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Lifter Borer Boom Failure – Workplace Health
and Safety Queensland
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has
issued a safety alert to highlight the importance of regular maintenance
and inspection of lifter borers and the need to follow the manufacturers
operating instructions.
Lifter borers, used extensively in the power supply industry, can be
exposed to severe loading as they install and remove power poles.
In early 2016, a lifter borer boom that was nearly 20 years old broke
off close to its pivot point as the machine was attempting to pull a
pole out of the ground. Due to the location of the operator’s seat, had
the boom dropped, the operator could have been seriously injured or
killed.
A preliminary investigation indicated the following factors contributed
to the incident:
The Queensland regulator says it is critical
that all lifter borers are adequately maintained and inspected in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
A number of lifter borer manufacturers specify that a major strip-down
inspection be carried out at least once every 10 years. This is
consistent with the information provided in the Mobile Crane Code of
Practice for major inspections on mobile cranes, which can be accessed
from
www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.
The annual crane inspection must be carried out by a competent person
who can demonstrate they have adequate training, knowledge and
experience to carry out the task.
While the competent person does not have to be independent, engaging an
independent competent person who is not involved in maintenance of the
crane is consistent with the Australian Standard, AS 2550 Cranes – Safe
Use.
This safety alert can be accessed from
www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news/safety-alters/whsq/2016/lifter-borer-boom-failure.
Australian Standards can be purchased from
here
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Concrete Pumping Operations in the
Construction Industry – WorkSafe WA
WorkSafe WA has issued an alert to make
builders and concrete pump operators aware of the need to manage
risks if they operate or contract the operation of a concrete pump
on a construction site. Incidents can include a worker’s legs being
caught in a concrete pump hopper between the agitator/paddles.
Contributing factors include:
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Lack of equipment maintenance, leading
to failure of interlocks of the grate over the hopper
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Poor hopper design, making it difficult
to clean from the outside of the hopper with water
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Controls between the water and agitator
being too close
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Lack of operator training, inadequate
instruction and supervision
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Safe work method statements (SWMS’s) do
not adequately reflect accessing the hopper for clean-out
purposes
The SWMS should aim to reduce the need to
enter the hopper and address the danger of entering it.
According to WorkSafe WA, the employer or person in control of the
workplace must ensure all vehicle-mounted concrete boom pump
operators hold a high-risk work license. Also, workers must be
adequately supervised and trained in using safe operating
procedures.
Employers should ensure that:
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SWMSs are conducted, and the need to
enter the hopper is fully explained and understood by workers
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The hopper is fitted with a secured
hopper grate, or the hopper grate is interlocked with an
emergency stop button
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A risk assessment on all tasks is
performed by the employer or person in control of the workplace.
This safety alert can be accessed from
www.commerce.wa.gov.au.
Further information on concrete pumping operations can be accessed
at:
www.ccaa.com.au/iMIS_Prod; and
www.cpassoc.com.au
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