Incident alert
ACTIVITY:
TRANSPORT / DELIVERY
DATE ISSUED:
11/03/2015 11:45:39
TITLE
Runaway Chipper Trailer
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
United Kingdom
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT DETAILS
A chipper trailer ran out of control 60m down a gradient after it had been parked at the side of a road by the streetmaster operator.
The incident was captured on CCTV which was fitted to a local business, and the streetmaster operator was observed applying the park brake and putting a chock beneath the near side front axle wheel.
• The gradient was estimated to be 1:15.
• The streetmaster operator was observed on the CCTV raising the front of the trailer using the jockey wheel, so he could uncouple it from the towing hitch.
• The operator was also seen applying the park brake and putting a chock beneath the front nearside axle after recognising the trailer was parked on a hill.
•The chipper trailer had three axles, and the brakes were fitted to the wheels on the front axle only.
• After being parked for 50 seconds (unattended), the chipper began to roll down the hill, picking up speed.
• After travelling a distance of 50m the trailer mounted the footpath and struck the rear end of a vehicle, which had been parked by a local resident, causing substantial damage.
• The streetmaster operator was given a ‘with cause’ drug & alcohol test immediately following the incident and was found to be negative.
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
Click image to enlarge
Park brake position after incident
Click image to enlarge
Chock placed under nearside wheel
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
•Trailers must be parked on level ground where practicable.
•When uncoupling the trailer from the towing hitch:
- The jockey wheel should be lowered ensuring all wheels are in contact with the surface of the road.
- The park brake must be applied.
- Chocks should be placed beneath the wheels on both sides of the axle.
- The stabilising legs should be lowered to the ground.
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
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