Government retreats over ROPS date

Strong representation by the plant hire industry to Safety Minister Alan Meale has forced the Government to backtrack and concede that hirers must be given an extension to the original 5 December deadline to fit roll-over protection structures (ROPS) to mobile plant.

Both the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) refused to comment on the length of the proposed extension. However, unconfirmed rumours suggest it could be three months, which hirers say is no help to them whatsoever.

David Chidgey, the Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesman, said "I suppose it is better than nothing."

"Meale has accepted that hirers would have tremendous difficulties in meeting the 5 December deadline."