Rank: Forum user 
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On one of our client’s sites we have been tasked with repair work to the internal shell of ships if they are damaged whilst removing their cargo (coal products). In the past we have been able to use a man basket that was attached to a Telescopic Handler. This basket was fit for purpose and suited the task well.
However; recently the client upgraded the Telescopic Handler to a Bobcat T40170 that has integrated controls in the man basket as well as the cab. This allows the driver to manoeuvre the basket into the correct position with more precise moves, and should anything go wrong they is additional rescue controls.
The problem with this basket is that the internals of the ships holds are at an angle so when the basket is positioned against the shell side, the bottom touches but the top handrail is approximately 32 inches away. Obviously this will cause all sorts of problems (working outside of the confines of the platform, over reaching, manual handling issues, and so on).
My question is regarding legislation preventing our employees working outside of the confines of the basket. We have proposed to have the employee in a harness with restraint lanyard, the basket door can then be opened which will automatically shut the machine down (leaving it in a safe position), then we will have pre-mounted handrail bars to the basket that can be slid out to the shell of the ship and locked into position.
I realise this is difficult to picture; however I believe that by installing a handrail and putting the employee in a safety harness with restraint lanyard (he would normally be wearing this equipment anyway) we will have done what is reasonably practicable to prevent any fall from occurring. The side of the ship will prevent anyone from falling down as the base of the basket will be up against it and at the top where a maximum gap of 32 inches will be present we will have temporary handrails in position.
Does anyone know of any reason why this will or will not be acceptable? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
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Rank: Forum user
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Afternoon Dan et al,
Ok, I looked at the T40170 and one question springs to mind. Given I presume that you will be working from the bottom of the hold and not from the Dock side can you not harness and lanyard the operatives in boom out as normal and tip forward the basket slightly to close the gap?? It would appear that the loading plate connecting the basket to the body of the machine is standard fit for the forked version?
This would allow the handler to still be "driven" in the event of....
we did this manoeuver when we did maintenance during my time in the merchant.
yours aye
db
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Rank: Forum user
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db
I will need to ask the question whether the basket can tilt forward and backwards. I think the initial reason this was not considered was because the worker required an open space in front to enable ease of access to the plate they would be welding. By opening the door this would give them additional access to the side of the ship rather than leaning through the handrails. This task can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours so poor posture leaning through a gap would not be acceptable; however if the basket can be tilted then I guess they could move the basket to suit the welding position.
I will ask the question and post back. Thanks for your help.
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Rank: Forum user
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Db
I have asked the question whether the platform tilts forwards and backwards and it does. However the problem with this is that the angle of the ship would require the angle of the platform to be quite considerable. This would require the men to be working from a platform that is not level for a long period of time. Obviously this would cause all sorts of other issues.
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Rank: Forum user
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Got it dan - that is a problem. Stress positions are no fun at the best of times!
Ok, how many hulls ('scuse the punn) is this job to be undertaken on??
Reason im thinking would the rental of a fully articulated skyjack/genie/hulibert (other mewps are available haha) suffice if this is a releatively rare occurance. Otherwise your client has done his money on a solution that whilst good does not fit the task. A problem that a lot face in this day and age.
If not how bout (im spitballing here so bear with me) consturcting an angled platform that runs along the front inside aspect of the basket offsetting the angle of incline creating a flat area to work from?? that remains within the basket and should not contravene the standards?? this option allows for the provision of kit that dont fill the task - leaving you to stuff a square peg in a round hole!
Any good??
yours aye
db
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Rank: Forum user
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Db
Thanks again for the reply. This task is only carried out when a ship is damaged, so it could be 3 times a week or as little as this year which was 6 times total. The piece of equipment has been bought for other site tasks and therefore the task we are talking about it a bonus (supposedly!!) if there can use it rather than spending a long time building scaffolds, etc.
I think constructing some sort of platform that sits in the basket will be a good idea; however I wonder what standards would be broken by just adding screw fixed handrails. This way we provide sufficient protection against a fall, the ships side is open for full access and we are not interfering with the integrity of the basket itself.
The way I see it is if we design something that will either sit in the basket or attach to the basket that will provide suitable protection against a fall, whilst at the same time provide a suitable platform for the men to work from for extended periods of time the HSE would see this as reasonably practicable. I do not know of any specific legislation that would prevent us from opening the door to the platform and therefore if we demonstrated that we have done all we reasonably can to prevent a fall we should be ok. Any thoughts?
Thanks again for spending your time to assist with this.
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Rank: Forum user
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Dan,
No problem with the timings - its a snow day down here so everything gone right! (tgif less on anyway)
The kind of thing you refer to is what we do (testing and certification) so I would suggest the following -
You said that opening the cage door activates an E-STOP isolating the controls of the handler - as the name would suggest its an E-STOP check with the manufacturer is the E-STOP able to be activated for long periods without affecting the control circuits, or damaging the switch itself ** Caution ** I beleive bobcat are from across the pond and you may not get a straight answer as their sueing culture is different- statements from manufacturers are hard to get at best.
A clip on platform can be manufactured (that affixes with pins a la fork extentions) without compromise of the basket ** caution** you will have to test it as too much weight may affect the stability of the machine at height 80 Kg could make all the difference.
any good??
yours aye
db
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Rank: Forum user
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Db
I will have a word with the client to get in touch with Bobcat to check about the isolator, and then I will put across your points to them so they can make a decision on moving forward. Again I can’t thank you enough for your advice; hope you have a great Christmas. I will hopefully post the outcome as soon as they make any decisions.
Regards
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Rank: Super forum user
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For the cost of hire I would go for a purpose built articulated vehicle that is more adaptable and thus can give the best possible working position.
Bob
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Rank: New forum user
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Depending on the actual repair needed on the ship's side, the basket could be tilted foward for a comfortable working position for the welder/plater. It must be stressed that you really wouldn't want anything from the telehandler touching the side of the ship as god knows what damage could be done from the welding current earthing out through the man basket. Also, the welder/plater will want at least 24" from the top of the handrail to the workpiece anyway, so the movement and repositioning of the man basket is kept to a minimum.
It would be very worth while talking the man actually doing the job and see what they say with reguards to the position of the man basket to make their life easier. In the worst case, an adjustable floor could be fabricated with an added handrail system on the basket so when at 40 degrees the basket would be flat against the side of the ship and keep the man within its confines.
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Rank: New forum user
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for all of your help with this, much appreciated
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