A press release from the CPA claims to set the quick hitch record straight. But does it?
The launch of Demolition News towards the tail-end of 2008 was fortunate enough to coincide with the first murmurings of confusion over the safe use of semi-automatic quick hitches. Since that time, even when there has been a lull in activity, we have always been able to rely upon this contentious subject to rear its ugly head and throw a little more fuel on the fire.
However, as we edge ever closer to our first birthday (6 August if you’re keeping count), this issue has now started to drag, a fact that has not been helped by well-meaning but ultimately static discussions and forums.
Take, for example, the latest press release from the Construction Planthire Association’s strategic forum on the subject. There can be little question that this forum has good intentions but, as far as we can tell, this latest release says nothing that hasn’t been reported here on Demolition News or in the trade media dozens if not hundreds of times.
In the absence of a firm and final statement from the Health and Safety Executive, this is a story that will run, run and run, probably long after we have lost the will to cover it. But, on the positive side, at lest the National Federation of Demolition Contractors has grasped the nettle and set in place some highly targeted and subject specific training on the matter.
The Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group panel that is working on quick hitch issues has issued an interim statement to clarify some misunderstandings and misrepresentation about quick hitch safety.
The Plant Safety Group is an industry wide consensus group. It does not recommend or favour any type of quick hitch, whether manual, semi or fully automatic.
The panel has restated that there has been no change in the law regarding the use of existing semi-automatic quick hitches. Kevin Minton of CPA, who is a member of the group, said that “It is not a question of semi-automatic quick hitches being “illegal” – if a Safe System of Work is in place, they can be used. When bad consequences arise, it is generally from ignorance and poor planning.”
Shortcomings in the current European standard have caused some problems, and have led some suppliers to suggest that they have the only “legal” quick hitches. However, as long as the quick hitch meets the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, there is no legal issue with them being used safely.
The panel acknowledges that some contractors have recently made their procurement policies public, and notes that some well-informed and considered decisions have been made. “Each contractor has opted for a solution that suits their work, and provided they don’t proclaim this to be universally applicable, they should not be criticised for their choice of policy” Mr Minton added. “Every duty holder should make their own fully informed and properly considered decision about how to improve safety in the areas they are responsible for”.
The panel has expressed concern over a lack of understanding of contractors’ decisions. “To simply report that semi-automatics are banned is incomplete, and does not help with understanding the issues” said Mr Minton. “Some principal contractors have laid down their own technical criteria which they expect quick hitches to meet. This may mean they will not accept many types of quick hitch, including some fully-automatic hitches. Their supply chain partners should confirm with the principal contractor what is acceptable on their sites.”
The panel is working on Best Practice Guidance, which will be available later this year. In the interim, it has issued the following eight steps that contractors, plant owners and other duty holders should be taking now. The precautions are applicable to all types of quick hitch – manual, semi automatic, and all fully automatic types.
1. Check that your machines are in good order, and that all quick hitches are included in the maintenance plan and subject to proper maintenance.
2. Check that your operators have specific instructions for the combination of machine, quick hitch and attachment. Your maintenance team needs proper information as well.
3. Check that your operators are competent to use the quick hitch in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, whatever make and model it is.
4. Motivate your operators, using disciplinary procedures where appropriate, to use all quick hitches safely. Forbid practices such as “pick and place” (moving attachments without properly engaging the locking devices).
5. Ensure that all operators confirm that the quick hitch is properly engaged every time they change an attachment. With many quick hitches it is essential that this is done by close inspection at the quick hitch – it is best practice to make this a requirement for all quick hitches.
6. Check that your site supervisors understand what the operator has to do.
7. Ensure your site supervisors to allow operators time to do it, and monitor they are doing it by spot checks.
8. Ensure your site supervisors keep other workers away from the machine’s working range. Never work under the bucket or attachment.
So, once again, the demolition sector leads where the construction industry might one day follow. It’s a familiar trend, isn’t it?
