Latest news and information from Plant Inspection Services
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 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
Added Plant Inspection News on 06/10/08
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
View EntryLifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations have by definition been around since 1998! They do however remain in misunderstood and misquoted in many quarters. If you need guidance on the subject than what better place to start that the HSE? We recommend following the link… http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg290.pdf as a start.
If you have any specific queries please feel free to contact us load testing always seems to make for an interesting discussion!
Added General / Current Legislation on 20/06/08
View EntryNEW Guidance on LEV:- Installation, Maintenance & Examination
If you operate Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems (LEV) to control airbourne contaminants in the workplace then you need to know about the latest changes introduced by the Health & Safety Executive and in their attitude to enforcement.
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.
Added on 11/06/08
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