| Accessing the top of an explosives truck |
A risk assessment on a new explosives truck identified several safety issues. The safety handrails located on the top of the vehicle had to be manually locked into position. Safety concerns included climbing a vertical ladder which had no fall protection, working at height and manual handling, In addition, the storage hoppers a did not have a safety grid, allowing inadvertent entry into a confined space.
In response, the site fitting supervisor adapted the truck in various ways:
1. collapsible handrails were installed, which are operated using the vehicle’s hydraulic system. By adding a separate valve and hydraulic ram, the handrails can be positioned and locked into place automatically.
2. A fixed hoop with two further collapsible hoops were attached to the vertical ladder. They operate from the powered system used for the handrails.
3. Grids now cover the storage hoppers. During filling, the discharge auger has to be swung away, thereby removing any fall protection on the opposite side of the vehicle. A running rail for the attachment of a safety harness with short lanyard provides fall protection during this operation.
These added features are now fitted as standard by the vehicle suppliers.
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