EDITORIAL COMMENT - Jobs will go because of Euro-nonsense

Every site, every contractor and every hirer in the country could be disrupted by the European Commission's plan to upgrade safety levels in construction plant (front page). As an example of Euro-nonsense, the regulations are priceless.

Like the most dangerous of proposals to emanate from Brussels, it contains the germ of a good idea (namely that improved safety levels are desirable, but the market, left to itself, is reluctant to provide them). But this Euro-move is concealed in such an idiotic and unworkable plan that its logic is lost from sight.

The EC's aim is to prevent death or injury to operators caused when mobile kit tips over. The device to secure this noble aim is the ROPS or Roll-Over Protection Structure - a larger version of the head protection bars fitted to prevent head injuries in Formula One racing cars. The regulations will affect all kit sold or - and this is the good bit - hired after 5 December this year.

That gives the hire industry 13 weeks to upgrade thousands of machines - if they can. CJ discovered several market-leading manufacturers which hadn't even heard of the requirements, let alone geared themselves up to meet the colossal demand.

Some hirers report that up to half their machines may not even be upgradeable, and will be worth only scrap-value inside the EC. Project managers on site may find themselves in a bind as they struggle to hire compliant plant.

It is obvious that the plant hire and manufacturing industries have been caught cold by the EC's Draconian proposals. Many will want to know why. But initially the priority has to be to get the UK a last-minute opt-out from this crazy and unworkable plan.

Contractors who own plant have until 2002 to get their fleets in order. Plant hirers must win a similar concession, or face some ugly consequences.