Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
JUNE 2020 | 3
News
ENGINEERING EXPERT WARNS AGAINST MACHINERY
INSPECTION COMPLACENCY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC,
AS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY GETS PM GO-AHEAD
As work resumes on many shutdown
construction sites this week, an
engineering expert is urging plant
hire companies and site managers to
check that their onsite machinery’s
health and safety certifications
are up-to-date and valid.
Keith Short, machinery inspection
engineer at UK Risk
Management & Engineering
Services (UKRMES), is issuing a
warning that certificates on lifting
machinery may have expired on
many sites during the lockdown.
Although emergency extensions
have been granted during
the COVID-19 pandemic, such as
MOTs and first aid certificates,
the law for Lifting Operations
and Lifting Equipment Regulations
(LOLER) requirements
remains in place.
Keith said that engineering
inspections should remain a top
priority for fully operational, reopening
and closed sites.
“The construction industry is
essential for both growing the
economy and catering for the
country’s growing population but,
like other industries, it has been
forced to pause many projects
due the pandemic,” Keith says.
“Whilst some sites have stayed
opened during the coronavirus
shutdown, many are just starting
to resume operations, and many
more will follow, after the Prime
Minister’s address.
“During this period of readjustment,
it can be difficult to
grasp what is ‘essential’ and what
is ‘non-essential’ but when it
comes to thorough examination
and testing (TE&T) of plant and
equipment, the law is clear.
“In order for sites to hit the
ground running when they reopen,
duty holders need to have
met their statutory obligation
to ensure that work plant and
equipment is maintained and is
safe to use.
“TE&T is critical to ensure the
safe operation of equipment and
continues to be
a fundamental
part of the
management
process. Failure
of machinery
through deterioration
can create
dangerous situations,
physical harm and business
disruption – which is the last
thing that businesses want or
need when they are trying to get
back on their feet.”
PUWER and LOLER regulations
require equipment used at work
to be suitable and safe for use,
correctly installed, maintained
and used, and to have suitable
health and safety controls and
markings. PUWER applies to all
machinery, whilst LOLER only
applies to lifting equipment, including
360 excavators, backhoe
loaders, foreloaders, fork-lift
trucks and telescopic handlers to
hoists, cranes on machines, and
lifting attachments. With LOLER,
some extra requirements apply.
Dutyholders must have PUWER
and LOLER inspections on machinery
and equipment to comply
with HSE Regulations, which
are legal requirements.
If through an inspection or
incident investigation, HSE
finds that the regulations were
breached or there was negligence,
the dutyholder faces prosecution
or significant fines.
PUWER and LOLER inspections
should be undertaken by
an inspector with the relevant
engineering experience and
knowledge.
“Construction is Britain’s second
most dangerous industry to
work in, with 30 people killed
in 2018/19 – taking unnecessary
Keith Short
risks is simply not an option,”
said Keith.
“During the period of lockdown,
HSE has said that dutyholders
should ensure inspectors
have access to equipment in a
timely manner, that they should
consider allowing inspectors
access to closed sites so that
equipment is ready for when the
business reopens, and to make
reasonable attempts to source
engineers from another provider
if their usual provider cannot
provide the service.
“HSE also said that dutyholders
must be able to demonstrate that
they have made all reasonable
attempts to have the thorough
examination and testing (TE&T)
carried out within the required
timescales.
“However, if equipment is to
continue in use without TE&T,
then dutyholders must assess the
increased risk and take appropriate
action to manage it.
“Construction workers face
potentially fatal risks on a daily
basis, and that is only magnified
during times of upheaval, such
as this. Now is certainly not the
time for complacency and protecting
employee safety should
remain top priority.”
“In this climate, it is understandable
that other health
and safety concerns are at the
forefront of dutyholders’ and site
managers’ minds and that they
are reluctant to welcome visitors
onsite, but our engineers remain
committed to their duties and will
be taking every care and precaution
so that they can continue to
carry these out.
“The health and safety of our
engineers and our clients is paramount
and enhanced protective
measures will be taken during
inspections, including the use
of suitable personal protective
equipment (PPE), robust cleaning
procedures and social distancing.
“Managing risk is an integral
part of this industry and keeping
construction workers safe during
this pandemic is our prime concern.”
Anyone who wishes to enquire
about a PUWER or LOLER
inspection should contact Keith
on 07590 444085.