Forklift Certification

To be authorized to drive an Industrial Truck on the Colorado College Campus, personnel MUST have a valid driver’s license, be over 18 years old, and participate in Classroom Training and Hands-On Certification.

Colorado College has four types of Industrial Trucks that may be encountered while on campus. These machines help to make certain tasks much easier on the person(s) using them. Although they look like a lot of fun to operate they do pose some risks to the operators and people that may be in the vicinity when they are under operation.

Lets take a look at the Industrial Trucks we currently have on the Colorado College Campus.

The Environmental Health and Safety department will coordinate the certification schedules with the individuals performing the evaluations.

Industrial trucks

Forklift
Forklift
Reachtruck
Reachtruck

Colorado College has three Forklifts and one Reach truck. Two of the forklifts reside at the Facilities Services Buildings on the west side of Monument Creek. The Facilities teams have access to and actively use these lifts for loading / unloading freight and moving heavy materials from one place to another. 

The third forklift on campus resides at Robson Arena and is used to move equipment for the arena. 

The Reachtruck resides at the Facilities Services Building on the West side of Monument Creek and is used primarily for warehousing activities. Due to the smaller wheels, low clearance, and short battery life, this lift will seldom be seen outside of the warehouse.

Both our forklift and reachtruck steer from the rear of the machine. This enables these pieces of equipment to handle very tight turns and tight spaces.

Pedestrians should be aware of the following:

  • Be aware that lift trucks cannot stop suddenly. They are designed to stop slowly to minimize load damage and maintain stability.
  • Stand clear of lift trucks in operation.

  • Avoid a run-in. The driver's visibility may be limited due to blind spots.

  • Be aware of the wide rear swing radius.

  • Use pedestrian walkways, or stay to one side of the equipment aisle.

  • Never ride on a forklift, unless authorized and the forklift is designed for riders.

  • Never pass under an elevated load.

Our team is trained and certified to operate this equipment in line with OSHA 1910.178 - Powered Industrial Truck regulations which includes a Classroom training and refresher that occurs annually and the Hands-on Certification that occurs on a 3 - year basis.

Please click here to view the list of individuals certified to drive Forklifts on Colorado College properties.

*Contractors are expected to follow OSHA guidelines while on Colorado College Campus which includes necessary licensing by the parent company.

 

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Scissor-Lift.jpg
Scissor Lift

Colorado College has several Scissor Lifts, also known as Aerial manlifts, Mobile elevated work platforms, or manup lifts. These lifts are used for moving persons, tools, and materials to working positions above ground. These machines consist of a work platform with controls, an extending structure, and chassis.

The college has many spaces that require the level of access these lifts provide, you may see them around campus with workers reaching very high places. 

To operate a Scissor lift on campus the operator must be certified in lift operations and how to properly rescue a person if they become trapped at height. In addition to these requirements OSHA specifies Fall Restraint from any potential fall above 6' requiring operators to use a harness and to never step outside the confines of the platforms.

All spaces where pedestrian traffic may be close by should be roped off to prevent possible injury to people passing below. A great rule of thumb, if possible is to rope off a perimeter of 3' for every foot of rise. (3:1)

Rules Pedestrians should follow while working around Scissor Lifts:

  • Never walk too close to a scissor lift that is elevated with a worker, falling object could injure pedestrians.
  • Never walk in front or in back of a moving scissor lift, the operator may not see you.
  • Never stick your head or any appendage in the "scissor" of the mobile platform, you could suffer a severe injury or amputation.
  • Do not distract a scissor lift operator, a tipping lift will injure the operator and by-standers if struck.
  • Unless you are authorized to do so (e.g. - you have been certified on a scissor lift with Colorado College) you will not be allowed to ride on a scissor lift. The rider should know how to operate the lift in the event of an emergency.
  • Make eye contact with the operators to help them be aware of your presence.

Scissor lifts are heavily used in the Fine Arts Center, Robson Arena, El Pomar and Cornerstone please be cognizant of their presence.

Click here to view the list of people authorized to drive a Scissor Lift on the Colorado College Campus.

*Contractors are expected to follow OSHA guidelines while on Colorado College Campus which includes necessary licensing by the parent company.

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Boom-Lift.jpg
Boom Lift

Colorado College will frequently use a Boom Lift to access spaces that are otherwise inaccessible due to height. Boom lifts can easily lift a worker in excess of 40' into the air allowing workers to perform tasks on the exterior of some of the tall building on campus. 

Colorado College owns one 40' Boom Lift for use in location around campus. If this machine is unable to reach the desired height the college will rent lifts to reach the location. These lifts may extend upwards of 80'.

All workers using a Boom Lift on campus are required to compete certification in order to drive the unit. Due to the extreme heights the lifts are capable of, all workers are required to wear a 5-point harness with fall arrest equipment, be capable of operating the lift for an emergency extraction (ground controls), and never drive the lift in an elevated position. 

The area below the boom lift should be roped off to help protect any pedestrians that may be in the area.

Pedestrians should be aware of the following:

  • NEVER walk below an elevated lift.
  • Boom lifts and their overall size make visibility difficult when maneuvering, pay attention and give Boom Lifts plenty of room when nearby.
  • NEVER touch any of the controls located on the chassis of the Boom Lift unless authorized to do so and only with close communication with the person(s) in the bucket of the lift.
  • If working with an operator of the Boom lift, make sure the needed tasks are discussed prior to the operator being raised. 
  • Never climb the mast of the Boom Lift.

Boom lifts may be present anywhere on campus, be alert to their presence and avoid the work area if possible.

Please click here to see the list of Certified Boom Lift Operators here at Colorado College.

*Contractors are expected to follow OSHA guidelines while on Colorado College Campus which includes necessary licensing and fall restraint provided by the parent company.

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Boom-Truck.jpg
Boom Truck

Colorado College has one Boom Truck that is used around campus for tree trimming activities and for accessing the higher spaces on campus.

Due to the overall functionality and complex operations including an outrigger (leveling) system, only certified operator are allowed to use this piece of equipment. Approvals for use MUST pass through either the Electric Shop Supervisor or Ground Shop Manager for access.

All spaces below the Boom Truck should be roped or coned off to prevent pedestrian access while elevated. If Chipper Operations are in progress pedestrians should be kept at a safe distance at all times using cones or barricades as necessary.

Pedestrians should be aware of the following:

  • NEVER walk under and elevated bucket
  • NEVER touch any of the controls of the Boom Truck
  • NEVER distract a boom truck operator
  • NEVER interfere with chipping operations
  • NEVER enter an area that has been sanctioned off without first speaking with the Boom Truck Operator

To see the list of people authorized to drive the Boom Truck, click here.

*Contractors are expected to follow OSHA guidelines while on Colorado College Campus which includes necessary licensing and fall protection by the parent company.

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If you are interested in becoming a certified operator of a Forklift, Scissor Lift, Boom Lift or Boom Truck, please fill out the form below. EHS will contact you to discuss training options and to obtain management approval for the equipments use as necessary.

 

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Report an issue - Last updated: 06/16/2023