The Blind Lift Around the Corner
You need to move a 700 kg pack of insulation from a delivery point to the first floor of a building under construction. The route is: out of the yard, round a 90-degree corner where a scaffold standards row narrows the gap to about 3.2 m (your machine is 2.4 m wide with the boom centred), then up a ramp of 1 in 8 to a loading bay. The load will be placed through a first-floor opening; the operator's view of the opening is blocked by the scaffold. A labourer offers to 'wave you in'. There is a pedestrian walkway crossing the route that is used by other trades. The machine has a 3.5 t capacity and the load centre is standard.
1. Plan the movement and placement, identifying the specific risks and the controls for each.
Read the worked answer
Risks and controls:
- Narrow gap (3.2 m for a 2.4 m machine) - only 0.4 m each side. Control: walk the route first, remove or protect obstructions, and use a banksman to guide through. Travel slowly, boom low and retracted.
- Ramp 1 in 8 - a loaded telehandler on a gradient has reduced stability and braking. Control: travel straight up/down the ramp, load on the uphill side, low gear, no turning on the ramp, and confirm the ramp surface and edges are sound.
- Blind placement through the opening - the operator cannot see the landing point. Control: a competent banksman in radio contact, agreed signals, positioned where the operator can see them and where they can see the landing point; no one stands under the load. The labourer's 'wave you in' is only acceptable if they are briefed, in a safe position, and using agreed signals - otherwise use a trained signaller.
- Pedestrian walkway - control: segregate, close or divert the walkway during the move, or use a banksman to stop pedestrians. Do not rely on people 'being careful'.
- Load - 700 kg is well within capacity, but confirm the load centre and that the pack is secure on the forks.
Sequence: brief the banksman, close the walkway, walk the route, travel with the load low, guide through the gap, ascend the ramp straight, place with signals, land, release.
2. What signals would you agree with the banksman, and what would you do if communication broke down?
Read the worked answer
Agree a small set of clear signals before starting - for example: stop, raise, lower, extend, retract, come forward, go back - demonstrated and confirmed by both parties. If radios are used, agree a channel and a test call. One person only should give signals; multiple signallers cause confusion. The banksman must stay in the operator's view and never stand under the load or between the machine and a fixed object.
If communication breaks down - radio fails, the banksman moves out of view, or signals become unclear - the operator stops immediately and does not move until communication is restored. The load stays where it is, lowered if possible, and the lift is suspended. Continuing on assumption is how people get crushed.