Spillard News

                                                                                         
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR JOURNALISTS ON TELEHANDLERS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

WHAT IS THE DANGER?
1. The danger being highlighted in this press release is that of pedestrians being struck by the vehicle when the driver has impaired visibility while travelling on traffic routes and open areas, and while manoeuvring or starting to move from stationary in areas where pedestrians can be present (see attached photograph). Visibility is limited by the shape of the machine itself, and this can be made worse by the load being carried and the layout of the site on which it is operating.

RECENT ACCIDENT HISTORY
2. In 2004/05 there was one fatal accident involving a pedestrian being struck by a telehandler on a construction site, and there was a second such fatality in 2003/04. In addition, there was a fatality in the waste industry in 2003/04 where a worker was struck by a reversing telehandler. Out of these 3 fatalities, 2 were during reversing and one was during forward travel.

CE MARKING
3. Telehandlers are typically designed to BS EN 1459:1998, and this Standard requires compliance with a further international Standard that deals specifically with driver visibility (ISOIDIS 13564). Telehandlers with the type of driver blind spots described above can still comply with these Standards, so
legitimately CE marked machines may still pose these risks.

IS THERE A PROBLEM?
4. Construction contractors can assess the risk by asking the following questions:
(a) Are they confident that their pedestrian/traffic route segregation arrangements will keep pedestrians out of the vicinity of vehicle movements?
(b) Have they designed the transport routes and tasks so as to eliminate reversing to the greatest extent possible, and identified where dangers remain when trucks are travelling, manoeuvring and regularly starting up from stationary positions (laden and unladen)?
(c) Have they chosen the right type of mobile plant to work on this site (size and capacity in relation to access routes) and do they know enough about what the driver can and can’t see when operating it?
(d) Have site and visiting personnel been instructed/trained in the site rules associated with vehicle movements and do they know how to protect themselves if it is necessary for them to work in the vicinity of telehandlers?
5. Remember that a trained and competent driver cannot be expected to fully compensate for any difficulties identified in the four assessment questions posed above.

INTERIM MEASURES
6. There are a number of interim measures that can be taken, either singly or in combination, and the nature of the site is likely to determine which is the optional solution in any specific instance. It should also be noted that none of the suggested measures are necessarily comprehensive, and some residual risks may remain.
7. Possible interim measures (in no particular order) would be:
(a) to improve the safety of the site itself through improvements in traffic routes, pedestrian segregation, elimination of reversing, etc;
(b) to change other operating parameters (such as delivery and loading points);
(c) to consider the choice or mix of plant used, and
(d) to provide additional visibility aids as necessary (such as mirrors or CCTV) on the telehandler and / or at areas of restricted visibility.
8. When considering the last two possible measures (7(c) and 7(d)) in relation to the telehandlers themselves, you are strongly advised to consult the hirers, suppliers and/or manufacturers of the plant concerned.

HSE INVOLVEMENT WITH MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS AND STANDARDS MAKERS
9. HSE has informed the most relevant Trade Association and all known UK-based manufacturers and suppliers of these machines about its concerns. The British Industrial Truck Association (BIT A), HSE and suppliers are actively involved in negotiating improvements in the design standards for telehandlers and driver visibility, and are conducting joint research on the suitability and use of visibility aids.

HSE CONTACTS
10. Technical issues arising from manufacturers and/or suppliers, or advice on safe use, should be directed to Gil Male on 0151 951 4034 or via gil.male@hse.gsi.gov.uk
11. Advice on legal aspects or more general queries can be directed to Mark Hatfield on 0113 283 4368 or                via mark.hatfield@hse.gsi.gov.uk

UK TRADE ASSOCIATION CONTACTS
12. The most relevant UK Trade Association for suppliers/manufacturers of telehandlers is BITA – the British Industrial Trucks Association, Tel. 01344 623800, email info@bita.org.uk
13. However, BITA should not be contacted for advice on individual machines. Construction contractors should contact the relevant manufacturer/supplier.