Method Statement
For Loading & Unloading of Portable Accommodation
COLLECTION/DELIVERY
On arrival at site and following identification to the Site Agent:-
- Check that the unit is free of all services and suitable to be lifted.
- Ensure that the capacity of the Hiab is sufficient to lift the unit from its location to the vehicle.
- Position vehicle and extend outriggers, ensuring that there is adequate ground bearing capacity with no overhead obstructions.
- The Hiab arm will be unfolded and lifting chains/slings attached to the hook.
- The hook is then positioned above the unit and chains attached (usually via shackles to the unit) This will be carried out from a ladder placed at each corner, so that the operator/slinger will not be required to climb on top of the unit.
- The unit will be lifted from its location and positioned on the vehicle.
SAFETY POLICY
The company provides specialist transport incorporating lorry mounted cranes, primarily to the construction industry and recognises the need for good working practices in all areas within its jurisdiction in order to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of its employees and all other persons coming into contact with its operations.
Furthermore it is company policy to enhance safe working practice by a continued programme of investment in new equipment, and the training of our operators, thus ensuring that when we arrive on site, our operators and the equipment will be working well within their respective capabilities, whatever conditions they encounter.
When using sub contractors, they will have been selected under the company’s quality assurance scheme and their record for safety and safe working practices will have been taken into account in their grading.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT
The Companies activities are unlikely to create any environmental risks during normal operations, other than exhaust emissions. However these will be kept to a minimum by regular servicing.
Our vehicle replacement programme means that most current vehicles are fitted with engines that comply with Euro 2 specification. Future replacement vehicles will have engines which comply with Euro 3 specification.
All vehicles have upturned exhaust systems, to ensure that while on site exhaust emissions are projected upwards, and that dust is not blown up during dry conditions.
COMPANY PRACTICE WHEN OPERATING AS CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR
This situation arises when the company is engaged to carry out the lifting and transportation of portable cabins and portable accommodation, cabins, containers, building materials or plant and machinery directly by a Principal Contractor or Subcontractors control.
The need for sound working practices is addressed as follows:-
TRAINING
All company driver/operators will be trained, competent and experienced in all aspects of driving, loading and operating the vehicle and its equipment. It is company policy that new driver/operators will work with an experienced driver/operator until such time as they are confident and considered to have gained sufficient experience of site situations and conditions to ensure the safety of him and other site personnel.
The driver /operator will be trained in the use of truck mounted cranes to CITB or ALLMI standards. He will carry a current certificate of competence which will be available for inspection by site staff.
Training is continually reviewed and updated.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Due to the nature of the work where vehicles are travelling from site to site, it is not practical for principal staff to determine individual site risks, therefore in most cases this will be undertaken by the driver/operator when he arrives on site. The main risks are identified and addressed as follows:-
1) Manoeuvring & Reversing Vehicles on Site.
It is Company policy that vehicles will not reverse on site without assistance where practical. On larger sites contractors will be expected to assist where a vehicle is to be reversed. The vehicles are fitted with reversing bleepers.
2) Operation of Equipment
The driver/Operator will be qualified and experienced in the use of the equipment and will work within the guide lines of our standard method of operation, whilst taking account of individual site conditions. A copy of our standard method of operation is incorporated within this document. He will be responsible for the safety of any site staff that may be engaged to assist him, they should ensure that they adhere to and understand his instructions.
3) Personal Protective Equipment.
The driver/operator will be provided with all the relevant equipment, as required by the Pep equipment at work act 1992.
4) Working at Height
The contractor will be expected to provide a suitable ladder where access to double stacked cabins is required and should ensure it is in a safe condition and used safely as laid down. When two vehicles and driver/operators are on the same job, they will happily assist each other to stack or de-stack cabins but we will expect assistance where only one driver/operator is on site.
5) Maintenance of Equipment
The vehicles and their equipment are inspected and maintained every eight weeks by our own staff, records of which are held at our offices.
6) Inspections of Equipment
Six monthly inspections and examinations of the equipment will be carried out by a suitable engineering company which will be appointed by our insurance company. Records of which will be held at our offices.
