After several fatalities, serious injuries, extensive property damage and subsequent successful prosecutions Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) have announced that they will conduct an enforcement campaign beginning in August 2018 for owners and operators of vehicle loading cranes.
Below is a timeline detailing important events in relation to vehicle loading cranes.
May ’12
Oct ’13
April ’14
May ’14
Dec ’14
Aug ’16
Sept ’16
Oct ’16
Feb ’18
March ’18
AS 1418.11 – new version published
AS 1418.11 – updates into Plant Assessor
PA article – AS1418.11 published
AS 2550.11 – new version published
AS 2550.11 – updates into Plant Assessor
PA article – AS2550.11 published
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.
Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information.