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HSE warns of trapping danger
21:00 12 Oct 2005
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Recent fatalities cause Health & Safety Executive to urge caution for mobile platform and telehandler operators.
Following six deaths in the past three years, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning about possible dangers with mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers.
It has identified some common features, such as MEWP operators being trapped against an overhead or adjacent object preventing the controls from being released, as well as pedestrians being struck by telehandlers - particularly when reversing.
Geoff Cox, the HSE's head of operations for Yorkshire and the North East, highlighted six fatalities over three years, but stressed that all the machines involved were CE-marked, fully legal and not suffering from any defect.
As there appear to be no immediate technical steps to overcome these problems, the HSE is suggesting a number of practical steps that contractors and plant owners can take.
It said contractors should assess whether MEWP operators could strike an overhead object, and if so, whether there is a physical barrier to prevent the operator being pushed against and inadvertently operating the controls. If operators could be pressed up against the controls, further checks should be made to see that they can reverse the direction of travel to free themselves.
To prevent accidents with telehandlers, it is suggesting visibility aids, such as mirrors and CCTV, and to ensure pedestrian routes (both for the public and site workers) are clearly separated from areas of machine operation.
But John Iles, managing director of Merlo UK, said convex mirrors can make objects appear further away and that up to 50% of the time people in mirrors may not be spotted by the operator unless they are wearing high visibility jackets.
Selecting the correct size of telehandler for the site conditions is central to safety as is identifying the optimum delivery and loading points and minimising the need to reverse.
"It should be relatively simple to assess whether you might have a problem," said Cox, adding: "Solving the problem may involve both management controls and physical measures."
The HSE is not seeking modifications to mini excavators following a fatal incident in which the boom was inadvertently activated by a person in the cab while they were leaning out of the front window.
"All the manufacturers tried to recreate this incident, but it appears it is only possible with one make of machine," Cox told CJ.
He declined to name the manufacturer involved, but said the potential for inadvertent bucket slewing was a greater concern across all sizes and makes of excavator.
Following six deaths in the past three years, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning about possible dangers with mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers.
It has identified some common features, such as MEWP operators being trapped against an overhead or adjacent object preventing the controls from being released, as well as pedestrians being struck by telehandlers - particularly when reversing.
Geoff Cox, the HSE's head of operations for Yorkshire and the North East, highlighted six fatalities over three years, but stressed that all the machines involved were CE-marked, fully legal and not suffering from any defect.
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As there appear to be no immediate technical steps to overcome these problems, the HSE is suggesting a number of practical steps that contractors and plant owners can take.
It said contractors should assess whether MEWP operators could strike an overhead object, and if so, whether there is a physical barrier to prevent the operator being pushed against and inadvertently operating the controls. If operators could be pressed up against the controls, further checks should be made to see that they can reverse the direction of travel to free themselves.
To prevent accidents with telehandlers, it is suggesting visibility aids, such as mirrors and CCTV, and to ensure pedestrian routes (both for the public and site workers) are clearly separated from areas of machine operation.
But John Iles, managing director of Merlo UK, said convex mirrors can make objects appear further away and that up to 50% of the time people in mirrors may not be spotted by the operator unless they are wearing high visibility jackets.
Selecting the correct size of telehandler for the site conditions is central to safety as is identifying the optimum delivery and loading points and minimising the need to reverse.
"It should be relatively simple to assess whether you might have a problem," said Cox, adding: "Solving the problem may involve both management controls and physical measures."
The HSE is not seeking modifications to mini excavators following a fatal incident in which the boom was inadvertently activated by a person in the cab while they were leaning out of the front window.
"All the manufacturers tried to recreate this incident, but it appears it is only possible with one make of machine," Cox told CJ.
He declined to name the manufacturer involved, but said the potential for inadvertent bucket slewing was a greater concern across all sizes and makes of excavator.
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