25.07.2006

HSE highlights cabin lifting problems

The HSE has circulated a letter to numerous suppliers of temporary timber jackleg accommodation units following an investigation into an incident that resulted in serious injury to a lorry loader operator. The operator was injured when the jacklegs detached from the unit as it was being mechanically lifted and moved from the back of a lorry loader.

At the time of the accident, the Construction Sector of the Health and Safety Executive issued a safety alert letter to members of The Construction Plant Hire Association and The European Hire Association .

The main points of the investigation in the letter from Sue Thompson, Principal Inspector of Health & Safety Construction Division are:

1.It is important that the hirers of timber units ensure that they can be safely delivered and retrieved from sites and that the lifting operation is planned by a competent person and is carried out by someone who is trained in the use of the lifting equipment and who understands how the lift will be carried out.

2. In planning the lift, information needs to be provided on the weight of the load and other characteristics that may affect the safe lifting operation. (e.g. this information may be provided on plates fitted to the unit or included in a users manual.)

3. The timber cabin manufacturers instructions should also be available and reference made to the safe method of lifting the unit. (e.g. use of spreader beams; 4 leg chain slings).
Where chain slings are used as a method of lifting, it is important to use chains of the correct length and included angle.
Use of an incorrect chain length can lead to excessive load on the bolts which in turn could lead to cabin failure during lifting /lowering. In some timber units it may be necessary to use longer chain lengths to achieve a 60 degree angle.

4. As the timber units are often exposed to the elements, and will deteriorate with time, it is important that hirers have a suitable maintenance regime in place that checks the jackleg units to ensure that the lifting points and jackleg fitting attachments are properly maintained and the units are in a safe condition to hire and lift. Manufacturers should be able to provide information on maintenance checks and frequencies.

5. Consideration should be given to minimising the work at height aspects associated with slinging the load. Where work at height is necessary the Work at Height Regulations 2005 must be complied with.

The HSE requests companies to review their procedures and arrangements in relation to hire of jackleg timber cabins and ensure sufficient information is provided to hauliers to allow safe handling of these units.