Interlock Clarification  May 29, 2003 (continued )
The Association said that the current situation is that whilst being aware of the desire for stabiliser interlocks to be incorporated, no manufacturer is able to offer a suitable system that can be applied to all available lorry loader models in their respective ranges. "At present, manufacturers may meet the specific requirements of some individual customers, using bespoke systems after discussion to consider the problems involved. Any modification to a CE marked machine should only be undertaken with the written approval of the manufacturer and the details recorded in the crane technical file."

ALLMI also said that it believes the safe operation of lorry loaders to be paramount, while its members should be committed to this principal. With regard to stabiliser leg interlocks, the technical problems have not yet been overcome but work continues with a view to introduction and incorporation by 2006.

The Supply of the Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992, Statutory Instrument No. 3073, is the implementation of the European Machinery Directive into UK Law,?ALLMI continued. EN12999 is the European Standard for Loader Cranes and as a harmonised standard Presumption of Conformity with the European Machinery Directive. There is no requirement in EN12999 for stabiliser locks to be fitted to loader cranes. It therefore follows that there is no requirement in the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations for stabiliser interlocks to be fitted.?
The present situation with regard to Stabiliser Interlocks (SI) for lorry loaders is that they are not mandatory. By definition, a SI comprises a device that would prevent a lorry loader being operated unless the extendable stabilisers are fully extended and secure. Whilst one or two loader manufacturers presently offer such a device, this is usually to meet a specific customer requirement on a specific model and not across its whole range.
It is a requirement of the Machinery Directive in Preliminary Observation No 2 that suppliers must take into account ‘State of the Art’. ‘State of the Art’ as defined by CEN is the developed state of technical possibilities at a given time relating to products, processes and services as based on scientific knowledge and experience’.
Subsequent to the action of the HSE in issuing statements to the effect, SIs were mandatory, a 2002 in Finland where European lorry loader manufacturers, the HSE and ALIMI were represented. It was recognised that, at present, manufacturers fully comply with the requirements in EN12999 through the Machinery Directive in that their machines are ‘State of the Art’ with respect to SIs.
It was agreed that manufacturers would work towards introducing a practical system of SIs, but that any such industry introduction was unlikely before 2006.
At this time, VOSA, who are responsible for inspecting vehicles for compliance with ‘The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations’, is making the installation and satisfactory operation of stabiliser leg locking devices subject to examination at any inspection. These are purely simple locking catches to prevent the stabiliser leg support beam from extending sideways uncontrolled.

No Responsibility accepted for the accuracy of any articles found on this site.   Reproduced from cranes & access December issue 04

HSE press release E020:03 - 14 February 2003

HSE REACHES AGREEMENT ON IMPORTANCE OF INTERLOCK SYSTEMS FOR NEW LORRY LOADER CRANES

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in consultation with major manufacturers and the European Standing Committee (Working Group) on the Machinery Directive, has agreed that interlocks for new lorry loader cranes need to be developed as a matter of urgency to comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (SMSR).

Manufacturers have agreed to pursue the development of suitable and reliable interlock systems (or an equivalent engineering solution) to be commercially available by 2006 that can be applied to all new models of lorry loader. When the development and availability of these devices is sufficiently advanced HSE will propose a revision to EN12999, the European Standard for cranes and loader cranes, via British Standards Institution (BSI) and European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) technical committees.

In the meantime, HSE advises that employers should ensure that interlocks (or an equivalent engineering solution) are fitted where practicable for their machinery and delivery needs. Any modifications or additions to existing machines should only be carried out with specific approval of the manufacturer or their authorized representative. Employers must also make certain operators of lorry loader cranes are properly trained in all aspects of the operation of a lorry loader. A policy dealing with the delivery of loads and agreed actions to be taken in the event that a lorry loader cannot deliver its load in safety i.e. if both sets of stabilisers cannot be deployed according to the manufacturers’ instructions, must also be in place.

An interlocking system prevents a lorry loader from being used unless its legs are properly deployed. HSE has recognised that lorry loaders fitted to lorries used for raw timber transport in the forestry industry have particular operational problems and are excluded from the scope of the update.

Notes to editors

1. The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (as amended) implement the European Machinery Directive (98/37/EC) in the UK. The Regulations require that manufacturers of machinery ensure that their products are safe and address the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) set out in the Directive within the ‘state of the art’ (technology that is commercially available at the time of manufacture).

