CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2020 25 construction plant were ‘trapped’ on locked- down sites where they were shut down abruptly, particularly larger or static items of plant. These may not have been sufficiently prepared for extended non-operational periods. Most modern plant is reliable and can cope with extended periods without requiring actions by a maintenance team, however a period of non-use can have small but noticeable effects when placing plant back into service after an extended period. The guidance outlines the importance for both safety and machine efficiency that the operator or maintenance team undertake an enhanced pre-operational check and basic maintenance regime in addition to the normal daily pre-use checks specified by the manufacturer. The guidance focusses on the primary areas of machine components that require checks over and above normal manufacturer- derived pre-operational activities and are applicable for common mobile and static-type plant. The main message is that for most plant, normal but enhanced checks - which are predominately visual - should be carried out prior to operation and that employers and supervisors should allow sufficient time for operators and/or maintenance teams to carry them out, ensuring the machine’s safety and productivity and minimising future issues and breakdowns. The guidance consists of four pages and is divided into two parts - pre-start checks and running checks and identifys key areas such as water accumulation on the fuel tanks, particularly as they would probably not have been refilled prior to lockdown and battery condition may have suffered through non-regular charging. The guidance also suggests that as external components that rely on lubrication may have dried out, that this is a good opportunity to re-grease and re-lubricate these components. On starting up, the guidance advises operators to allow the engine to idle for a while to allow system flows and pressures reach normal parameters and cycle all services under no load conditions followed by, for mobile plant, travelling at low speed to check transmission, braking and steering system functions. It is not intended to apply to all plant types but provides an overview of what should be taken into account when re-instating plant left for an extended period due to site shutdown or restrictions. It further reinforces that compliance needs to be maintained at all times with relevant regulations such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Equipment and Lifting Operations Regulations 1998 (LOLER). A two page check list highlighting key areas to be checked and accompanies the guidance publication which can be used in addition to normal organisational or manufacturer’s daily checklists. The guidance can be downloaded free of charge from the CPA website at www.cpa.uk.net/news-events/ guidanceenhancedpre-operationalchecks/ Other Publications New Technical Information Note - TIN 052 on the Lifting of IBCs The Tower Crane Interest Group (TCIG) has released a technical information note (TIN 052) on the lifting of intermediate bulk containers (IBC). The TIN states that IBCs (also known as IBC tanks, IBC tote tanks or pallet tanks) are increasingly being used for the delivery of liquids, hazardous and non- hazardous, to and from construction sites. The lifting of IBCs by cranes can be hazardous as the fluid within the container may move, as the load is lifted, and change the centre of gravity of the load. The TCIG states that if the IBC is not connected to crane in a safe manner, the IBC may fall. The risk can be reduced by following safe slinging techniques and applying caution especially when lifting partially filled IBCs where the risk of fluid movement is heightened. The TIN contains information on the types of IBC, the precautions that should be taken when lifting them and how they should be and shouldn’t be lifted. TIN 052 can be downloaded free of charge from www.cpa.uk.net/tower-crane- interest-group-tcig-publications/ Update CPA Safety Publications Catalogue The CPA has released the latest safety publications catalogue for the period 2020. This provides an overview of all publications produced by the CPA and special interest groups, as well as the plant safety group publications that are available on the CPA website. The catalogue can be downloaded from www.cpa.uk.net/ safetytechnicalpublications/ SAFETY PUBLICATION CATALOGUE 2020/21 4148_KINCPASafetyPubs 2020 cover_c.indd 3 07/04/2020 15:50 TECHNICAL: 2