November 11, 2005—The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to the construction industry about possible dangers with two pieces of equipment commonly used by construction companies: mobile elevating working platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers.
HSE is drawing attention to two specific risks. First, when working from a MEWP there is a danger of the operator being trapped against an overhead or adjacent object that prevents the controls from being released. Second, when working on sites where a telehandler needs to be reversed, or where there is poor pedestrian segregation, there is a risk, due to the driver’s limited visibility, of people walking around the site being struck.
According to HSE, solving the problem may involve both management controls and physical measures. The management control issues relate to selecting the most appropriate equipment for the task and site, ensuring operators are properly trained and are familiar with the site and the equipment, and setting and enforcing site rules. Physical measures may also be appropriate, but HSE advises users to always contact the supplier or manufacturer concerned before considering taking any physical measures themselves.
HSE is working with manufacturers and suppliers so that they can deal with some of these issues at the source. HSE is also encouraging the improvement of the international design standards to which the equipment is built.