2. A Working Group to the European Standing Committee of the Machinery Directive deals with the implementation and practical application of the Directive. It consists of representatives from all the Member States plus interested parties including standards making bodies, social partners and notified bodies.

3. European Standards are developed as guidance to help manufacturers, etc. comply with the law. They provide detailed information on how to address a range of hazards and risks that particular types of machinery may present. Machinery manufactured in accordance with harmonized European Standards, enjoy a presumption of conformity with those EHSRs of the Directive covered by Standard. However, it is only after a Standard has been agreed and a reference to it published in the Official Journal of the European Communities that the manufacturer can claim conformity.

4. Standard EN12999 Cranes – Loader Cranes was ratified by CEN on 8 March 2001 and mandated on 18 September 2002. The present text of EN12999 does not require the safety devices discussed in this press notice. HSE is taking steps to agree an amendment to the standard to address this. HSE has put forward a proposal to BSI to include an additional clause for a requirement to fit interlocks in the ISO Standard for Loader Cranes. BSI has forwarded the proposal to the ISO/TC 96/SC 6 Working Group.

5. CEN is the European standards organisation who promote voluntary technical harmonisation in Europe in conjunction with worldwide bodies and its European partners. Harmonised standards are adopted in accordance with general guidelines agreed between CEN and the European Commission, signed on 13 November 1984. Harmonised standards are technical specifications, which give a presumption of conformity with Directives.

6. EN (European Normale) is the prefix given to a European Standard. Once CEN have ratified a Standard, it is given the prefix EN. The national standards bodies in each member state then transpose these Standards. BSI transposes ENs in the UK and gives them the prefix BS EN.

7. Where Member States find machines that, in their opinion, are liable to endanger safety, they are required to take all appropriate measures to address this, including notifying the European Commission. HSE is taking this action on this issue.

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701 545500, or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

PRESS ENQUIRIES relating to this press release: Journalists only: 020 7717 6016

HSE Press Release - E155:01 - 31 August 2001
Lorry loader cranes - HSE issues a safety warning

New lorry loader cranes must be fitted with an interlocking system (or equivalent engineering solution) to prevent the crane operating without stabilisers being deployed, warns the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This is to comply with The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992.

The warning follows 12 incidents over the last five years. Tragically, this includes one fatality.

Lorry loader cranes rely on the lorry chassis for support and are often powered from the lorry engine. The cranes have stabilisers that need to be deployed to deal with the risks from overturning when lifting heavy loads, particularly at the limits of the crane's reach. Interlocking systems or equivalent engineering solutions will prevent the cranes from being used, unless the stabilisers are deployed or reduce the cranes lifting capacity if the stabilisers are down, but not extended.

In order to deal with this risk, HSE has been meeting with the Association of Lorry Loaders Manufacturers and Importers (ALLMI) to find a solution to this problem. HSE has made it clear to ALLMI that new lorry loader cranes must be fitted with a suitable safety device to deal with the risks of overturning.

Interlocks that prevent cranes from being used unless the unit is effectively stabilised have been available as optional extras from manufacturers for several years, and a number of big employers have already fitted these devices to their lorry loader fleets.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (as amended) implement the European Machinery Directive (98/37/EC) in the UK. The Regulations require that manufacturers of machinery ensure that their products are safe and address the essential health and safety requirements (EHSRs) set out in the Regulations within the 'state of the art'. This means, the developed state of technical possibilities at the time the machine is manufactured. Guidance on this is set out in harmonised European standards. HSE believes that EHSR 1.3.1, which addresses stability, has not been adequately satisfied for lorry loader cranes.

2. European standards are developed as voluntary guidance to help manufacturers, etc. comply with the law, as they provide detailed information on how to address the wide range of hazards and risks that particular types of machinery may present. Machinery manufactured in accordance with harmonised European standards, can enjoy a presumption of conformity with the requirements of the Directive. However, it is only after a standard has been agreed and a reference to it published in the Official Journal of the European Communities that the manufacturer can claim conformity. This is not the case with standards in draft format eg prEN12999 Cranes – Loader Cranes.

3. Lorry loaders are not covered by harmonised European standards. However, a standard (prEN12999) is in the process of negotiation. The present draft does not require the safety devices discussed in the press release to be fitted. HSE is taking steps to agree an amendment to this draft to address this.

4. Where Member States find machines that do not comply with the Machinery Directive and are liable to endanger safety, they are required to take all appropriate measures to address this, including notifying the European Commission. HSE will take this action if necessary.

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701-545500
or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

Published on the HSE web site on 4 September 2001

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