Vehicle loading crane safety campaign coming in QLD

Below is a timeline detailing important events in relation to vehicle loading cranes.

The details of the WHSQ enforcement campaign is as below.

Commencing in August 2018, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) will conduct an enforcement campaign to ensure VLC owners and operators:

• are complying with relevant work health and safety and road safety requirements

• have implemented adequate controls to reduce the likelihood of unintentional extension of manually operated stabilisers and outriggers..

This is proactive step by the WHSQ and should be applauded. WHSQ have provided a great deal of explanatory information as well as some tools to help those affected by this campaign.

Having said this, the guidance information does fall short in some areas – in particular the requirements of the current Australian Standard (AS1418.11:2014 Cranes, hoists and winches – Vehicle-loading cranes). This Standard specifically addresses the controls required in relation to stowing and securing stabiliser legs – which were the principal mechanism of injury in the incidents mentioned above.

This is where Plant Assessor can help. The requirements of the above Standard, plus all other relevant authorities are incorporated into each make and model specific risk survey for vehicles mounted with loading cranes – all in a simple to use yes or no format.

I know it is a shameless plug, but the easiest way to ensure compliance with the WHSQ campaign is to conduct Plant Assessor risk assessments on your trucks and trailers fitted vehicle loading cranes.

If you have any questions regarding this issue or any other technical queries please contact us anytime.