New lorry loader cranes must be fitted with an interlocking system (or an equivalent engineering solution) to prevent the crane operating without stabilisers being employed, warns the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

This is to comply with The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992.

This warning follows 12 incidents over the last five years. This includes one fatality. Lorry loader cranes rely on the lorry chassis for support and are often powered from the lorry engine.

The cranes have stabilisers that need to be deployed to deal with the risks from overturning when lifting heavy loads. Interlocking systems or other engineering solutions will prevent the cranes from being used, unless the stabilisers are deployed or reduce the cranes lifting capacity if the stabilisers are down but not extended.

In order to deal with this risk, HSE has been meeting with the Association of Lorry Loaders Manufacturers and Importers (ALLMI) to find a solution to this problem.

HSE has made it clear to all ALLMI that new lorry loader cranes must be fitted with a suitable safety device to deal with the risks of overturning.

Interlocks that prevent cranes from being used unless the unit is effectively stabilised have been available as optional extras for several years. Some plant owners have already fitted these devices to their lorry loader fleets.