Rank: Forum user 
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My company has started to use a tail lift to transport and unload cages at another site.
My concern is the stability of the cages when unloading / loading.
In an ideal world we would have guard rails fitted but I am not sure how well this would sit with my company in terms of cost as we have a large fleet of vehicles.
I am due to go on the run tomorrow so that I can carry out a risk assessment.
Has any body dealt with the risks of off loading using a tail lift ?
Would appreciate any advice or guidance.
Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Szone
We have over 150 vehicles with tail lifts. The newer models and even some of the old ones all have hand rails on the side which come down with the tail. The lip on the end of the tail is normally left up to stop anything from rolling of the back when going up and down.
Drop me a PM is you want some more info.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Szone,
Sounds like you situation is near identical to mine. What size sites are the deliveries being made to? what's the nature of the business?
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Rank: Forum user
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In my previous job we unloaded cages from a tail lift. The tail lifts were all fitted with flaps on the three edges of the tail lift which the driver raised before putting the cages on the lift. Another measure we used was to fit chains with poles at each corner of the lift which formed an extra barrier (we were unloading on a public street, facing downhill with a camber). I don't know if your lifts are designed to have the poles and chains fitted, but it's worth a look.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi SS,
I went on the run today. The tail lifts are fitted with the flaps on the end but not on the side.
At the very maximum there will be 8-10 cages on the drop. The car park where they will be dropped are level and spacious.
From watching the operation it appears the risk can be controlled with a safe system of work as opposed to installing/adjusting all tail lifts within the fleet (Cost V's Risk).
Has anyone else used a safe system, training to control the risks of delivering cages using a tail lift with only flaps fitted at the end of the lift ?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Szone,
Yes. That's how we manage it. PM me and I'll give you the details.
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Rank: Forum user
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I'm sure you haven't, but don't overlook maintenance of the tail-lift itself, particularly the lifting chains.
I investigated an accident a few years back where the chains weren't properly lubricated causing one of them to seize and break. The break came on the opposite side of the top pulley to the fail-safe device and, because of the poor state of the chain, it kept tension in the chain long enough to allow the lift to drop approx 18 inches on one side, pitching the driver off the side closely followed by a load weighing approx 750kg.
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Rank: Forum user
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Don't forget that the tail lifts will also be covered by LOLER and will need annual examination by a competent person
Phil W
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Rank: Forum user 
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Phil W wrote:Don't forget that the tail lifts will also be covered by LOLER and will need annual examination by a competent person
Phil W I am assuming that if flaps are not on the side the operator will also be on the tail-lift at the same time as the cage (To control it) therefore the examination is 6 monthly as it is carrying a person.
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Rank: Super forum user
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steveeckersley wrote:Phil W wrote:Don't forget that the tail lifts will also be covered by LOLER and will need annual examination by a competent person
Phil W I am assuming that if flaps are not on the side the operator will also be on the tail-lift at the same time as the cage (To control it) therefore the examination is 6 monthly as it is carrying a person. It's a valid point Steve but I wouldn't assume anything. Even if the operator is riding the lift (not uncommon). He shoudn't need to be there to steady the cages,if that's the case then there are other issues that need dealing with before the frequency of the LOLER inspection. LOLER is an easy one to deal with regarding tail-lifts because it deals with absolutes. By far the biggest risk with tail-lifts is the risk of something falling off and landing on top of someone, not so easy to manage on a busy high street.
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