19.03.2003

“Check all Access Machines” warns HSE

The Health and Safety Executive has advised all owners of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) made by Access Machines Ltd to check their machines for poor quality welding. The warning follows an incident in which the work basket on a 1998, 0.12 tonne capacity Micro 95 trailer mount, class A1, became detached from its supporting boom.

The HSE said that the basket of the MEWP that failed was bolted to a round plate by four bolts and in turn the plate was welded to a pin or stub axle on the main boom. In this instance the pin to plate weld failed allowing the basket to fall off the end of the boom. Although there was some evidence of fatigue in the weld, the HSE said that it was concerned that poor quality welding may have contributed to the failure.

The HSE also said that although this may be a “one-off incident” it nevertheless strongly recommends that owners and operators of these and similar machines have this pin/plate connection thoroughly examine by a competent person at the earliest possible opportunity. Luckily, no one was injured in the incident.