SOE: Latest IRTE guide champions tail lift safety

Monday, 1 June 2009 12:00 AM

Half of reported tail lift accidents are due to falls and slips, or from falling loads. Realising the need for best practice advice in this area, the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) have launched a crucial new guide, Preventing Falls and Falling Loads from Tail Lifts.

The IRTE is a professional membership organisation with over six decades of experience in road transport. Part of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), IRTE is recognised as an impartial industry voice and its latest guide continues core aims to lead in best practice processes, raise competence and support the entire industry.

Preventing Falls and Falling Loads from Tail Lifts has been produced in association with members of a Tail Lift Users Group, which included the IRTE, tail lift operators, manufacturers and the HSE (Health & Safety Executive). Benefitting from broad experience, the guide offers industry the opportunity to stay ahead of the game with regard to safety and is designed to supplement existing health and safety literature.

SOE technical manager Ian Chisholm said: "This guide is the product of an industry working together to meet challenges and exceed expectation, at a time when we cannot afford mishaps. The guide offers best practice advice and draws on the experience of experts in the field. It is a great addition to the IRTE's existing range of technical literature."

Preventing Falls and Falling Loads from Tail Lifts is FREE to download from www.soe.org.uk or copies can be ordered from Technical Engineering Coordinator Nick Edwards on 020 7630 1111.

Notes:

SOE (Society of Operations Engineers)

SOE is a professional membership organisation that successfully represents some 17,000 individuals and companies in engineering. It supports and encourages members throughout their careers and is committed to their ongoing growth and personal development.

Through a network of trustees, industry partners and members SOE promotes best practice in operational and health & safety initiatives. SOE offers members continuous professional development and support throughout their careers, providing definitive recognition for both achievement and status. The organisation is a Licensed Member of ECUK and can nominate members for ECUK registration at EngTech, IEng and CEng levels.

SOE represents the Professional Sectors IRTE, IPlantE and BES and runs the irtec Licensing Scheme.

Further details are available from the SOE website at www.soe.org.uk.

IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers)

The IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), one of the most respected names in UK transport, has been recognised as an impartial voice of the industry since 1947.

A Professional Sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), IRTE publishes an industry-leading technical journal, Transport Engineer, every month.

Transport Engineer is renowned for its incisive coverage of key issues, authoritative reporting, news analysis and informed comment.

IRTE also hosts regular technical seminars, forums and works alongside the DfT to promote efficiency and best practice. Recent events include trips and falls from vehicles, truck operation, fuel efficiency and the Road Safety Act.

IRTE's technical committee also produces regular industry guidance on key topics.

Recent publications include: A Best Practice Guide towards Tachograph Systems Compliance, Roadworthiness: Industry Best Practice, Coupling or Uncoupling & Parking of Large Goods Vehicle Trailers and Tail Lift - Specification Guide for Road Vehicles.

IRTE members come from a wide variety of transport-related roles. These include workshop managers, fleet engineers, transport managers, company directors, apprentices and technicians in the light and heavy goods vehicle and bus and coach sectors.

Tags: