N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 §§ 23-9.9

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 23-9.9 - Power buggies

(a) Assigned operator. No person other than a trained and competent operator designated by the employer shall operate a power buggy.

(b) Defective machines. No power buggy shall be operated unless it is in compliance with this Part (rule) and is in good operating condition.

(c) Mechanical requirements.

(1) Stability. Every power buggy shall be so designed and constructed as to withstand without tilting the following:

(i) A 45 degree turn at full rated load and maximum designed forward speed.

(ii) A collision stop against wheel blockage on a level grade at full rated load and one-half maximum designed forward or full reverse speed.

(iii) Lateral traversal of 10 percent grade slopes at full rated load and maximum designed speed.

(2) Braking power.

(i) Every power buggy shall be provided with brakes and tire surfaces capable of bringing such buggy to a full stop within 25 feet on a level dry plank surface or frictional equivalent at full rated load and maximum designed speed.

(ii) Brakes shall be capable of being fixed in engagement to hold the full load stationary on a 25 percent grade.

(3) Accidental starting. The controls of every power buggy shall be so arranged, shielded or located that they cannot be accidentally engaged.

(4) Warning devices. Every power buggy except those having maximum speeds of three miles per hour and upon which no person rides shall be equipped with an easily operable horn or other audible warning signal. Such audible horn or other signal shall be capable of being heard above the normal noise level in the area.

(5) Seats and visibility. Every power buggy of the riding type shall be provided with an operator's seat or standing platform designed and secured to prevent slipping off and located that the operator may have maximum practicable driving visibility.

(6) Speed. Every power buggy of the riding type shall be designed or equipped that it cannot travel faster than 12 miles per hour on a level surface.

(d) Operation.

(1) Parking on grades. No power buggy shall be left unattended on any grade sufficiently steep to cause such buggy to coast if free of engine and brake resistance.

(2) Prohibited operation. No power buggy shall be operated:

(i) at a speed greater than 12 miles per hour;

(ii) when carrying more than its full rated load;

(iii) on insecure or slippery surfaces or on surfaces so inclined or uneven as to endanger stability;

(iv) on grades steeper than 25 percent; or

(v) on ramps, runways or other surfaces not in compliance with this Part (rule).

(e) Special requirements for runways and ramps. Runways, ramps, platforms and other surfaces upon which power buggies are operated shall conform to the following requirements:

(1) They shall be substantially constructed and securely supported, braced and fastened to prevent movement.

(2) They shall be constructed to sustain without failure at least four times the maximum load for which they are intended.

(3) The minimum width inside of curbs for any ramp, runway or platform for single lane power buggy traffic shall be two feet wider than the outside width of any power buggy operated thereon and two feet wider than twice such buggy width in places where passing or two lane traffic occurs.

(4) Ramps shall be limited to maximum grades of one on four.

(5) All runways shall be substantially level transversely.

(6) Curbs in compliance with this Part (rule) shall be provided along the edges of surfaces upon which power buggies are operated as follows:

(i) Curbs shall be furnished along all edges which are nearer than 10 feet horizontally to the edge of any unenclosed floor area, shaft or other open space into or through which a fall from such surface of more than 24 inches vertically is possible, except as set forth in subparagraph (iii) below.

(ii) Where curbs are not required because the buggy is operated on a surface not over 24 inches above any floor or equivalent surface below, such lower surface shall be strong enough to sustain the loaded power buggy in event of a fall thereon.

(iii) Curbs may be omitted at actual dumping points more than 24 inches above any floor or equivalent surface below if the edge over which the dumping occurs is provided with bumpers or other means which will effectively stop the buggy from running over the edge while dumping.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 §§ 23-9.9