Posted By artisdeeian
Dear All.

Has anyone had, or is having issues regarding who's responsible for the Unloading heavy commodities such as Concrete drainage pipes, pre-cast buildings etc to Contract sites around the country.
We use contract drivers to deliver our products and they are advised not to get on to the back of the load to fasten slings or lifting equipment for insurance reasons. They do however for obvious reasons have to release all load securing devises such as Straps, chains etc. I have advised the contractors that they should (If not already) carry out a risk assessment to determine the major hazards such as Falls from height. I have also suggested that they look at mechanical attachments for their offloading vehicles to eliminate the need for access on the bed of the trailer to offload. We as a company have proper lifting aids that secure this. However, we cannot be expected to supply all the contractors with this equipment. Other than giving guidance and information on what is required and without me carrying out their risk assessments, what else can I do? your thoughts please.

Posted By Bob Shillabeer
You say that you hire contractors to convey your products to sites around the country. So what is the problem? Use competent carriers who have undertaken the correct risk assessments for loading, transit and off ,oading the materials you send out. It is not what is carried so much as what processes has the haulage company got covering the type of traffic use send. Insist that the haulier has undertaken suitable and sufficient risk assesments about loading and unloading before you employ them. Remember it is not you who is employing the driver but the haulage firm. It sounds from your posting that you have the problem covered at you end with the correct lifting kit in place so its not your problem. If you wish to make it your problem you will need to undertake a series of assessments and establish both the mwthod and the kit for unloading the materials, but I suspect this is not wothin your wishes.