Falls from height still causing concern

In the motor transport sector the story is even worse, with 38% of all reportable injuries related to manual handling. So while handling related injuries are significant in all industries the road transport sector has even more work to do to improve its safety record. The simplest and most effective way to reduce the risk of this type of injury is to eliminate the need for manual handling by changing the processes involved and providing employees with suitable load handling equipment.

In the road transport industry a further 35% of all reportable injuries were caused by slips, trips and falls from height. This includes falls from delivery and service vehicles. Incidents like this can be avoided by removing the need to approach or climb on a vehicle. Provision of appropriate load handling equipment is one possible solution.

While there may be a temptation to think that injuries are not going to happen there is another way of looking at the HSE figures: an accident or injury caused by manual handling or a slip, trip or fall is much more likely than one caused by fire or electric shock which have historically been taken far more seriously.

Often the simplest way to reduce the risk of an accident and resulting injury is to remove the potential cause. Providing employees with a crane on their vehicles is a good place to start. Manufacturers such as Penny Hydraulics continue to play their part by adding new features that promote safety and make it easier for operators to specify and install their products.

Penny Hydraulics is delighted to announce the launch of their new range of fully hydraulic PH Cranes at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2015. Introduced to meet the needs of the 1 to 18 tonne UK commercial vehicle market, the PH Crane range offers over 470 lightweight, user-friendly and innovative models. The range has between 0,5 and 5 tm lifting capacity with boom reaches up to 6.83 metres. A variety of optional extras and accessories are available including full stability control, high speed hoists and radio remote controls.

Penny Hydraulics, founded in 1978, has grown to become the UK’s leading manufacturer of load handling equipment for commercial vehicles. These products are serviced and supported by a nationwide network of engineers who carry OEM parts and have specialist knowledge of their products and the far reaching implications of health and safety. The service team is supported by an in-house team of designers, applications engineers and technical experts. Their accumulated knowledge provides insight into the market and the requirements of individual customers. Existing product ranges include Swing Lift cranes, V and FV hydraulic cranes and the Load Lift, Side Lift and Tail Lift loading platform ranges for use on pick-ups, drop-sides and vans as well as their own range of electric winches.

Through its membership of organisations including ISO and B.S Committees, SMMT and ALLMI, Penny Hydraulics is well placed to understand the challenges and issues facing all load handling equipment users. The four Company Directors are closely involved with the industry and actively participate on the bodies that agree standards and safety legislation. This has given the company a unique insight that enables it to deliver excellence to the industries it serves.

The formal launch of Penny Hydraulics new range of PH Cranes will be taking place at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham between 14^th and 16^th April, 2015. Penny Hydraulics can be found on stand 5H120, Hall 5.