Compliance of Mobile Work Equipment

If you operate mobile work equipment – such as tractors, dumper trucks or forklift trucks, then there is an important deadline rapidly approaching.

Historically, this type of equipment has been involved in a high proportion of workplace related accidents, often severe in nature. So, for example, last year (2001) in the UK there were of the order of 8000 people injured in accidents involving these vehicles. Of these accidents, well over 5000 were over 3-day injuries and 99 were fatal. It is little wonder that the Health & Safety Executive is at pains to substantially reduce this level of unnecessary slaughter.

Equipment manufactured since December 1998 must comply with Part III of the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (comprising 6 specific regulations). Equipment manufactured before this date is not immune from the regulations but owners/operators were given a period of grace, extending to 4 years, during which time the equipment must be modified in order to comply. Some simple arithmetic indicates that the end of the period of grace is rapidly approaching – in December 2002 to be precise.

The hazards that are addressed by the new regulations are, of course, those that are the main causes of or contributors to accidents and fatalities, namely:

Operation of the Equipment (e.g. braking systems, visibility, unauthorised use)
Protection for Operators of the Equipment (e.g. rolling over, falling from vehicle, falling objects)
Protection for Other People who may be struck by the vehicle or require some of the same protection as the operator.

Some modifications may be as simple as fitting mirrors to improve visibility or seatbelts as restraints for operators. However, rollover protection and protection from falling objects may call for more elaborate modifications. Finally, of course there is the training and supervision of operators, and those who work in the vicinity where such vehicles are in use, to ensure they make effective use of the equipment and the new safety provisions.

The government, in the guise of the Health & Safety Executive, is clearly serious about tackling this problem. Having granted companies 4 years to improve the safety of their equipment, they are unlikely to look kindly on any that have failed to take action. The message, therefore, for all owners and user of such equipment is to ensure you are familiar with the legal requirements, inspect each vehicle for compliance and apply any necessary modifications without further delay.

Contact EDP HS&E Consultants for all your health, safety and environment needs. We can check your current arrangements and advise you about any changes or improvements you need to make.

To discuss your requirements, without any obligation on your part, please gives us a call on 01744 766000 or complete the Enquiry Form on our website.

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