Design Safety

How did you consider safety when designing this vehicle? Please describe the safety considerations you are making in relation to the physical  structure of your vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, any railings, stairs, ladders, trailers, control wiring, electrical grounding, or multiple levels that are a part of your vehicle, as well as your vehicle’s load capacity and braking system. Please attempt to strike a balance between  thorough and concise.

 The VRF is a commercial vehicle, licensed and inspected for off-road use.  The VRF includes both a service and parking brake system, which will be inspected before use as per OSHA regulations.

 The Cloud will be built on an ANSI/ITSDF B56.6-2011-8.24 compliant personnel platform, secured to the forklift and and operated in compliance with that statute, including personnel platform operations as described in section 5.15.

All removable overhead hardware will be secured using a primary mounting system and a secondary safety lanyard (so, they won’t get left behind on the ground either).

Aerial rigging points will be made from rated hardware.  Rigging will be inspected by a qualified rigger.

People on the platform will be provided with a harness, lanyard, and deceleration device.

We’ll keep an ABC-type fire extinguisher up on the cloud, and another with the vehicle operator.  Minimum rating 2A/10BC.

Will carry 100 gallons of potable water using food-grade containers and piping. All water will be stored in camp in sealed IBC containers. If it is deemed necessary, we’ll be happy to obtain a NV Health Department permit and complete any required inspections.

Operating Procedures

All operators are trained and carry a current certification for Class 7 (rough terrain) forklift, in compliance with OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.178.  The machine will be operated following procedures specified in ANSI/ITSDF B56.6-2011.  While it doesn’t make sense to reproduce the requirements here, pertinent details include:

• No traveling with the cloud in the elevated position
• No driving the machine with people on the platform
• Never exceed 33% of the machine’s rated capacity at the given position with people on the platform.
• No riders anywhere on the machine. The cloud is not a transportation device.
• People on the platform will be provided with a harness, lanyard, deceleration device and radio to communicate with the driver
• The operator will always wear the seat belt while operating the machine.
• The machine will be properly secured when out of the operator’s control.

Before each forrey with the cloud, we will begin with an inspection of hydraulic lines, tires, brakes, rigging, and platform securing system and safety lines.  For nocturnal missions, this will include inspecting our lighting, (not to mention topping of generator and possibly our water tanks)

Then the designated operator for this trip  will discuss with his escorts where they wish to go and/or where they want to perform. Then the operator will get start the VRF and turn on the running lights.  Get the all clear/ radio check from each escort . Put the boom into travel safe position, raise the stabilisers, and disengage emergency brake.

 Two to three escorts will shadow the VRF on foot (or on bicycle for deep playa) to call out obstacles and act as crowd control. Each guide will be in radio contact with the machine operator and will carry an air horn to alert the operator in loud environments.

When we wish to perform, we will stop and confirm there is space with the escorts. Engage primary and emergency brakes, and deploying stabilizers.

If this performance involves persons in the cloud, this is where we lower the platform so they can board and strap in. Once they have signaled they are strapped in and an escort has confirmed, the gate is closed and locked. The operator will raise the platform to its desired height, always keeping weight limitations and appropriate restriction in boom positioning in mind.

 For performances involving storms, we have developed some procedures to help minimize our impact on the playa:

•  The only thing we’ll put on the ground is clean potable water.
• We won’t ever run the water for a long time (to conserve it), so we don’t expect to saturate the playa to a depth of more than 1/2″, similar to the water trucks
• We will make sure to never drive the machine through the wet spot, so as to keep the playa from getting all clumpy, creating a hazard for cyclists.

 After performance, escorts will clear the area under the boom and signal the operator it is clear to lower. At this point if there were any performers they can exit, otherwise the cloud will be lifted up into position to travel. Stabilizers and brakes removed, running lights on and we are ready to roll.

We’ll keep an ABC-type fire extinguisher on the cloud, and another with the vehicle operator.  Minimum rating 2A/10BC.  A first aid kid will be located in the vehicle’s cab and all operators will have basic first aid training.

Enter/Exit Procedures

The Cloud functions primarily as art and will not carry passengers.  Performers and guests can stand atop The Cloud, but only with the forklift’s brakes engaged.  On those occasions, once escorts have cleared the area the boom is lowered to the ground (per B56.6-2011 5.15), people enter the platform when the cloud is at ground level.  Participants on the platform will enter through a gate that opens near the rear of the cloud, just outside the wheelbase and within plain sight of the operator. The operator will not lift the platform until the gate is closed and latched (confirmed by escort) and all personnel lanyards are secured (confirmed by occupants). Once again, we are prohibited by law from carrying passengers.