Hire and Rental News - February 2019

gadgetry; setting corporate strategy and improving operational performance; attracting young people into hire; and leading roles for women in hire and how businesses can boost female career progression. n Visit: www.hae.org.uk Safety alert issued for tailgate lifters and loading ramps on vehicles and trailers WorkSafe Victoria issued a safety alert late last year following serious crush injuries in workplace incidents involving the uncontrolled fall of hydraulically operated loading ramps and tailgate lifters. I n the alert WorkSafe Victoria identified the safety risks and outlined ways to prevent injuries, as reported below. “Loading ramps are generally used to help load wheeled or tracked mobile plant onto and off vehicles or trailers. Tailgate lifters are fitted to a wide range of vehicles to help load and unload goods from the vehicle. These ramps and tailgates are heavy and therefore hydraulic systems are often fitted to the vehicle or trailer to raise and lower them. But if these systems are not designed, installed, operated and maintained correctly, employees can be seriously injured from being struck by the falling ramp or tailgate,” the alert said. Ways to prevent injuries “Duty holders must provide or maintain plant or systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health. Some ways to minimise the risk of an uncontrolled fall of ramps or tailgates include: • using burst protection (load holding) valves in the hydraulic system to prevent an uncontrolled fall of the ramp or tailgate if there is a hydraulic pressure failure; • using double-acting hydraulic cylinders to eliminate the need to apply additional external force; • ensuring controls are positioned so that they are clear of the ramp or tailgate’s movement area, including any potential crushing zone; • providing constant pressure type or hold to run controls to ensure the operator is located out of the potential crushing zone • if remote controls are used, ensuring the operator does not enter the potential crushing zone of the ramp or tailgate; • using positive mechanical devices, such as bolts or ratchet devices, to secure the ramp / tailgate in the raised position and ensure the operator accesses the devices from the side of the vehicle / trailer; • ensuring no-one enters the potential crushing zone of the ramp or tailgate unless it is fully lowered to the floor or has been mechanically secured in the raised position; • regularly inspecting and maintaining the ramp or tailgate and associated equipment; • providing adequate information, instruction, training and/or supervision to persons operating or maintaining the ramp, tailgate or the associated hydraulic system; • ensuring procedures are in place to manage the repair in the event of ramp, tailgate or hydraulic failure or malfunction. Forklift trucks should not be used as a makeshift hydraulic system to raise the ramp or tailgate as this could increase the stored energy and pose a risk to people in the vicinity.” n Visit: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety- alerts/tailgate-lifters-and-loading- ramps-vehicles-and-trailers Mental health in the spotlight Mental health in the workplace hit the spotlight at the annual HAE EHA conference in the UK late last year, when attendees were given opportunity to assess and improve their strategies for dealing with mental health issues. T he HAE EHA said it is estimated mental health problems blight one in four of the UK population (UK based www.hse. gov.uk/stress/mental-health.htm ), a figure replicated last year in the construction industry according to a survey by Construction News’ magazine’s Mind Matters campaign, which also revealed this figure rose to one in three among junior members of staff and graduates. Measures companies can take to spot the warning signs of mental illness and how to support their employees were the focus of talks while a platform for initiatives like mental health first aid (MHFA) England and Building Mental Health, which provide free resources to construction companies so they can help and give guidance to employees suffering from mental illness, were shared. The conference also spotlighted: insight into dyslexia in the workplace and what employers can do to help those with this common learning difficulty; uncluttering the mind through reduced use of electronic Mental health in the workplace hit the spotlight at the annual HAE EHA conference Modern Awards Update From 1 October 2018, 85 additional modern awards now include a new casual conversion clause. Employers, who operate under an affected modern award must be aware of their rights and obligations with respect to the new model casual conversion clause. To see more details about the casual conversion clause and an updated HRIA Award Summary document, visit the HRNet page in the member area of the HRIA website. n HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS FEBRUARY 2019 P9 INDUSTRY NEWS