Construction companies warned about the dangers of semi-automatic quick hitches
(11/03/2009)

The Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC) is warning UK construction companies about the dangers of continuing to use semi-automatic quick hitches. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that European manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to stop supplying the equipment after four fatal incidents occurred in a period of only twelve months. Currently only manual or automatic quick hitches are available whilst investigations are carried out.

Many of these pieces of equipment are not even made or tested by the original plant manufacturer but are made to fit a range of connections and can often come from uncertain and diverse places around the world. The uncontrolled second-hand market for these pieces of plant adds to the problem.

In addition to the four fatal incidents involving semi-automatic quick hitches, there have been other accidents with manual and automatic types, and similar fatalities that are currently being investigated. There are many different types of quick hitch, but the common theme of all the fatal accidents was a missing retaining pin or bar, which is essential to keep the attachment in place. A quick hitch may continue to operate for some time, but then without warning will swing open or fall off. If this happens when lifting over or close to a person, the result is likely to be fatal.

CDM2007.org has agreed to help the SFfC to communicate the message through its portal. David Jones, Marketing Manager at CDM2007.org, said: “This is a major issue concerning the latching device that enables attachments to be connected to the dipper arm of the plant and changed quickly. Quick hitches are in common use, and can save time when working with excavators.”

“The SFfC is aware of the vast range of second-hand pieces of quick hitch coupling equipment that is readily available from sales outlets, used plant sales and auction yards,” continued David Jones. “Obviously these uncontrolled yet important pieces of link machinery can be worn out or have defects.”

Property teams will now be planning maintenance and capital works for 2009/10, and this will include hazardous operations such as demolitions, excavations and drainage work which will at some point require the use of mechanical excavators.

The SFfC advises the following actions:
· Client officers should ensure they brief the construction team with appropriate information (CDM2007 statutory requirement)
· Corporate Safety Officers could generally impose a temporary ban on the use of all semi-automatic quick-hitch devices on all the projects for their respective client organisations
· Specifying officers could include a clause restricting the use of all semi-automatic quick-hitch devices on their construction projects
· CDM co-ordinators could include respective and appropriate information within the Pre-construction Health and Safety Information (CDM2007 statutory requirement)

CDM2007.org was developed by London Borough of Bromley to provide the learning tools that deliver essential holistic knowledge necessary for construction personnel to meet the government and industry standards redefined by the CDM2007 Regulations.