25.11.2013
Booming over traffic
In the past two days we have seen two examples of truck mounted work platforms standing off to one side and working over the street.
One in a Death Wish submission and the other in a publicity photograph of a manufacturer’s machine. These are not one off incidents either, we have a fair number in our files.
We have always considered that working over the top of people or vehicles is dangerous and should be avoided, unless there is no option. We are also aware that it does go on quite a bit, and that some argue that it is one of the key advantages of using a machine with decent outreach, in order to avoid shutting down a route or shutting things down to carry out work.
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Example one sent in as a Death Wish
For the exercise of soliciting your views we have covered up the identity of the makes and owners of the two examples which arrived in on the same day. Not because we are getting soft… but simply as we want to start a positive and constructive debate on the subject without getting into any finger pointing and accusations. There are differing views out there and it goes on a lot more than we had realised.
One significant danger of course is the risk of being clipped by a high sided vehicle such as a bus, if the boom is inadvertently lowered while over the road. Those who advocate the practice would say that as long as a full risk assessment is put in place and rigorous measures taken to protect against such things it is OK.
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Example two working heigh above
We welcome your constructive views on this subject
Sherm: Great idea. They are £1000 per day per officer. The detour and road closure would be in the region of £10,000 per day. Add to that the permits and surveys needed to even get it considered.
But in both cases if the right machine had been deployed there would have been no need to cross the road. Was a proper and full site survey carried out?
Obviously I am also an arm chair expert as I wasn't actually there on the day.
Alan Howes
This behaviour in MEWP operators is neither professional or responsible and goes against the 'duty of care' to themselves and others.
There may be occasions where an operator is required to boom over obstacles such as parked cars in a car park where the owners are nowhere to be found, but on the operator's shoulders be it.
Ultimately it will be the operator or their company who will be liable if any damage is caused. Try denying that oil hasn't leaked from your boom or debris hasn't been flicked or dropped onto the bonnet of somebodies prized Mercedes.
And if the owner does come back then you will most certainly need to stop work, stow the machine, remove any cordons and allow them safe access and egress.
Sherm
I would employ law enforcement to detour traffic at the intersections. The benefit would be no traffic passing while the work gets done.
Another ploy could be to work the job at daylight and block off intersections with cones or barricades.
Another approach could be to choose a set location that doesn't cross the street. If I had to rent a lift for this I would want one with a rotating basket to allow the two workers full access to the sign.