Hazard & Risk Assessment – HIAB VLC

Hazards & Risk assessment information

Reference number: HIAB XS Date:

Brand: HIAB Site location: All

Conducted by: Jonathan Toye (Engineering Manager) Peter Spencer (National HSE Manager)

Description of plant being assessed

HIAB vehicle loading crane truck mounted.

Background information

People at risk Employees Contractors Customers

(please tick):

Visitors Other, please specify:

Operator Requirements
You must have studied the Operator’s Manual for your HIAB vehicle loading crane carefully and hold a competency level
suitable for the operation of the HIAB vehicle loading crane. Note this may require a high risk work licence, refer to state
safety regulator website for more information.
Never operate the equipment when you are sick, tired, under the influence of medicines, alcohol or other drugs

Generic Hazards & Risks – For this type of Equipment

The hazards and risks detailed here are generic for this type of equipment and are intended to give principal contractors and users a
quick summary of the hazards and risks involved before putting it to use. For details of any additional model specific hazards and user
information, reference should be made to the operating instructions/other information supplied with the equipment. In addition to
this instruction a demonstration is also available from our trained staff.

Hazards & Risks Suggested Control measures

Hydraulics can lower without warning and cause serious
i. Never work under or near a suspended load
crushing/shearing injuries to body/limbs or death
attached to the hook.
ii. Never walk under the crane boom while in
operation.
iii. Do not put any part of your body into a
trapping space.
iv. If the work to be conducted under raised
hydraulics cannot be fully supported by an
approved support device, an assessment must
be undertaken to identify the risks and the
specified control measures (to conduct work
safely) MUST be implemented prior to the
work being conducted
CRUSHING
i. At all times stand clear of the load being moved into
Being crushed between the plant and materials, or fixed
position
structures when operating the plant
ii. Never position a load over the top of the operator or
other persons.
iii. If the view of the load or final position of the load is
obstructed, then a person holding the appropriate
high risk work licence should be engaged to guide
the crane operator and the load
iv. Ensure that telescopic arms are clearly labeled with
warning decals displaying the potential crushing
hazard associated with scissor type plants.
v. When reversing the truck ensure that a spotter is
provided when views are obstructed
vi. Ensure that area is isolated from persons walking
into the path of the reversing truck
vii. When placing outriggers into position correct
manual handling processes should be undertaken.
viii. Ensure the vehicle is secure through the application
of the vehicle park brake.
Tools or material falling
i. Isolate the lifting area
ii. Ensure that all loose items are removed from any
operating surface to prevent objects falling
Body or limbs can be crushed if not kept clear of
iii. Clear all persons from the area before raising or
operating parts
lowering.
iv. Where necessary consider appropriate barricading
of the lifting area.
Coming in contact with moving parts during testing,
i. Ensure that any and all inspection and maintenance
inspection, operation and maintenance, cleaning and
procedures is done in accordance with the
repair
procedures manual
ii. Ensure that all fitted warning decals are placed on
the plant, and safe operating procedures are placed
in the manual and kept on the machine as reference.
Plant tipping over while in operation, testing or
i. Ensure the load is within the charted reference as
maintenance
fitted to the crane.
ii. After operator assessment of ground conditions,
ensure the use of suitable footpads if required.
iii. Ensure the crane is not illegally overloaded
iv. Ensure the ground is not soft or unstable. (if in
doubt obtain information on point loading in the
area of operation)
v. Ensure the environment does not present strong
winds (10m/s recommended)
vi. Ensure that where the crane is intended to operate
on pneumatic tyres, attention shall be given to the
condition of the tyres.
vii. Never move the vehicle while the crane has a
suspended load.
viii. The tyres shall be free from defects and inflated to
the correct pressure
ix. Vehicle fitted with air suspension, the factory
instructions must be followed when lifting, loading
or unloading.
x. The air suspension must be fully deflated before
operating crane.

