Vehicle loading crane compliance campaign
An ongoing campaign by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the Department of Transport and Main Roads is continuing to improve industry compliance with vehicle loading cranes.
In 2018-19, more than 1000 assessments were carried outto help stamp out the fatalities, serious injuries and extensive property damage caused when manually operated stabilisers on vehicles fitted with a VLC have unintentionally extended during travel on public roads.
Inspectors from both agencies conducted the assessments at weighbridges and by the roadside, with follow-up assessments at workplaces. Key campaign findings showed:
- 182 VLCs relied on one locking device (no secondary lock)
- 160 VLCs had ineffective locking devices, including unsecured stabiliser, stabilisers restrained by an unrated chain or strap and damaged or missing locking mechanisms
- 204 VLC stabilisers had not been properly maintained.
If you own or operate a VLC with manually operated stabilisers you must ensure:
- each stabiliser is equipped with a separate locking device (a primary and secondary locking mechanism) and at least one of these must be automatically operated (a spring-operated cam lock and an automatic spring latch)
- locking devices on stabilisers are fully operational with no faults
- VLCs are properly maintained (including stabilisers)
- operators of VLCs are competent to operate stabilisers
- VLCs have fitted and working visual and audible alarms.
While COVID-19 may have some impact on compliance activities, the VLC assessments are scheduled to continue until August 2020.
Further information
Further information on safe use of VLCs, including a self-assessment tool, visit worksafe.qld.gov.au.