HSE issues timber jack warning

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued an alert concerning timber-built temporary accommodation with jack legs.
The alert comes after an incident in which a lorry-mounted crane operator was seriously injured. While using the lorry-mounted crane to offload the unit, three of the jack legs, which also act as the lifting points, became detached, causing the unit to fall and trap the operator.
The HSE has placed the responsibility for safe delivery and collection of these units on the hire company, stressing that the work must be carried out by competent operators.
It placed emphasis on a proper maintenance to ensure the jack legs and lifting points are in safe condition and that the manufacturer's instructions on lifting, should be available at the time of a lift.