Coroner's fears after quick hitch tragedy

A concerned coroner is writing to the government detailing the dangers of semi-automatic quick hitches on diggers following an inquest into the death of a groundworker last week.

Westminster coroner Dr Paul Knapmann is sending a letter to health and safety minister Lord McKenzie outlining his worries about the system.

The jury returned a narrative verdict into the death of Gerald Fox after hearing how he was struck by a digger bucket filled with wet concrete.

The safety pin designed to prevent accidental release of the quick hitch latch for the digger attachment had not been inserted.

He was working for Euro Earthworks at a site in Chelsea at the time of the tragedy.

Fox's death was the latest in a series of fatalities, which have led to a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) clampdown and an agreement by European manufacturers to cease supply of semi-automatic quick hitches for new machines in the UK.

Dr Knapmann is believed to be worried about the dangers posed by the existing fleet of machines fitted with the system before the ban came into effect.

HSE specialist mechanical and engineering inspector Taran Hewitt gave evidence at the inquest.

After the hearing, he told CJ: "The coroner voiced his concerns about the use of semi-automatic quick hitches and wanted to highlight the potential danger of machines still using the system.

"There are an awful lot of diggers already out there in the industry that are still using this system because they pre-date the ban."

An HSE spokesman said: "The ban does not mean that all semi-automatic hitches are illegal and when used in accordance with manufacturers' instructions, semi-automatic quick hitches can still be used safely."

The industry's Strategic Forum has setup a group of manufacturers, training providers, operators, contractors and hire companies to look at how quick-hitch accidents can be prevented while existing semi-automatics are phased out.

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