Posted By Lee Bennett
Nigel,
Thought it would be easier just to copy this HSE press release to you.
Users of mobile work equipment, including forklift trucks, dumper trucks and tractors, are reminded that safety regulations are extended to all such equipment from today, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warns.
For new equipment the requirement to comply with Part III of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) have been in effect since 5 December 1998. But for equipment in use before that date a four-year transitional period was included. That transition period expires today.
Timothy Walker, HSE's Director General, said:
"The HSE is committed to reducing the number of deaths involving mobile work equipment. Last year 99 people were killed and over 8,000 people were injured in accidents involving workplace transport. The coming into effect of Part III of PUWER 98 will contribute to reducing the unacceptable level of deaths and injuries."
The serious safety risks involved in the use of mobile equipment include: being struck by the vehicle; the vehicle rolling over; the driver or passengers falling from the vehicle or being struck by a falling object; unauthorised start up of the vehicle; inadequate devices for braking and stopping; and restricted driver visibility.
Part III of PUWER addresses these risks by requiring duty holders to ensure their equipment is safe to use. Duty holders may have to take measures such as retrofitting roll-over protective structures (ROPS), falling object protective structures (FOPS), operator restraints (seat belts, lap belts, etc) and driver visibility aids such as mirrors. For instance, if under the particular conditions of use, mobile plant is likely to overturn, the user must provide a ROPS and operator restraint.
HSE is also reminding duty holders of the need to ensure that when mobile plant is used in conditions where overturn is likely, the operator restraint is worn. ROPS and restraints can be rendered useless if the driver of an overturning vehicle is not wearing the seat belt provided. Supervisors should regularly check drivers are wearing seat belts where necessary.
Notes to Editors
1. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98), together with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), implement the Amending Directive to the Use of Work Equipment Directive (95/63/EC).
2. Part III of PUWER (comprising six regulations) was introduced to deal with the risks involved in the use of mobile work equipment such as forklift trucks, dumpers and tractors. It came into force immediately for new equipment, but mobile work equipment already in use before 5 December 1998 (when PUWER was introduced) had until 5 December 2002 to comply. The transitional period recognised that users needed time to adapt or retrofit existing equipment and allowed them to spread any costs over several years.
3. The accident statistics quoted in this press release are HSE figures for the year 2000/2001. There were 99 fatalities, 2,490 major injuries, and 5,857 over-3-day injuries.
4. Further information is available in HSE's free leaflet Fitting and Use of Restraining Systems on Lift Trucks (HSE Information Sheet MISC 241).
5. Copies of Safe Use of Work Equipment – Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (L22), ISBN 0-7176-1626-6, price £8.00, and Fitting and Use of Restraining Systems on Lift Trucks (MISC 241) are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, (tel: 01787 881165, fax: 01787 313995)
Press Enquiries relating to this press release: Journalists only: 020 7717 6219 or 020 7717 6915.
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701-545500
or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.
Regards
Lee.