High Risk Work Licence - Reach Stacker (RS) key terms

The legal obligation of a person conducting business or undertaking, and of workers, to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of themselves and others affected by the work.

The legal entity, such as an employer or operator of a container terminal, that holds the primary work health and safety duties for the site and the equipment used there.

The test used to decide what safety measures are required, weighing the likelihood and severity of harm against the cost, effort and availability of ways to eliminate or reduce the risk.

A formal national licence that authorises a person to operate specified plant such as a reach stacker, issued after training, assessment and competency verification, and subject to renewal and conditions.

A written document that sets out the high risk work activities to be carried out, the hazards involved, the control measures to be applied and how those controls will be implemented, monitored and reviewed.

The ranked order of risk control measures, from eliminating the hazard through substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and finally personal protective equipment as the least effective option.

A structured process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood and consequence of harm, and deciding which controls are needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level before work proceeds.

Any thing, situation or source of potential harm that could cause injury, illness, damage to equipment or property, or environmental harm during reach stacker operations.

A marked or barricaded area around the reach stacker and its load where unauthorised people are not permitted, sized to cover the machine's travel path, slewing tail swing and any dropped-load risk.

The planning and physical measures, such as walkways, barriers, signage and traffic rules, used to keep people apart from moving reach stackers and the loads they carry.

A designated person who guides the operator with agreed signals or radio contact during blind lifts, tight manoeuvres or reversing, and who stays in the operator's view or maintains communication.

A documented set of arm and hand movements, such as raise, lower, stop and travel, used to direct the machine so the operator and signal person share one agreed meaning.

A dedicated radio channel used between operator, spotter and control room, with clear protocols for identifying speakers, acknowledging instructions and confirming that a message was received.

A manufacturer-supplied table or diagram that states the maximum permitted load at each boom length, boom angle and radius, including the effect of attachments and outrigger configuration.

The maximum mass the reach stacker may handle at a given configuration, as stated on the load chart, reduced for attachments, spreader type, container size and any site-specific limitation.

An onboard system that continuously measures boom angle, length and load, then warns or restricts operation when the machine approaches or exceeds its rated capacity for the current configuration.

The triangular footprint formed by the machine's three support points, being the front axle and the two rear wheels, within which the centre of gravity must stay to avoid tipping.

The point at which the machine's total weight is considered to act; it shifts when the boom is extended or a load is lifted, and tipping occurs if it moves outside the stability base.

Heavy mass fitted at the rear of the reach stacker to offset the forward load moment of the boom and container, improving stability and keeping the centre of gravity within safe limits.

The telescopic attachment that locks onto the corner castings of a container, with twistlocks that engage and release to allow the container to be lifted and placed.

A rotating locking pin in the spreader that engages the corner casting of a container; it must be fully engaged before lifting and fully released before the spreader is withdrawn.

The steel block at each corner of a container, bored to accept twistlocks and used to bear and transfer the container's load during lifting, stacking and securing.

A standardised steel freight container with fixed corner castings, built to common length and height ratings so it can be stacked, lifted and transported across road, rail and sea.

A layout showing which container goes in which bay, row and tier, its weight and destination, used to keep stacks stable and to control the order of retrieval.

A vertical level in a container stack, counted upward from the ground or from the base container, used in stacking plans to describe where a container is placed.

The arrangement of container masses within a stack and across the machine, kept low and evenly spread so that no container, stack or axle is overloaded and stability is maintained.

The load per unit area that the reach stacker transmits through its wheels or outriggers to the surface, which must be within what the pavement, slab or hardstand can support.

An inspection of the operating surface for strength, level, slope, drainage, voids, soft spots and obstructions before work starts, so the machine is not operated where it could settle or tip.

A hydraulically extended leg with a pad that widens the machine's support base and transfers load to the ground, used only when fully deployed on suitable bearing material.

The systematic check of fluid levels, tyres, brakes, steering, hydraulics, spreader, lights, alarms and safety devices carried out before the reach stacker is used each shift.

A written record of any fault or damage found on the machine, describing the problem, its location, the date and the reporter, and triggering isolation, tagging or repair before further use.

A visible tag attached to a machine or control indicating it must not be operated because of a defect or maintenance activity, removed only by an authorised person after repair and check.

A procedure for isolating energy sources, such as the battery, hydraulics or engine, and fitting locks and tags so the machine cannot be started or moved during maintenance or repair.

The manufacturer's planned intervals for servicing, lubrication and inspection of the reach stacker, which must be followed and recorded to keep the machine safe and within warranty.

The documented method for safely lowering a raised boom and load, or releasing a person, when hydraulic power or controls fail, using manual valves or backup systems.

The immediate stopping of the engine and hydraulic functions using the emergency stop control when a person or property is at risk, followed by isolating the machine and securing the area.

A formal record completed after any accident, near miss, dropped load or damage event, capturing what happened, who was involved, the conditions and the immediate actions taken.

The end-of-shift procedure of lowering the boom and spreader to rest, applying the parking brake, neutralising controls, removing the key and chocking wheels as required on slopes.

The inspection carried out at the end of a shift or task to confirm the machine is undamaged, correctly parked, refuelled and ready for the next operator.

Gases and particulates produced by the engine that pose health risks in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, controlled by ventilation, servicing and limiting idle running.

The controlled steps for refuelling, including engine shutdown, no ignition sources, bonding, drip trays and spill kit readiness, to prevent fire and environmental contamination.

The use of bunds, drip trays, absorbent materials and a spill kit to capture leaked fuel, hydraulic oil or coolant so it does not reach soil, drains or waterways.