PRESS INFORMATION

For immediate release

4 March 2009

CDM2007.ORG BACKS URGENT WARNING ABOUT USE OF SEMI-AUTOMATIC QUICK-HITCH PLANTS

CDM2007.org, developer of the e-learning portal dedicated to CDM training, is working with the Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC) to warn UK construction companies about the dangers of continuing to use semi-automatic quick hitches.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that European manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to stop supplying the equipment after four fatal incidents occurred in a period of only twelve months. Currently only manual or automatic quick hitches are available whilst investigations are carried out.

CDM2007.org has agreed to help the SFfC to communicate the message through its portal which extends to the public sector community through students and team managers. David Jones, Marketing Manager at CDM2007.org, said: “This is a major issue concerning the latching device that enables attachments to be connected to the dipper arm of the plant and changed quickly. Quick hitches are in common use, and can save time when working with excavators.”

Many of these pieces of equipment are not even made or tested by the original plant manufacturer but are made to fit a range of connections and can often come from uncertain and diverse places around the world. The uncontrolled second-hand market for these pieces of plant adds to the problem.

In addition to the four fatal incidents involving semi-automatic quick hitches, there have been other accidents with manual and automatic types, and similar fatalities that are currently being investigated. There are many different types of quick hitch, but the common theme of all the fatal accidents was a missing retaining pin or bar, which is essential to keep the attachment in place. A quick hitch may continue to operate for some time, but then without warning will swing open or fall off. If this happens when lifting over or close to a person, the result is likely to be fatal.

“The SFfC is aware of the vast range of second-hand pieces of quick hitch coupling equipment that is readily available from sales outlets, used plant sales and auction yards,” continued David Jones. “Obviously these uncontrolled yet important pieces of link machinery can be worn out or have defects.”

Property teams will now be planning maintenance and capital works for 2009/10, and this will include hazardous operations such as demolitions, excavations and drainage work which will at some point require the use of mechanical excavators. The SFfC and CDM2007.org advise the following actions:

• Client officers should ensure they brief the construction team with appropriate information (CDM2007 statutory requirement)
• Corporate Safety Officers could generally impose a temporary ban on the use of all semi-automatic quick-hitch devices on all the projects for their respective client organisations
• Specifying officers could include a clause restricting the use of all semi-automatic quick-hitch devices on their construction projects
• CDM co-ordinators could include respective and appropriate information within the Pre-construction Health and Safety Information (CDM2007 statutory requirement)

CDM2007.org was developed by London Borough of Bromley to provide the learningtools that deliveressential holistic knowledgenecessary for construction personnel to meet the government and industry standards redefined by the CDM2007 Regulations. The comprehensive training is delivered mainly to teams of professional and technical officers involved in the procurement, design and management of construction and property maintenance across UK public services in local and highway authorities.

Further details are at www.CDM2007.org

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By Hannover Consultancy on behalf of cdm2007.org, a business project of the London Borough of Bromley,

For more information

Matthew Pudney/ Julie Kirby at Hannover Consultancy

T. +44 020 (7) 602 9222 M. 07968 277556 

E. matthew.pudney@hannoverconsultancy.com/

julie.kirby@hannoverconsultancy.com

Steve Dalby at CDM2007.org T +44 020 (8) 464 3333

E. Steve.dalby@cdm2007.org

Notes to Editors:

CDM2007.org background

In anticipation of the release of the CDM 2007 Regulations, London Borough of Bromley built a new central e-learning portal and developed essential modular on-line CDM2007 training. This was launched on 31 May 2007.

The CDM2007.org project provides essential unified on-line modular CDM training available to all public service organisations and local authorities across the UK.  The training addresses the need to provide credible proof of competence, as the new CDM2007 Regulations and Corporate Manslaughter & Corporate Homicide Act 2007 require. It will enable those who undertake the training and who pass the tests to have the necessary tools to assist them to prove they are meeting the criteria to be consideredcompetent to discharge their lawful duties. Under the regulations particular importance is attached to the new statutory role of the CDM Coordinator, and the three key areas that prove competency: job experiences, the work being completed and continued professional development.

Longer term The CDM2007.org project aims to establish a joined-up CDM Community to share experience and raise the culture of health and safety thereby reducing fatalities and injuries within the building and construction industries and bringing about safer communities.

The project started when the senior management team at Bromley approached David Jones, Planned Maintenance Team Manager, to provide in-house training for the local Bromley team.   It was realised that by creating a modular training course it would also meet the requirements for all other local authorities and other public service organisations.