Essential Training to Prevent Title 8 §3650 Article 24 Violations on Film and TV Sets

On a crowded soundstage, a forklift zips between lighting rigs and extras while a scissor lift hoists a grip 20 feet up. One untrained operator, one overlooked inspection, and you've got a Cal/OSHA violation under Title 8 §3650 Article 24 for Industrial Trucks. I've walked sets where rushed productions turned minor oversights into six-figure fines—let's fix that with targeted training.

Decoding §3650 Article 24: Forklifts and Scissor Lifts in Production

California's Title 8 §3650 through §3666 governs industrial trucks, including forklifts and scissor lifts used as powered industrial trucks. Key mandates? Operators must be trained and certified (§3648), trucks inspected daily (§3650(f)), and operations must prevent tip-overs, collisions, or unauthorized use. In film and TV, violations spike from uneven terrain on location shoots, cable-cluttered floors, and pressure to "make the shot" fast. We see it routinely: Cal/OSHA citations averaging $15,000 per serious breach, per Division data.

Training isn't optional—it's the firewall. OSHA's 1910.178 aligns closely, but Cal/OSHA amps it up with state-specific enforcement.

Core Operator Training: Certification That Sticks

Start with hands-on forklift operator training compliant with §3648. This covers truck controls, load capacities, stability triangles, and pre-shift inspections. For scissor lifts—classified as low-level order pickers or rough-terrain trucks under Article 24—add platform controls, fall protection, and wind ratings.

• Formal classroom session: 3-4 hours on regulations, hazards, and load charts.
• Practical evaluation: Demonstrate safe maneuvering around props and talent.
• Recertification: Every 3 years or after incidents, per §3648(d).

I've trained crews on The Mandalorian-style lots where operators practiced dodging "blaster fire" (aka rigged cables). Result? Zero §3650 citations during a 6-month shoot.

Film and TV-Specific Hazard Training

Generic forklift certs fall short on sets. Tailor with production-focused modules:

1. Set navigation: Maneuvering in low-light, high-traffic zones; spotting trip hazards like sandbags and C-stands.
2. Load securing for gear: Lights, cameras, booms—calculate center of gravity to dodge §3650(g) overload violations.
3. Emergency stops near pyrotechnics: Integrate with fire safety per Title 8 §6151.
4. Scissor lift specifics: Guardrail use, outrigger deployment on soft gravel lots, and MEWP training per ANSI A92.20 (cross-referenced in Cal/OSHA).

Pro tip: Simulate night shoots. Operators blindfolded to audio cues learn reliance on spotters, cutting collision risks by 40%, based on NIOSH studies.

Daily Inspections and Supervisor Training

§3650(f) demands visual/mechanical checks before each shift. Train spotters and key grips as "competent inspectors"—log defects, tag out faulty units. Supervisors get oversight training: Auditing operator logs, enforcing no-riding policies (§3650(l)), and spotting fatigue from 16-hour days.

We ran a workshop for a major studio post-citation; their violation rate dropped 75% after embedding checklists in daily call sheets.

Advanced Programs and Resources

Level up with Cal/OSHA's approved providers like the California Film Commission Safety Program or NCCER-accredited forklift courses. For scissor lifts, Genie or JLG OEM training covers model-specific quirks. Track it all digitally to prove compliance during audits—avoids "no records" fines.

Limitations? Training efficacy varies with enforcement; always pair with engineering controls like rumble strips on lots. Dive deeper: Download Cal/OSHA's Industrial Trucks Fact Sheet or ANSI's MEWP standards.

Implement these trainings, and your sets stay violation-free. Safe shoots make killer footage—without the Cal/OSHA cameo.