to the forklift operator has a work health and safety duty to make sure the jib boom is safe to use—and is being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pre-use considerations and jib boom safety checks

Always undertake pre-use safety checks and general site inspections before using a forklift jib boom to lift and move a load.

What to look for when buying or renting a forklift jib boom

Any forklift jib boom must be engineered in accordance with ASME standards and is rated for your type of forklift or telehandler.  It needs to be plated to manufacturer specifications, including capacity and operation. If your jib boom doesn’t have these specifications clearly labelled, it’s recommended you don’t use it on your job site.

Recommended safety features include retaining pins behind the heel of each fork that can be secured with hairpins or cotter pins; safety chains that can be wrapped around the fork carriage; pull spring-loaded pins for the telescopic boom and an internal stop to ensure the telescopic boom section cannot be accidently pulled all the way out.  Also make sure the swivel hook is properly rated for use with the jib boom.