Latest news and information from Plant Inspection Services
NEWS RELEASE
16 July 2010
TRAPPING & CRUSHING IN MEWPS: GUIDANCE FROM STRATEGIC FORUM PLANT SAFETY GROUP
The Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group has published new guidance intended to help industry reduce the risk of trapping and crushing injuries to people working in mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
The new document - Best Practice Guidance for MEWPs - Avoiding trapping / crushing injuries to people in the platform - has been published by CPA on behalf of the Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group. It is available for free download from the CPA website at http://www.cpa.uk.net/p/Plant-Safety-Group.
The use of MEWPs is increasing as the benefits for productivity and safety are recognised. They are acknowledged by many to be the safest and most efficient means of providing temporary access to height for many work activities.
Unfortunately, the increased use of MEWPs in construction, maintenance and other applications where trapping risks are present has led to accidents in which people on the platform have been trapped between the platform (often referred to as a cage or basket) and objects in the work area. In some cases these accidents involved fatality. These accidents can be avoided if good practice is encouraged and followed.
In the Foreword to the Best Practice Guidance, Phillip White, Chief Inspector of Construction at HSE, said “In addition to the terrible cost in human suffering, accidents have a financial cost. There is a very strong business case for improving safety performance. This new guidance is straightforward, comprehensive and easy to adopt. It represents best practice. I commend the guidance to anyone who owns, supplies or controls the operation of MEWPs. Please read the publication and turn the advice into action.”
The new guidance has been produced in two parts. Part 1 is aimed at planners, managers, and trainers. It provides information on hazards, risk assessment, controls and responsibilities. The annexes to Part 1 provide detailed information which can assist in the identification of trapping risks and in the planning and managing of work activities to protect against entrapment accidents.
Part 2 is aimed at those using and supervising MEWPs and responsible for rescuing anyone trapped on a MEWP platform. Part 2 has been designed to be used in briefings or toolbox talks for supervisors and MEWP operators.
The new guidance was written by a Working Group which was formed in September 2009. Over 40 people contributed to the work, representing over 30 companies and trade bodies. HSE are members of the Working Group, and the Best Practice Guidance was prepared in conjunction with them.
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Notes for editors
1. The Strategic Forum for Construction is the only construction forum that seeks to represent the whole of the construction community. It comprises senior members of the constituent organisations who are committed to addressing the health and safety issues of the construction industry through ownership, leadership and partnership.
2. The Plant Safety Group was formed by the Strategic Forum Health and Safety Group in December 2008. The Plant Safety Group is chaired by Colin Wood, Chief Executive of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA).
3. The aim of the Plant Safety Group is to bring about a continuous reduction in the rate of injuries and ill health caused through the operation and installation of plant in the construction industry. To achieve this aim, contractors, safety specialists, training organisations, plant hirers, manufacturers and unions are all represented on the group, as well as the HSE.
4. Construction Plant-hire Association is a trade association for plant hire companies. Established for over sixty years, the Association has 1500 members throughout the UK, representing 85% of the plant hire industry.
For more information
Colin Wood, Chief Executive, CPA: 020 7796 3366 /
Kevin Minton, Senior Manager, CPA: 020 7796 3366 /
Added Plant Inspection News on 20/07/10
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Following a recent fatal accident in Scotland the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning all users of telescopic variable reach trucks, commonly known as telehandlers, of the danger of not replacing broken windows on these machines.
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View EntryFollowing 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 EntryIndustry takes action on Semi-Automatic Quick Hitches from 1 October 2008
HSE has confirmed that European manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to cease supply of semi-automatic quick hitches into the UK. The agreement comes after discussions between HSE and industry and will be effective as of 1 October 2008.
After four fatal incidents in the twelve month period between December 2006 and November 2007, all involving semi automatic quick hitches, HSE began talks with quick hitch manufacturers, excavator manufacturers and others to highlight the problem with semi-automatic quick hitches and look for potential solutions.
Industry has been supportive throughout these discussions, and as a result all manufacturers have agreed to stop supplying this type of quick hitch as of 1 October 2008.
What this means for users of quick hitches
The agreement will mean that in the future when buying a quick hitch only manual or automatic quick hitches will be available.
This does not mean that all semi automatic hitches will be illegal as of 1 October 2008. When used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions semi automatic quick hitches can still be used safely.
Owners and users should still be able to order spare parts for current semi automatic hitches from manufacturers.
Background information
HSE Sector Information Minute (SIM 02/2007/01) - Safe use of quick hitch devices on excavators [182KB]
HSE Safety Alert on Quick Hitches (issued 17 December 2007
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Added Incidents and Accidents on 20/06/08
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Added General / Current Legislation on 20/06/08
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The H&SE has we understand been tasked by the government to produce significant reductions in occupational disease. The main way that the enforcement agencies appear to have reacted is to step up enforcement of the existing Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
The implications for Industry will will be significant and the changes are in place NOW.
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