Mobile Cranes and Powered Access – Is there a load spread safety gap?
Joint event with IOSH’s Construction Group
Our recent joint event with IOSH’s Construction Group and IOSH’s Midland and East Region branches attracted more than 200 delegates from across the UK and Ireland, as well as Australia, the Middle East and India.
The theme was Mobile Cranes and Powered Access – Is there a load spread safety gap?
The very engaging question-and-answer session that followed our 35-minute presentation (and was longer!) really demonstrated that this is an industry wide hot topic.
Our presentation was recorded and is now available on IOSH’s YouTube channel. It includes the question-and-answer session. To listen in, click here.
IOSH is the Chartered body and largest membership organisation for health and safety professionals.
Why we collaborated with IOSH
Mobile Crane and Powered Access technology has advanced greatly in the last twenty years, but load spreading outrigger mats haven’t advanced at the same rate – if at all. Modern mobile cranes are now lifting more at greater distances, and powered access equipment is operating at greater heights and reach, which impose heavier loads through their outriggers and or wheels during site operations.With a lack of awareness of how load spread systems should work, together with understanding the benefits of varying outrigger systems on the market – a lack of formal protocol on material selection, certification and testing is creating safety challenges for site operations.Our presentation highlights some of the shortfalls concerning selection of load spread systems and information that is not readily available within the field of powered access – which if it was, would aid good practice.
Our ALIMATS® drawings for cranes and MEWPS are free to download here
