NFDC Unveils High Reach Guidance Notes
The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), the voice of the UK demolition industry, has published a new set of guidance notes for the safe operation of high reach, demolition specification excavators.
High and super high reach demolition specification excavators have experienced perhaps the fastest-ever evolution of any kind of construction equipment. In little over a decade, they have evolved from quirky novelty to a mainstay of demolition equipment fleets the world over. At the same time, the height at which these machines can work has grown exponentially, passing supposed height barriers to reach 60 metres and beyond with. , it appears, no end in sight. Such growth comes as a result of innovation and development among equipment manufacturers, owners and operators. There is, however, one area of development that has failed to keep pace with demand. Although these highly specialised machines have an exemplary safety record – the NFDC has thankfully yet to record a single fatality that was attributable to a high reach machine - legislation covering their safe use has been slow in coming.
Best Practice
The NFDC has, therefore, developed guidance notes to help specifiers understand when and where to deploy high and super high reach machines; to help contractors ensure optimum site safety; and to encourage best practice from operators that are ultimately responsible for the safety of their fellow workers, the general public, and themselves.
Developed over a period of two years by representatives of the NFDC’s executive committee together with a number of leading manufacturers, the High Reach Guidance Notes have been a real team effort; a team effort led by National Secretary Howard Button and Paul Brown of Tilley & Barrett. “From the very early days of the first 15 metre high reach machines, we had identified the need for guidance on the safe use of these highly complex machines,” Paul Brown recalls. “And who better to produce them than the people that live and work with these machines all day, every day?”
Guidance Scope
One of the first challenges facing Brown and Button was defining the precise scope of the guidance notes: ensuring that they complemented rather than replaced owner and operator manuals developed by the manufacturers; and ensuring that they were used in conjunction with the method statements and risk assessments required by current legislation including BS6187-2000 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
For the purposes of this guidance, the NFDC working party defined a high or ultra high-reach excavator as an excavator equipped with a purpose-built, multi-boom allowing it to carry out demolition duties at heights of 15 metres and above. This includes excavators equipped with telescopic booms that may have a retracted or stowed height of 15 metres or less. Both multi-boom and telescopic boom machines may or may not be equipped with stabilising outriggers.
These machines are typically fitted with a Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS) cab to protect the operator. In many instances, the machines may also be equipped with additional protective equipment including toughened glass and steel grill guards. High and ultra high-reach excavators are not designed as a crane, nor should they be used to carry out any form of lifting duties, except when during the course of demolition works, they are required to grab elements of the structure being demolished.
Defining Responsibilities
Another key challenge for the working party developing the guidance notes was defining responsibilities. “Numerous parties are likely to be involved in the specification, selection, supply, use and maintenance of a high or ultra high-reach excavator including the client, the principal contractor, the machine hirer or manufacturer, and the demolition contractor,” Howard Button explains. “As much as anything, this guidance has been prepared to assist specifiers and principal contractors in selecting and imposing safe working methods and to provide them with an understanding of the many variables faced when using these highly specialised machines.”
Perhaps the most important section of the guidance notes, however, relates to site investigations and preparation. “Despite their phenomenal working height, these machines are inherently stable,” asserts Paul Brown. “Problems can arise, however, when these machines are exposed to on site hazards such as soft spots, unseen voids, overhead power lines and high winds.”
Paul Brown reserves a specific interest in the construction of working platforms and ramps designed to elevate high reach machines still further. “It is important to note that the vast majority of accidents involving high or ultra high reach excavators can be attributed directly to poorly designed or constructed working platforms,” he explains.
Against this background, the guidance notes set out very specific requirements for the design and construction of working platforms. They should be no more than 10 metres in height; and must be constructed to a high standard using material with a maximum particle size of 150 mm. It is also recommended that the platform be two metres wider and three metres longer than the machine’s track frame.
Official Launch
The new publication, which received its official launch at the NFDC’s 2006 convention in Barcelona, Spain, serves to further underline the Federation’s commitment to health and site safety. “With the recent launch of our own NVQ centre, the introduction of our site audit scheme and the production of the high reach guidance notes, we are sending a clear signal that the NFDC takes training, health and safety very seriously,” Howard Button says.
It is a sentiment with which Paul Brown agrees. “We could have sat idly by, waiting for our first fatality or the imposition of legislation written by someone with little or no understanding of our industry. But we have chosen to continue our policy of self-regulation,” Paul Brown concludes. “And we couldn’t have done this without the help, guidance and support of the publication’s sponsors, the manufacturers and the Health and Safety Executive.”
8th Oct 2006
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