health & safety alert

---

 HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT Storage Vault Topple What happened An operative was seen moving a pallet truck loaded with two secure steel storage vaults stacked on top of each other. The loads were unstable, not balanced and not under control. The reporter caught the attention of the operative and as he walked towards him the loads shifted and the steel storage vault on top fell. The reporter jumped out its way and it narrowly missed him and another employee. Findings • The storage area was congested and the site team were asked to clear the area by moving redundant materials. • The secure steel storage vaults had no signage to warn of the dangers of moving heavy site boxes by pallet truck. • The pallet truck was “double stacked” with storage vaults. • The operative seen operating the pallet truck was not familiar, competent or authorised to use the pallet truck. • The use of the pallet truck to move materials was not documented in any method statements, risk assessments or task briefings; nor was it discussed at the pre work briefing. • The task was not planned; the site team made a decision to move materials from the storage area to a new area to make use of a “window of opportunity”. • Materials were allowed to accumulate in the storage area.

What action needs to be taken and by whom? Project Managers • Ensure that risk assessments and method statements are reviewed to address the safe use of pallets trucks and the risk of overloading and double stacking. Construction/Site Managers • Ensure signage, to warn of the dangers of moving heavy site boxes by pallet truck, is placed on all site boxes and storage vaults. • Ensure that only competent persons operate pallet trucks on site (at all times). • Arrange for storage / work areas to be inspected regularly and all redundant materials removed. Everyone • Ensure site operatives follow manufacturers instructions in the use of all equipment.

N.B A similar incident occurred in July 2018 for which an alert was also issued.

11th June 2019