Specialized Mobile Equipment Vehicle Program


Specialized Mobile Equipment Vehicles (SMEV) are vehicles such as Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT) and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP) and have additional requirements and regulatory guidelines outside of the PSU Safe Driving Program

The SMEV program was designed to minimize the risk of injury to operators, bystanders, and to avoid damaging university property and follows all applicable OSHA and ANSI regulatory standards. It applies to all PSU employees who have been authorized to operate and drive these types of vehicles.

These vehicles are restricted from operating across campus on public city streets.

Contractors are prohibited from using PSU equipment. Under certain limited conditions, the use of PSU equipment may be needed in support of a contractor's work. Contact EHS-group@pdx.edu for more information. 

University Department Responsibilities

Individual PSU departments that utilize SMEVs are responsible for the following:

  • Implementing and administering the SMEV program
  • Verifying all employees within their department who operate or work near SMEVs are properly trained
  • Maintain records of frequent and annual inspections
  • Maintain records of the name and purchaser of each truck

Powered Industrial Trucks

A Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) is defined as a mobile, power propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material. This includes industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines and the following:

  • Forklifts
  • Tractors
  • Platform lifts
  • Motorized hand trucks

Safety violations involving PITs are one of the top 10 most cited OSHA violations, with the most citations issued for safe operation procedures.

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

A Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP, previously referred to as Aerial Work Platforms - AWP) is an aerial lift vehicle-mounted device used to elevate personnel. This includes lifts that may be powered or manually operated and the following: 

  • Extendable boom platforms
  • Aerial ladders
  • Articulating (jointed) boom platforms
  • Vertical towers
  • Any combination of the above

Many workers are injured or killed on aerial lifts each year, with hazards such as falls, tip-overs, structural failures, ejections from the platform, and electric shock, among others. 

Operator Requirements

To be considered a certified operator, an employee is required to do the following for each type of vehicle they will operate:

  • Complete the University Safe Driving Program
  • Complete the required specialized training and maintain their certification every three years

Certified operators should be familiar with the specific type of equipment and/or vehicle they are using, including specific operations that may be found in the trucks operators manual, and with site-specific hazards.

Training

EHS provides training to employees who have been identified by their department or supervisor as an individual who will be required to operate a SMEV. 

Operator training must be completed prior to ever operating any piece of specialized equipment. 

If a new type of equipment/vehicle is introduced that is different from the type they received a prior certification for, they must receive a certification in the new equipment/vehicle before operating. 

A group of training attendees and the instructor around a boom lift, performing an inspection

Training must consist of the following:

  • Classroom instruction
  • Hands-on training
  • Evaluation of competency
  • Recertification every three years

More information about training, including how to request training, can be found on the EHS Safety Training webpage.