31.10.2005

Platforms recalled

The Italian authorities have published recalls/withdrawal from service notices against two manufacturers of aerial lifts.

The first is against Zelig SpA of 9 via Monte San Genesio, 20158 Milan, against its F800EN and F800 ES scissor lifts, on the basis that they do not meet the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the machinery directive.

The reason given is that the machines have no form of load control, and the manufacturers technical documentation does not indicate that that the lifts are safe throughout the lift cycle in normal operation.

The product is also an indoor only model yet this fact is not posted anywhere on the machine. The CE approval was apparently carried out by Organismo Certificazone European Srl (OCE).

The second lift to be withdrawn from use is the 26 metre working height K260 truck mounted platform built by Scala Universal Pistoia (SUP) Piattaforme Aeree S.r.l, 51/53 via Provinciale Lucchese, 51030 Serravalle Pistoiese

In the case of the SUP K260, the recall notice states that units were found with cracks and fractures on the jib, the notice suggets that the units are liable to fail in normal use.
Please register to see all images

The SUP K190, smaller brother to the K260 which is subject to the recall

Further more, the notice states that the platform has no EC declaration of conformity and that the manufacturer has prepared an EC declaration that refers to an EC certification issued by a notified body that has declared that it has never issued any certificate for this type of platform.

The two notices conclude: “Therefore, these instances of non-conformity constitute a serious threat to the safety of workers and other persons. We wish to draw the attention of importers, distributors and users of the aforementioned products to this fact so that they can take the necessary measures in order to restore normal market operation within the European Common Area”.

Vertikal Comment

Notices such as this are quite rare, and not always related to serious threats to safety, however in these two cases if one believes the full extent of the declaration, the manufacturers have played fast and loose with the procedures for ensuring that these products are proved to be safe, prior to offering them for sale in Europe.

The Zelig Scissor lift would appear to be a case of poor marking in terms of lifting capacity and restrictions, and a lack of documentation and calculations in the technical file, that prove the machine is capable of meeting the minimum stability and structural standards.

The requirement for an overload device depends on when the unit was first CE approved; the CE approval though seems suspect if the technical file does not contain the appropriate documentation.

The SUP case would appear to be far more serious, in that units have been found with structural failings and it appears that the CE approval is suspect, possibly even forged?

If this is the case then surely a criminal prosecution against those responsible is a must.

We have attempted to contact the manufacturers concerned for their side of the story, but as of this evening have failed. In the interests of safety we are going ahead and publishing this information based on the fact that the source is the official gazette of the European Union and is posted by the Italian government.