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Worker Killed - Skanska bans semi-automatic quick hitches

May, 11 2009

(London, U.K.)  --  Skanska is the first UK contractor to ban all existing semi-automatic and some automatic excavator quick hitches from its sites.

This decision comes after investigations into an accident on a Skanska UK site in December last year, when a bucket became detached from an excavator and struck a carpenter tragically resulting in fatal injuries.

The ban applies to semi-automatic and automatic excavator quick hitches that do not lock onto both pins of the bucket and comes into force,  1 November.

Greg Craig, managing director of Skanska UK’s civil engineering business, said: “We have decided to drive a change into our supply chain in response to a very serious issue that has plagued our industry. We hope other contractors will follow.”

Harold Sheridan, 58, was killed on the £211m Docklands Light Railway extension job after being hit on the head by a digger bucket. British Transport Police are currently investigating the case.

Skanska said it would now require all excavators fitted with automatic quick hitches to use the new generation twin locking devices. This equipment locks both the pins of the bucket.

The ban has been delayed until November to allow plant hirers time to switch to the new generation of quick hitches.

During the interim period, Skanska plans to start a proactive training programme in the safe use of existing quick hitch equipment.

By Aaron Morby

















Source: www.contractjournal.com