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In a world first, the Telescopic
Handler Association of Australia
(TSHA) has been formed to manage
all aspects of the versatile telescopic
handler and address market confusion
about compliance and safety.
Officially convened in December
2011, the TSHA, a separate division
of the Elevating Work Platform
Association (EWPA), has now set its mission statement,
parameters of operation and jurisdiction and has elected its
first executive and operating committees.
The inaugural President of the TSHA, Stuart Walker,
Managing Director at Manitou Australia, officially elected in
December said: “Major telehandler manufacturers, including
Manitou, Dieci, Genie, Haulotte, JLG, and Merlo have played
an important role in the establishment of the TSHA.
“As the use of Telescopic Handlers gained acceptance in the
Australia and Pacific region it became clear an industry body
was required to act as a conduit for information on the safe
use of telescopic handlers.
“Because telehandlers are such versatile tools, it is vital
end users are educated in their safe and efficient use and it is
equally important the industry monitors safety standards.”
Objectives of the TSHA include:
• To be the principle reference for lifting and materials
World first Telescopic Handler Association
handling in Australia.
• To gain recognition and educate Australian industry
in the safe and effective use of the telescopic handler
concept.
• To provide tools to develop and educate industry in
the safe and effective use of the telescopic handler in
the interests of improving safety and productivity.
• To be the resource for industry, construction
and agricultural industries in the safe use and
maintenance of telescopic handlers in Australia.
• To represent member interests in the pursuit of a self-regulated, safe
and unified telescopic handler industry in Australia.
“The TSHA has been working to educate potential buyers of their
obligations under Australian Standards, AS1418.19 and AS2550.19
which pertain to telehandlers.
“Much of the market’s confusion stemmed from the different
technologies being utilised to achieve compliance with the Standards,
and also from the different compliance requirements for the various
attachments that can be fitted to a telehandler,” Mr Walker said.
“In the end, the Australian Standard for telehandlers recognised
when there is a requirement for a crane application on a telehandler,
crane standards needed to be incorporated.”
A new TSHA website has been launched featuring public domain
access. This site provides current information on telehandlers as well as
recent meeting notes from the TSHA.
Contact the TSHA: 1800 015 166 or visit: www.tsha.com.au
HR
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28/4/11 7:49:15 AM
56 | ACCESS
in
ACTION | MAY 2012
ACCESS in ACTION
a client for 80 days but the client wants the plant for a total of six
months, that if we went and took the plant back into our own yard
for servicing and then returned it to the client the hire period would
be altered and the 90 days grace period would begin again.
“What we’re trying to determine is if we take back control of the
equipment at our own premises, do we gain control of the asset once
more? And thereby reset the 90 days grace period again?
“The issue of rehire is another matter entirely. Say for example,
Access Hire hires equipment from Coates Hire to be rehired to one of
our customers.
“Coates then secures its asset against Access Hire but the difficulty
arises if I don’t secure the asset against my customer when it goes out
on hire, then any liquidator which might be brought in can take the
asset from me. This could be a real issue for the hire industry.
“One of the major hire companies I have been talking to has
decided to no longer offer the option of rehire to smaller hire
companies because the security interests can’t be protected.
“This change in legislation could very well have serious repercussions
and an effect on how helpful our industry is to one another. I must
admit, I’m nervous about hiring to smaller hire companies myself.
“Currently we are all pedaling really hard to try not to get burnt.
“For access hire companies the value of our assets is quite high.
There is probably less exposure for general hire businesses. The
smallest asset we have is about $15,000.
“And so, while we all struggle on trying to determine the best
course of action, it seems the casual nature of hires in the rental
industry may not have been fully considered in this legislation.”
HR
‘The PPSA and the access hire industry’
continued from p54