Trailers
Trailers and the Law
Agricultural vehicles, trailers and trailed appliances are covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974( HSW Act), which places a duty on companies and individuals to ensure that precautions are taken to make work as safe as practically possible.
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THESE VEHICLES AND APPLIANCES are exempt from the legal testing requirements of many road vehicles, which puts the emphasis on the owner, to make sure their equipment is safe and in good working order. As more farming transport accidents occur off road than on, the high standards for road going vehicles should also be applied to those used off road.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998( PUWER) apply to any equipment that you use at work; this can include tractors, air compressors, chainsaws and even ladders. They require that equipment must be suitable for the task, properly maintained and guarded, and that adequate training and information about the equipment is available for employees.
These Regulations apply to employers, the self-employed and any person in control of work equipment. This includes the hirer or even someone who lends a machine out.
If these vehicles, trailers and trailed appliances are driven on the public highway, they must also comply with the Construction and Use Regulations 1986 and
The Road Traffic Act as in regards to road worthy condition. If any vehicle, trailer or trailed appliances is stopped, any defects found would leave the driver and owner liable for prosecution by road traffic law enforcement agencies or Police.
TESTING YOUR BRAKES Trailer brakes are a wearing part and need adjustment to keep performing well. The standard at which your brakes operate is known as the braking efficiency and is the maximum force capable of being developed by the brakes expressed as a percentage of the maximum gross weight of the vehicle. Measurement of braking efficiency requires specialised equipment not normally present in farm workshops, but may be available from your local approved brake test provider. Agricultural vehicle brakes Agricultural vehicles which do not travel faster than 20mph( 32km / h) are required to have a minimum braking efficiency of 25 %.
Agricultural vehicles travelling faster than 20mph( 32km / h) will need higher specification brakes, including ABS, dual-line fail safe braking systems and
a minimum brake efficiency of 50 %. Agricultural trailer brakes In general, agricultural trailers which do not travel faster than 20mph( 32km / h) must:
• Be capable of applying the brakes to at least two wheels on a trailer with no more than four wheels and to at least four wheels on a trailer with more than four wheels.
• Have a parking brake capable of preventing at least two of the wheels from revolving when the trailer is not being pulled; and
• Achieve a brake efficiency of at least 25 %.
In general, agricultural trailers which do travel faster than 20mph( 32km / h) must:
• Be capable of applying the brakes to at least two wheels on a trailer with no more than four wheels and to at least four wheels on a trailer with more than four wheels.
• Have a two-line fail-safe braking system for trailers not equipped with over-run brakes,
• Have ABS
• Achieve a braking efficiency of at least 45 %.
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70 Jun / Jul 2016 www. farmers-mart. co. uk