HSENI Safety Alert - Tipping Trailers / Dump Trailers missing mechanical support (integral prop) to secure the trailer body at height during maintenance
Date published:
Introduction
HSENI wishes to alert owners and operators of agricultural trailers - Tipping Trailers / Dump Trailers of the potential for a missing mechanical support which poses a severe risk of fatality or serious injury from being crushed if the hydraulic system fails and the body of the trailer falls unexpectedly.
Issue
The mechanical support is designed so that the trailer body can be lifted/tilted, providing safe support to prevent unintended lowering or movement - acting as a crucial backup to the hydraulic system in the event failure.
Manufacturers of Tipping Trailers / Dump Trailers may not have included a mechanical support on their product.
Agricultural trailers, when declared as a machine, must be manufactured and placed on the European market in compliance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. As such, this requires the machine to meet “state of the art” which can either be achieved by designing the machine according to up-to-date harmonised standards or either equalling or exceeding the provisions described. With regards to agricultural trailers, BS EN 1853:2017 describes the generally acknowledged state of the art in this case, and paragraph 4.7.2 states that:
“A mechanical support hinged to the trailer, in conformity with the requirements given in EN ISO 4254-1:2015, 4.11 shall be provided to secure the body in high position during maintenance operations. In addition to EN ISO 4254-1:2015, 4.11.1.2, the articulated mechanical support shall not require the presence of an operator in the hazardous zone to hold it in position during the lowering of the load body.”
As outlined, use of this standard is voluntary to achieve state of the art. If the manufacturer has opted for an alternative approach, they must include measures that satisfy the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) and provide an equal or greater level of safety to the state of the art. This would include a mechanical support hinged to the trailer, which is capable of being fitted and removed without the need to access under the unsupported part of the machine as far as is reasonably practicable.
Affected products
There is the potential for any agricultural Tipping Trailer / Dump Trailer to not meet the requirements of the Machinery Directive. Mechanical supports, or integral props as they are also known, can be found on chassis of the trailer bed on either side. Furthermore, the mechanical support should be positioned in a way to ensure that no part of a person is under the unsupported raised body at any time whilst deploying or stowing the mechanical support.
Action required by owners / operators:
Check
Inspect your Tipping Trailer / Dump Trailer for a mechanical support hinged to either side of the chassis or body which would allow for the trailer body to be secured in a high position during maintenance operations. Only an adequately designed and installed mechanical support should be used.
What to do if your trailer's mechanical support is missing
If a mechanical support is not present, do not work under the raised trailer body or attempt maintenance on the trailer when the body is not in the lowered position. If the body is already raised, lower it to the ground immediately.
Consult your manual
If you cannot find the mechanical support or are unsure how to use it, consult your trailer's operating manual or contact the trailer manufacturer for specific instructions on how to properly use and secure the mechanical support.
Secure the body
Once you are ready to perform maintenance, always ensure the body is empty and the mechanical support is securely in place before lowering the body onto it.
Remember
Never enter the space between the trailer body and chassis when the trailer is being lowered or raised.
Action required by manufacturers
Manufacturers of any trailers placed on the European market without a mechanical support or with a mechanical support but positioned in a way that the user is under the unsupported raised body at any time whilst deploying or stowing the mechanical support; should get in contact with your supply chain/customers to ensure all owners of these Tipping Trailers /Dump Trailers are made aware of steps required to operate their trailer safely.
Additional information
Notified by: Health and Safety Executive and Health and Safety Authority.