The crane will be tested and re-calibrated every 4 years, as required by the factories act 1961. Records of which will be held at our offices.
7) Lifting Tackle
All lifting chains, slings or stops will be inspected by our staff every six weeks and further inspections carried out by suitable engineers appointed by our insurance company every six months, records of which including the original test certificate are held at our offices, with copies available on the vehicle.
8) Towing Equipment
Tow-bars, securing pins and retaining clips will be inspected and maintained by our staff every six weeks. Records of which will be held at our offices.
9) Reporting of Defects
Driver/operators are issued with defect books, to draw attention to problems not found during normal servicing & inspections. Mr.Les Lockyer and Mr. Tony Arnold are responsible for ensuring that defects are rectified.
STANDARD METHOD OF OPERATION
Although the driver/operator will work to the standard method of operation below, he will also take into account the site location, conditions, weather and the safety of the public before commencing work.
SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC
When the operation takes place in a situation where the public have access to the working area or the site on an open road, it will be the Principal Contractors responsibility to ensure the site is secure and that the public are safe whilst the work proceeds.
In a situation where the driver/operator is working on his own he will take reasonable carte to secure the site using cones or tape to create a temporary barrier and ensuring the safe passage of the public past his vehicles whenever possible.
1) Driver/operator will always ensure vehicle is parked on firm level ground and hand brake is applied before attempting operation of lifting appliance.
2) Driver/operator will ensure stabilising legs are fully extended and feet are lowered to stabilise vehicle. Using timber supports under feet if ground conditions require extra support and if requested.
3) Driver/operator will then unfold the crane cautiously, looking for any overhead obstructions. i.e. cables etc.
4) Driver/operator will then select the appropriate lifting tackle (i.e. chains or webbed slings) for the job in hand.
5) Drivers/operator will then position crane over the central lifting point of the load and connect the lifting tackle to the appropriate securing points, using a suitable ladder if required. In addition, guide lines can be secured to give more control over the load, if necessary. Site staff to assist if required.
6) After securing changes/slings the driver/operator will take the strain of the load, checking the securing positions on the load and hook position on the crane and the continued stability of the vehicle.
7) The load will continue to be lifted in a safer manner, if the driver/operator is satisfied with the lifting operation.
8) If the load is to be placed down without moving the vehicle then the above procedure will be reversed, ensuring the ground is suitable to take the load.
9) If the load is to be transported on the lorry/moved across site, the driver will position the load on the lorry and secure accordingly.
10) After carrying out the work required, the driver/operator will fold the lorry loader away into its travelling position and stow any other equipment away. Finally walking around the vehicle to ensure everything is stowed and the stabilising legs are locked and secured before moving off.
Loading / Unloading of Mechanical Plant
When loading or unloading on the side of a road where practical, the driver/operator should take particular care to select safe and level location, ensuring maximum visibility to passing traffic. Flashing beacons should be switched on at all times. Where relevant, due care should be taken to ensure the safety of the public. It is Company practice when loading mechanical plant that the driver/operator will be responsible /conversant with the operation of the equipment he is loading. Each individual item of plant must be secured as son as it is loaded, with each subsequent item secured in the same way.
Further checks should be made to ensure that loose items or ancillary equipment attached to main item of plant are secure or removed and stowed safely. Towed plant should be secured with safety chains.
Abnormal Loads
It is company policy to ensure that Abnormal Loads are made clearly visible by using markers and beacons wherever appropriate.
Security of Loads
The Company recognises the need for ensuring total security of any type of load while on its vehicles to maintain the safety of the driver/operator, site staff or members of the public, whether on site or on the public highway. The driver operator will ensure that every vehicle and every trailer together with all parts and accessories and the load carried, must at all times be in such a condition that no danger or nuisance is caused, or is likely to be caused, to any person on the vehicle, the trailer or the road. Loads must be made secure i.e. loose loads sheeted and all loads physically restrained other than by their own weight, if necessary to ensure against any part of the load falling or being blown from the vehicle.
Updated January 2010.
