Definitive guide to telehandler safety

BITA members JCB, JLG and Merlo contribute to new definitive best-practice guidance


THE Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group has published a definitive new best-practice document entitled: ‘Safe Use of Telehandlers in Construction’.

Telehandlers are among the most versatile pieces of material-handling equipment and contribute significantly to the efficiency of many sites and construction processes. However, the versatility that makes them so useful also increases the risk of unsafe operations, which has led to a significant number of serious telehandler accidents, including some fatalities.

Launched at the Executive Hire Show in February and intended to help operators reduce their risks of accident and injury, the new guidance document includes expert contributions from British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) members and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and can be freely downloaded from the BITA and Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) websites at www.bita.org.uk and www.cpa.uk.net respectively.

Providing clarity on the safe use of telehandlers, including planning, the role of personnel, training and familiarization of personnel, safe use, maintenance, inspection and examination etc, the new guidance is said to be straightforward, comprehensive and easy to adopt.

Bob Hine, technical consultant to BITA, said: ‘We’re delighted that BITA members JCB, JLG and Merlo were able to have such full participation in the preparation of this definitive guide to the safe operation of telehandlers. The new document complements the pocket-sized BITA safety booklet ‘Operator’s Safety Code for Rough Terrain Lift Trucks’ (the ‘red book’) offered via the BITA website.’