When dangerous equipment, a hazardous process, or substance or a dangerous procedure has been identified which could likely cause significant harm, and it is felt that immediate remedial action is required, HSE will issue a Safety Alert to businesses.
What is the issue?
HSE have issued such an alert regarding the Saturnus EV 40, 45 & 50 Scissor Lift manufactured between 2014 and 2018, as it has been placed on the latest public product safety database recommending that it should not be used. The manufacturer has identified a potential weakness in a weld on the scissor lifts and this has meant that the product no longer complies with the Supply of Machinery Regulations 2008.
How to fix this
To put this right, the manufacturer is providing a kit to be fitted to the scissor lift, and informed users that the lift should still be capable of operating with loads which do not exceed 3.5 tonnes, until the kit has been fitted. However, whilst waiting for a kit to be fitted a lift rated for 4.5 tonnes catastrophically failed with a load of only 2.5 tonne.
HSE’s response to this failure is to inform all end users that they should STOP USING this type of scissor lift immediately until they have had the manufacturer’s kit fitted.
To view the report on the Product Safety Database go to page 3 of the PSD Product Safety Report 51 (PDF).
This might be a good time to review risk assessments regarding the use of any lifting equipment and ensure that all lifting equipment is being properly maintained and inspected to the required regimen.
If this alert has raised questions or you need to discuss any other health & safety related issue do not hesitate to contact Kingfisher for advice.