Opinion ID: 1377
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Operations and Service Manuals

Text: When JLG sold the 500RTS to United Rentals, it included an instruction manual for users of the lift (the operator’s manual). The operator’s manual includes information about the lift’s operating functions and a number of warnings and cautions. A “WARNING” indicates the potential of a “HAZARDOUS SITUATION” resulting in “SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH;” a “CAUTION” indicates the potential for a “HAZARDOUS SITUATION” resulting in “MINOR OR MODERATE INJURY.” (Appellants’ Appx. at 74.) The operator’s manual includes the following warnings: ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL ARE BASED ON THE USE OF THE MACHINE UNDER PROPER OPERATING CONDITIONS, WITH NO DEVIATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. ALTERATION AND/OR MODIFICATION OF THE MACHINE IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN, WITHOUT WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM JLG .... MODIFICATION OR ALTERATION OF AN AERIAL PLATFORM 8 An operator using the lift with leveling jacks retracted (and at a platform elevation of more than 6 inches) cannot move the jacks without first lowering the platform to the stowed position. For instance, if the wind came up while an operator was working at 18 feet, causing stability concerns, the operator would have to lower the platform to the stowed position before he could deploy the leveling jacks. Likewise, if the leveling jacks were in use and the platform was raised above 6 inches the operator would have to lower the platform to the stowed position before he could adjust the leveling jacks. -5- SHALL BE MADE ONLY WITH PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE MANUFACTURER. .... NEVER DISABLE OR MODIFY ANY SAFETY DEVICE. ANY MODIFICATION OF THE MACHINE IS A SAFETY VIOLATION AND IS A VIOLATION OF OSHA RULES. (Id. at 74, 200, 201.) The operator’s manual includes a caution reading: “DO NOT OPERATE MACHINE IF HIGH DRIVE SPEED, HIGH ENGINE SPEED, AND HIGH PUMP SPEED FUNCTIONS OPERATE WHEN [WORK] PLATFORM IS RAISED ABOVE THE STOWED POSITION.” (Id. at 204.) The operators manual also includes a “DAILY FUNCTIONAL CHECK” with instructions telling users, “A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF ALL SYSTEMS SHOULD BE PERFORMED . . .” and directing users to “Raise and lower [the work] platform several times [to] . . . [c]heck that high function speeds cut out at 6 in[ches] . . . above fully retracted [work] platform height.”9 (Id. at 203.) A warning placard is attached to the lift reading in relevant part: “DAILY SAFETY CHECK LIST . . . 2. TEST HIGH SPEED CUTOUT SWITCHES . . . 6. CHECK ALL FUNCTIONS . . . TO BE SURE THERE ARE NO MALFUNCTIONS 7. DO NOT OPERATE MALFUNCTIONING MACHINE . . . FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AND CORRECT ANY DEFICIENCIES FOUND IN THE ABOVE MAY 9 In other places, the manual reads: “TO AVOID INJURY DO NOT OPERATE A MACHINE UNTIL ALL MALFUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. USE OF A MALFUNCTIONING MACHINE IS A SAFETY VIOLATION.” (Appellants’ Appx. at 202, 203.). In two places it reads: “TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, DO NOT OPERATE MACHINE IF ANY CONTROL LEVERS OR TOGGLE SWITCHES CONTROLLING PLATFORM MOVEMENT DO NOT RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.” (Id. at 203, 204.) -6- RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.” (Id. at 236.) The purpose of these multiple cautions and daily testing requirements is to provide a method to alert both operators and mechanics if the DSCOS safety features are not functioning properly. Checking for proper operation of the safety features is not difficult. When high-speed functions are operational, the engine noise is noticeably higher. If high engine noise is present when the work platform is raised above 6 inches, the noise should alert the operator/mechanic of a problem. Engine noise aside, the proper operation of the DSCOS cut out can be confirmed by checking (daily, as the manual specifies) to see if high-speed functions (including high pump speed) are inoperable when the work platform is raised more than 6 inches. While not specifically mentioned in the warnings the proper operation of the safety cutout on the hydraulic jacks can be verified by raising the work platform more than six inches and attempting to move the jacks – if they move there is a problem. If safe practices are followed, an operator or mechanic would be on notice when safety devices were malfunctioning. United Rentals’ 500RTS also included a separate manual for service technicians and mechanics (the service manual). The service manual includes a detailed electrical schematic showing, among other things, the electrical communication between the leveling jack toggle switches and the DSCOS. A representative of United Rentals testified JLG informed his company in the 1990’s the leveling jack interlock was connected to the DSCOS and United Rentals recognized the importance of this information. However, the representative could not identify any way United Rentals -7- specifically passed that critical information along to its mechanics.10 Nonetheless, common sense dictates a mechanic would consult the service manual (and JLG) prior to modifying critical electrical circuitry, particularly in light of the numerous explicit “no alteration” warnings contained in both the operator and service manuals.