Being trapped between the plant and materials, or fixed

i. Avoid congested work areas
structures while in operation, testing or maintenance
ii. Remain outside of the working area of the crane and
its load
iii. Ensure sufficient clearance between the load and
obstructions
iv. Ensure that any and all inspection and maintenance
procedures are done in accordance with the
procedures manual
v. Ensure that where the crane is intended to operate
on pneumatic tyres, attention shall be given to the
condition of the tyres.
vi. The tyres shall be free from defects and inflated to
the correct pressure

ELECTRICAL

Electrocution from overhead power lines? i. Maintain mandatory minimum clearances from
overhead power lines as define by Regulatory
Authorities. Remember the golden rule “Look up and
Live”
The plant contacting live electrical conductors?
i. Ensure that the operator is to take safety measures
to avoid all hazards in the work area prior to
machine operation.
ii. This machine is not insulated and does not provide
protection from contact or proximity to electrical
current.
iii. Ensure that the operator maintains a safe distance
from electrical lines, apparatus, or any energized
(exposed or insulated) parts according to the
Minimum Safe Approach Distance (MSAD) Refer
Operators Manual
iv. The operator should when conducting an
assessment of the task should allow for machine
movement and electrical line swaying
Water near electrical equipment?
v. If using electrical items outdoors, they must be
weather proof. If cleaning machine do not use
pressurized water near control boxes or
electric/electronic components

REMOTE CONTROL (where fitted)

i. While using remote, be aware of your surroundings.
Being crushed between the plant and materials, or
fixed structures when operating the plant ii. Never use the remote while undertaking tasks other
than manoeuvring the load with the crane.

iii. Misuse of the remote may result in harm to persons

or property

Changing of battery iv. Charging of the battery should be as per operators

manual
v. Never use batteries that are not recommended for use
in the operators manual
ENTANGLEMENT
i. Keep personnel clear
Becoming entangled in moving parts ii. Isolate work area from other persons
Equipment Not in Use i. Do not leave the boom fully extended and
unattended as it could be exposed to wind loads and
Plant tipping over when unattended
other risks such as collision with vehicular traffic

Unauthorised use
ii. Remove operational power from crane
iii. Use E stops to isolate operation
HIGH PRESSURE FLUID
Contact with fluids under high pressure, due to plant i. Ensure that all hydraulic hoses used have a
failure or misuse of the plant? bursting pressure of three times the working
pressure
ii. Ensure that the provision of relief valves is
used to prevent over pressurising the hydraulic
system. Holding valves prevent unsafe descent
in the advent of failure.

FALLS
Falling from heights i. The operator should never stand on the frame
of the truck unless a risk assessment has been
completed and suitable controls put in place to
prevent injury
ii. Operator should never stand on top of a load
being lifted or when the load is on the ground
or on the truck

ENVIROMENT
Poor lighting and reduced visibility i. Operator must ensure that where lighting is
requested, positional spotlights are fixed to
mounts
Excessive Noise ii. Operator must ensure that where fitted
around the motors a shroud should be in place
and the shroud should assist in reducing the
noise problems that may exist or if not
possible, wear suitable hearing protection.
(reference AS 1270)
iii. Where noise is considered excessive level
testing should be done to AS1055.2 & AS1269

MAINTENANCE
Exposure to circuits, vapours, gases and acids during I. The truck incorporates a battery charging,
battery charging which has the ability to produce hydrogen gas,
this is flammable, consideration should be
given when undertaking maintenance in a
workshop for suitable ventilation.
II. The truck generates exhaust gases, which has
the ability to cause harm to persons if the work
is not carried out in a facility that supports
adequate ventilation
UV Exposure
Excessive exposure to sunlight while operating the I. Take precautions that reduces the exposure of
equipment the skin to direct sunlight, e.g. wear hat, long
pants, long sleeves, and apply sunscreen
Additional Hazards & Risks
These are additional hazards and risks of using this equipment which we know about which are not shown in the
manufacturers operating instructions/other information supplied with the equipment

Only trained and competent operators should carry out load lifting, shifting and other safe operations of the VLC

Additional accessories are available for individual units, where required by the customer a separate risk assessment
should be attached.

Acknowledgement.
Hazard information sheets have been produced as an aid to workplace safety after an extensive review of the requirements on the National Standard
for Plant and its adoption in each State. It is a combination of information from OH&S authorities, manufacturer, suppliers, the industry and users, and
has been set out in the format in response to industry requests for a quick reference useful user friendly document

Disclaimer:
In fulfilment of its statutory obligations, the company has taken what it considers to be all reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to
ensure that it has provided all relevant information on the safe use of the plant. However, except as required by law and only to the extent so required,
the company does not make any representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, as to, or accept any responsibility or liability for, the
accuracy or completeness of, or any errors in or omission from this hazard information sheet