12 | HIRE
AND
RENTAL
NEWS
| FEBRUARY 2014
INDUSTRY IN FOCUS
Flexihire embarked on a risk assessment
program in 2010 as a result of an
enforceable undertaking under Workplace
Health & Safety legislation. The risk
assessment program identified a number
of high risk areas within the transport
operations of the business.
The risk assessments identified risks
associated with rental fleet (plant
and equipment) transport operations,
including:
Stored energy in load restraining devices
such as binders and chains
Lack of understanding on how to
achieve load restraint
Lack of training with regard to
driver behaviour, pre-tensioning device
application and use of tilt tray trucks
According to Chris Moyes, General
Manager, Flexihire, the assessment
identified a lot of Flexihire drivers held the
view that, so long as the chains are tight
Transport load restraint - a case study
then the load would not be able to move.
“The reality is most chain tensioning
devices can achieve pre-tension of 1000kg
which in most cases is well below the limits
of the chains.
“In line with risk control principles from
the Code of practice ‘How to Manage
Work Health & Safety Risks’, of Eliminate,
Substitute, Isolate, Engineering Controls,
Administrative Controls and PPE, various
changes and initiatives were implemented.
Stored Energy
“Almost all heavy plant and equipment
is restrained during transport using chains
and pre-tensioning devices (or restraint
devices). Stored energy is the amount
of energy stored within these restraint
devices. During transport, loads can shift
and cause the stored energy to increase
dramatically. In addition, loose chains that
are suddenly applied with force when
unloading equipment, via shifting loads
or hydraulics, can quickly shift the energy
from a tensioned chain to a loose chain.
“To address these issues, Flexihire
implemented the following solutions:
• Training on how to use pre-tensioning
devices is critical
• Removal of single acting over-centre
load binders (commonly known as
‘dogs’) due to the often violent releases
of energy
• Removal of the hydraulic ability to lower
low loader loading ramps to a system
that uses a slow release of oil pressure
rather than hydraulic lowering which
can cause loose chains to whip
• General awareness training of stored
energy in chains.”
Load Restraint
“Achieving load restraint is critical when
transporting heavy items of plant and
Following a risk assessment program as part of a workplace health and safety legislative change, Queensland based industrial equipment hire
company Flexihire identified a number of high risk areas within its transport operations. Apart from a series of operational changes, Flexihire also
identified the need to develop an easy to use guide or calculator that drivers could use. Flexihire drivers have found the calculator so useful the
company is now making it available to the rest of the industry.
GOLD COAST CONVENTION
AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
29
APRIL-
2
MAY
‘14
From mid-2014 a new engine
family will extend the HATZ product
portfolio: The H-series.
Starting with the 4H50TIC
water-cooled 4-cylinder model,
HATZ is relying on common-rail
technology, turbocharger and
external exhaust gas recirculation
with the new generation.
The new HATZ 4H50TIC excels
concerning its compact size,
lightweight & robust design. Setting
new standards in the performance
class up to 56 kW.
A ground-breaking downsizing
approach was adopted in the
development of the 4H50TIC.
This engine has a large variety of
industrial application usages, such
as woodchippers, generators, water
pumpsets, hydraulic powerpacks,
compressor powerpacks and
construction equipment.
This engine will be on display
for the first time in Australia on
stand
84/93.
A new generation of water-cooled & turbo
charged German-made HATZ diesel engines
Exhibitor
sneak peak
Fresh range of products for Hoppt brand launch
Contact:
Peter Evans
0412 64 64 63
Hoppt Australia is proud
to be exhibiting for the first
time at HIRE 14.
As a new supplier to the
industry, presenting an
exciting fresh range of
products, we are looking
forward to a fantastic
launch. While our brand and
product may be new some
of our faces will be familiar.
On display will be a
range of concrete and
compaction equipment
including our new plate
compactor designed
specifically for pavers, both
forward and reversible
plates, walk behind rollers
plus much more.
Come and visit our stand
70 & 71 to
check out
our quality
products
that are
now
available.
Contact:
1300 796 900
