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Mechanical sheeting

6th October 1994, Page 27
6th October 1994
Page 27
Page 27, 6th October 1994 — Mechanical sheeting
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Disaster / Accident

Tread with more than a little i frustration the article on Bardon Roadstone asking its owner-drivers to fit mechanical sheeting equipment. (CM 22-28 September page 4).

As the report indicates, these devices cost in the region of LI,000 each, Presumably, Bardon uses owner-drivers because they are cheaper and more flexible than a company-owned fleet. I wonder if the company would be so anxious to preempt a Health & Safety Executive guideline if it meant it had to pick up the bill?

It is all very well the company offering ownerdrivers an interest-free loan, but will it increase the rates so that the hauliers can recoup the capital cost of this unnecessary piece of equipment?

It is of course very difficult to argue against a particular measure purportedly taken in the interests of safety and, like any responsible person, I am all in favour of improved safety

While I am unaware of any published statistics on injuries caused to tipper drivers sheeting their vehicles, they do undoubtedly occur, and some of those will already be serious. However, what I do have no doubt about is that they do not out number the injuries sustained by drivers who do, and will still have to, clamber up and down the body of their tipper in order to manually level the load prior to sheeting.

In fact, with a mechanical sheeting system, a level load will be vital in order for it to operate. In my view, the installation of a mechanical sheeting system will have no effect whatsoever in reducing the number of injuries incurred, and may even increase it.

Of course, there is one way of removing the need for a driver to climb up on to the load in order to sheet it and by so doing reduce the number of injuries overnight.

The producers of asphalt, aggregrates and sand should be required to install sheeting platforms at their depots and quarries so that a vehicle can be driven up to it, allowing the driver to walk around the vehicle at body height and sheet the load in complete safety Also in Bardon's case, it would be a great deal less costly than the £90,000 which it is asking its ownerdrivers to pay collectively However, I doubt whether that will suit Bardon Roadstone, or other companies, because that cost would rest with them. Mick Birms, General secretary, National Owner Drivers Associalkm, (NODA UK), Northampton.

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