Toolbox Talk

TOWING AND HANDLING MOBILE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

DESCRIPTION

This equipment gives rise to many hazards when it is being loaded / unloaded, towed or handled.

HAZARDS

 Unserviceable plant
 Trapped limbs and/or fingers.
 Runaway plant and insecure loads.
 Damage to plant, buildings or services.
 Damage to equipment being towed.

LEARNING POINTS

 Check plant at time of delivery, do not accept u/s plant

 When towing, always use a properly constructed towing hitch, which should be securely and
permanently attached to the towing vehicle.
 When attaching plant to a tow hitch ensure that the tow ball is fully enclosed or that the pin has
dropped far enough to fit the retaining clip, which should be chained to the drop pin.
 The jockey wheel, when fitted, must not be raised until the plant is securely attached and must be
lowered again before removing plant from the tow hitch.
 The unladen towing vehicle must be hand-braked before the plant is lifted on to the tow hitch.
Move the towing vehicle towards the plant to minimise the need to manhandle the mobile plant.
 Care should be taken when locating equipment on the tow hitch not to trap fingers between the
plant and tow hitch - always wear gloves.
 Where mobile plant has stabilisers, they should be part lowered before removing the plant from
the tow hitch to prevent the towing frame from rising quickly on detachment.
 Responsibility for towing any plant safely is that of the driver of the towing vehicle. The driver
is responsible for ensuring that the system of towing, as laid down by his employer, is properly
implemented and followed.
 Winches should be used if possible to draw the equipment up vehicle ramps. Mobile plant
should be tied down and the wheels chocked before moving off.
 When using lorry loaders, always extend the outriggers prior to loading or unloading operations
and also do not exceed the safe working load of the loader or lifting gear.
 Do not use lorry loaders for any other purpose than to place equipment on or off the bed of the
lorry.

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