Telehandler overturned - 22 April 2020

A worker suffered cuts and bruises when his telehandler overturned as it was lifting a 650kg piling cage, while located across a sloping driveway.

Resting place of telehandler

Safety information

Telehandlers are generally used with fork tynes. If allowed by the manufacturer, other attachments, such as bale grabs, buckets, work platforms, lifting hooks and crane jibs can be used.

The correct attachment must be used for the task. For example, tynes must not be used to freely suspend a load.

When travelling with a load, the load should be as close to the ground as possible, and the boom retracted.

A freely suspended load affects the stability of a telehandler, due to the raised boom and swinging load. Instability is even greater when working on a slope as the load swings further from the point it is connected to the telehandler.

When lifting a load with a telehandler, make sure:

  • you follow the telehandler operating instructions
  • the telehandler has the appropriate attachments for the task
  • you know the maximum slope for operating the telehandler, and its limitations
  • you assess the slope of the ground
  • you don’t travel across the slope, unless within the limits of the telehandler
  • you use ground support, if required, to maintain stability
  • you use percentage deration charts when working on a slope
  • you use exclusion zones.

Operator licences

If the telehandler has a capacity greater than three tonne and is configured as a crane, you must have a high-risk work licence – non slewing crane (CN class) or a slewing mobile crane licence.

If the telehandler has a capacity less than three tonne, you must be trained and competent in operating the telehandler and attachments.

To use a slewing telehandler, with a slewing limit greater than five degrees, you must have a high-risk crane licence – C0, C1, C2 or C6.

If the telehandler is used as a work platform, with a boom length of 11 metres or more, you must have a high-risk work licence – elevated work platform (WP class). If the boom is less than 11 metres, you must be trained and competent in operating the telehandler and attachments.

More information

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