Hire and Rental News - November 2018

14 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • NOVEMBER 2018 INDUSTRY in FOCUS randon Gilbert, Senior Team Leader at Coates Hire Brisbane Customer Support Centre presented the new Coates Hire load/unload processes and procedures at the Queensland HRIA meeting in August. “Loading and unloading is recognised as our most hazardous activity,” Brandon said. “Our new procedures will help us work towards zero harm and safety first for all staff involved in transport load/unload.” The Transport Loading & Unloading procedural review focuses on safe zones (loading/unloading exclusion zones) and Transport JSEA (Job Safety Environment Analysis). Loading and unloading is one of the significant safety issues confronting all levels of industries within the supply chain. The new requirements operate around principle based procedures; Three Principles and Four ‘Non Negotiable’ Rules to provide the Procedure and Process Coates Hire utilises today, Brandon said. Designated Safe Zones and exclusion zones have been identified in all Coates Hire depots using a physical barrier to delineate the exclusion and safe zones. There are clear processes and procedures and exclusion zones for load and unload of different equipment and vehicle types including tilt tray and low loaders and forklift and crane load unload. Designated load unload exclusion zones for tilt tray and low loaders are segregated by a physical barrier (eg: concrete, steel, water filled, T-Top bollards with chains, retractable rope/ chain) to prevent inadvertent pedestrian access. Spotters are required to stand in the Safe Zone areas and move within the Safe Zone with the load. Additionally, staff are now trained to ensure personnel are clear of loading ramp ‘swing arc’ area both during lowering or raising and when the load is raised but not secured. The following principles are the basis for the new Coates Hire procedure: 1. Forklifts and other loading/unloading equipment needs to be segregated Reinforcing procedural change around Transport Loading & Unloading Coates Hire has rolled out new procedures and processes on Transport Loading & Unloading after recognising transport as Coates Hire’s most hazardous activity. Launched 12 months ago, the new processes and procedures focus on ensuring staff safety and include training for all staff involved in transporting equipment and goods utilising a specially made video resource featuring Motor Racing Professional, Neil Crompton. The company is also reinforcing the message as a vital part of the procedural change. Continued on p16...