Postal Bulletin 22144 - December 23, 2004 - USPS.com

66 POSTAL BULLETIN 22144 (12-23-04)
lift truck so that the load is on the upgrade side
and cannot slip off the forks.
C. Work Practices
Do not tow more than three empty or loaded containers
of rolling stock (platform trucks, hampers, or containers);
however, driverless tractor units are
permitted to tow up to five containers empty or
loaded.
Do not obstruct aisles, passageways, fire-fighting
equipment, electrical panels, exits, or towveyor lines
with parked, in-plant powered vehicles.
Fully lower the load-engaging mechanism, with controls
in neutral and the brakes set, when the driver
has dismounted and is within 25 feet of vehicle and
the vehicle is still in view.
If the driver is more than 25 feet away from the vehicle
that remains in view, or if the vehicle is not in the
driver’s view, consider the vehicle unattended.
When vehicles are to be left unattended, lower the
load-engaging mechanism, put all controls in neutral,
shut off the power, set the brakes, and remove the
ignition key.
Inspect trailers and trucks that are entered by in-plant
powered vehicles or conveyors to ensure that the
flooring appears capable of handling the load and
that the trailer is prevented from rolling by wheel
chocks or positive-locking parking devices.
Inspect dock plates to ensure that they are capable of
handling the load and are properly seated on the bed
of the truck.
Use the proper hooks and coupling devices for towing.
Do not use your hand to hold equipment being
towed.
Never use propane-powered equipment in poorly
ventilated spaces, such as in a trailer.
D. Maintenance
Repair trucks only if you are authorized to do so.
(Only authorized modifications are to be installed in
powered industrial equipment.)
Disconnect the batteries of in-plant powered trucks
before performing corrective maintenance on them.
Follow appropriate lockout procedures (see Section
XIX, Hazardous Energy Control Procedures — Lockout).
Do not get under a lift truck to do repairs unless it is
properly held up by jack stands.
Remove from service any power-operated industrial
truck not in safe operating condition.
Examine powered industrial trucks before placing in
service and do not place them in service if the examination
shows any condition adversely affecting
the safety of the truck.
E. Special PIT Operating Rules —12 Foot Aisle
Facilities
This section applies only to the following Logistics and Distribution
Centers (L&DCs) and Priority Mail Processing
Centers (PMPCs) at the following locations:
Jacksonville, Florida
Miami, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Springfield, Massachusetts
Nashua, New Hampshire
Northern New Jersey
Bethpage, New York
Rochester, New York
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
A maximum of seven general purpose mail containers
(GPMCs) and/or Eastern Region mail containers (ERMCs)
may be towed at any given time provided that the following
criteria are met:
All aisles are clearly marked.
The aisle width must be a minimum of 12 feet to allow
two-way traffic to pass; any aisle less than 12 feet
wide requires one-way traffic or no passing of container
trains.
All 90-degree intersections are required to be chamfered
by 4 feet at a minimum (see below).
Chamfered Intersection
All L&DC and PMPC sites are required to purchase
and install Electronic Speed Control (ESC) Programmers
on all existing PIT vehicles before instituting an
increase of towing more than three mail containers
within the facility. The ESC setting is to be adjusted to
approximately 80%, not exceeding 5 mph with the
Powered Industrial Vehicle (PIV).
All newly purchased PIVs must have the ESC devices
installed by the manufacturer according to the
specifications mentioned above.
When towing more than three GPMC and/or ERMC containers
at one time, the PIT operator must place a folding
tow bar (shown below) between the third and fourth container.
When towing a train of seven containers at one time,
the PIT operator must use two folding tow bars. One will be
placed between the third and fourth container as previously
mentioned and the other will be between the fifth and sixth
container (i.e., in a 3-2-2 pattern).