16.05.2013
Telehandler overturns at school
A telescopic handler overturned last week at a school in Perth, Scotland, ripping into the roof of a building that the contractor was refurbishing.
The telehandler was lifting a long beam which suspended by a short sling from one of the forks when it went over sideways. The unit did not have its stabilisers down and was working on uneven terrain. The machines boom tore through the roof of the building but no one was injured and the occupants of the school had been evacuated in advance.
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The telehandler's boom ripped into the roof of the building
Main contractor Morrison Construction is carrying out a £2 million refurbishment to Kinnoull Primary school and a spokesman is quoted in the local media as saying: “These things happen on building sites. Any damage is superficial. It looked worse than it was. The whole site is being fully refurbished anyway.”
The Health & Safety Executive has also indicated that it will not be pursuing the matter and that there was no risk to members of the public. This in spite of the fact that guidance regarding the handling of handling suspended loads does not appear to have been adhered to and those working on site were certainly at risk.
Vertikal Comment
One has to hope that internally this incident was treated with a great deal more seriously than the attitude shown externally in terms of the response to journalists and the public. The HSE must also have taken this incident a great deal more seriously than local reports suggest?
At least no one was hurt this time, and hopefully the contractor has taken note of what happened and made changes to working practices with its telehandlers.
Ian Rust
Morrison ladder training video
i think that just about covers health and safety.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd_FMM8FPAU
Good Morning Mr Editor,
Thank you for publishing this Report, as it gives a real insight into how some Directors truly feel about Safety in the Workplace.
The Spokesman for Morrison Construction is quoted as saying: “These things happen on building sites. These words are worth repeating again, so here goes....
1.“These things happen on building sites". Yes they do when a Telehandler is used incorrectly as a Crane.
2. “These things happen on building sites" . Yes they do, when a Machine like this Telehandler is operated incorrectly on Sloping Ground, when used as a Crane.
3. “These things happen on building sites". Yes they do, when the Outriggers are not put down to Ground Level to keep the Telehandler vertical, while being used incorrectly to lift a Beam when used as a Crane.
In the Event of a Broken Skull, in place of that Broken Roof, would the Managing Director of Morrison Construction share this liberal approach to Safety. ?
Kind Regards
Mike Ponsonby BA
“These things happen on building sites"??????
"It looked worse than it was"????? Cheap, cheaper, cheapest or is it simply stupidity.
That will teach him a lesson !