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Following a fatal accident the Health and Safety Executive is stressing that hook loaders and other safety critical parts associated with skips do require thorough examination in accordance with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations.
HSE investigations revealed that a lifting arm on a hook loader vehicle led to disconnection and ejection of the skip, fatally injuring a worker.
The mechanism failed when the driver was attempting to “jog” the vehicle to dislodge material by repeated forward/reverse motions with the skip in the raised position. During this process the seals on the hydraulic cylinder failed leading to the unhooking and dropping of the skip onto a nearby worker.
What is required?
The lifting components should be regarded as SAFETY CRITCAL (this includes the lifting hook, hydraulic cylinders and associated pipework and fittings). Employers using this type of equipment should ensure:-
1) LOLER Thorough Examination is carried out so that deterioration can be detected in sufficient time to allow remedial action to be taken.
2) Maintenance is carried out on the lifting equipment to ensure it remains available for use at work in an efficient working order and in good repair.”
Sourced from HSE bulletin “ Hook Loader vehicles: Applicability of Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998”
Added Incidents and Accidents on 05/01/09
View EntryWarning over Quick Hitch Attachments for Excavators:-
Following a sequence of near misses, accidents and unfortunately fatalities involving failure of quick hitches urgent guidance has been issued by the Health & Safety Executive to try and raise awareness of the potential problems if this equipment is not well maintained and regularly inspected. Essential reading for anyone involved with excavation this article contains comment from HSE. The requirement for thorough examination by a competent person in all cases is clear.
Added Incidents and Accidents on 20/06/08
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