Plant Health and Safety: Tailgate Loader Operation

Employers and business owners have a responsibility to provide and maintain safe plant and to ensure safe use, handling and storage of plant.

10 safety tips to prevent falls from ramps and tailgates:

• providing adequate information, instruction, training and/or supervision to persons operating or maintaining the ramp, tailgate or the associated hydraulic system.

• ensuring no-one enters the potential crushing zone of the ramp or tailgate unless it is fully lowered to the floor or has been mechanically secured in the raised position.

• ensuring controls are positioned so that they are clear of the ramp or tailgate’s movement area, including any potential crushing zone.

• providing constant pressure type or hold to run controls to ensure the operator is located out of the potential crushing zone.

• if remote controls are used, ensuring the operator does not enter the potential crushing zone of the ramp or tailgate.

• using positive mechanical devices, such as bolts or ratchet devices, to secure the ramp / tailgate in the raised position and ensure the operator accesses the devices from the side of the vehicle / trailer.

• regularly inspecting and maintaining the ramp or tailgate and associated equipment.

• ensuring procedures are in place to manage the repair in the event of ramp, tailgate or hydraulic failure or malfunction. Forklift trucks should not be used as a makeshift hydraulic system to raise the ramp or tailgate as this could increase the stored energy and pose a risk to people in the vicinity.

• using burst protection (load holding) valves in the hydraulic system to prevent an uncontrolled fall of the ramp or tailgate if there is a hydraulic pressure failure.

• using double-acting hydraulic cylinders to eliminate the need to apply additional external force.

Are you an employer in need of expert help?

ISOsafe offer Health and Safety compliance help to businesses Australia-wide. One of our Specialists will visit your workplace to review your processes and documents. Based on this, we will provide you with advice, compliance documents, training and a detailed report containing areas for improvement. Protect your people today, call ISOsafe on 1300 789 132.