HSE issues Genie Z-135/70 safety alert

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety alert stating that all Genie Z-135/70 booms must be calibrated correctly and those that have not been should be removed from service.

The advice comes during the HSE’s investigation into the collapse of a Z-135/70 belonging to Kimberly Access at one of its depots close to London, UK, in June last year. The operator died as a result of the incident.

It follows a statement from the HSE in January, in which it confirmed it was currently basing its investigations on the calibration of the machine in question.

“The emerging findings from the HSE indicate that the operational stability of a Z-135/70 may be compromised by the incorrect measurement of the boom angle sensors,” says the latest statement.

It adds that the boom “became unstable and overturned whilst it was working at or very close to its maximum height. In order to minimise the risks of overturn, the machine safety devices and sensors must be configured as per manufacturer’s settings, as prescribed by the manufacturer in their Safety Bulletin 130005 dated 29th July 2013.

“Any machines for which the required calibration checks have not been completed should be removed from service. Following the completion of checks, the machines should continue to be inspected, serviced and maintained as per the manufacturer’s requirements.

“Work regarding the manufacturer’s safety notice should only be carried out in accordance with the recommendations in the machine service manual i.e. on firm level ground, with suitable environmental conditions etc.

"Prior to any functional checks being undertaken by an operator using the platform controls, as part of the manufacturer’s listed inspections, calibration of the angle sensors should be confirmed from ground level using an inclinometer. The use of test weights might also be appropriate."