New Safety Guidelines For Forward Tipping Dumper Trucks

A guide to using forward tipping dumper truck is being produced for the Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group in the wake of several recent fatalities, reports The Construction Index on 9 October.

Eight people have been killed by forward tipping dumper trucks on UK construction sites in the past 15 months. Typically, the dumpers have overturned on mounting spoil heaps and the operator has tried and failed to jump clear. If the loaded dumper has restricted driver view this threatens the safety of other site workers on foot.

The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) have been moved to take action and the latest dumper truck meeting was held in Solihull last week. It was attended by more than 60 client representatives, contractors, plant manufacturers, federations, regulatory bodies, equipment owners and those offering dumper hire. CPA director Kevin Minton and CECA chief executive Alasdair Reisner co-hosted the meeting.

Agreement was reached on seven principles will be used as the basis of ‘an action plan to take forward’. These relate to visibility, stability, training, competence, spoil heaps, exclusion and equipment selection.

The CPA has already produced a safe-use guidance document, aimed principally at operators for refresher training purposes, and it was agreed at the forum that an operational good practice guide on forward tipping dumpers would be produced through the Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group, administered by CPA.

Several working groups are being formulated to discuss how to raise the bar in the seven areas to be focused on. One group will provide a supplementary document to the Plant Safety Group’s work on ground conditions by providing guidance and recommendations for the travelling of dumpers on spoil heaps. There are those who will hope that it says simply: ‘just don’t’.

CPA director Kevin Minton said afterwards: “Accidents and incidents involving forward tipping dumpers are caused in a number of different ways and we need a range of solutions to ensure the operator is safe and the general public is safe. The industry forum generated action points from which we can help to reduce the risk of accidents occurring, improve management of sites, commit to best practice and enhance awareness of operatives and operators.”

CECA chief executive Alasdair Reisner said: “We have made a tremendous amount of progress in a short space of time and have strong support from across the industry to work together to enhance the safety of forward tipping dumpers. There is a need to engage wider industry and we are looking to implement an awareness campaign such as the provision of a website to find more information about forward tipping dumpers.”

Enclosed cabs and the use of seatbelts were discussed at last week’s meeting after some have called for an industry-wide ban on open-cab dumpers of six-tonnes and above.

Dumper hire from London’s Mr Plant Hire

Enfield based Mr Plant Hire offers a choice of two forward tipping swivel dumpers for hire – both 6 tons or under.

Mr Plant Hire plc was established in 1981 and its growth has been built on a determination to ensure top quality plant, an excellent level of service and an unequivocal commitment to safety as a top priority.

In recent years Mr Plant Hire has become increasingly aware of the needs of its customers and employees to be fully briefed on all matters pertaining to health and safety. In view of this we now have a Company Health & Safety Manager dealing with in-house health and safety and related training. He is also available to consult with customers at any time.

We are members of the International Powered Access Federation and along with many other forms of training, this has led to Mr Plant Hire being awarded a Hire Association Europe National Safety Award of which we are very proud.

October 10, 2017