EXECUTIVE REPORT
CanTrack showed various machines protected by its tracking devices.
SEE US ON STAND A58
Keep safe and secure
Nick Johnson reports from the recent CPA Conference where the topics discussed included lifting with excavators and how to tackle fraud and plant theft.
The CPA Conference provided much information relevant to hire companies. Of particular interest was a report on the work being carried out to update the Association’s guidance on how to lift legally and safely with excavators. Its Technical Consultant, Tim Watson, said that the existing guidance, ‘Lifting with Excavators’, is a short document, first published in 2008 and last revised a year later. The comprehensive revision will include more information on the planning of such operations, the correct selection of excavators and backhoe loaders to be used, and more detailed advice for supervisors and operating personnel. In addition to covering suspended loads, the expanded guidance will include information on the correct use of pallet fork attachments.
As indicated to the delegates, there will be coloured matrix diagrams to show whether lifts with excavators should be classed as Basic, Intermediate or Complex. Lifting complexity increases due to both load and environmental factors, and the need for more detailed planning and greater supervision rises accordingly. In addition to providing a full guidance document, it is planned to produce an abridged version highlighting the key points for use by machine operators and site supervisors, while work is also underway to create a toolbox talk for delivery to site workers.
The Conference also discussed the problem of plant theft. Headline sponsor, CanTrack, provided information on its latest systems to deter thieves and to monitor equipment. The event also included a substantial session entitled ‘Prevention of Loss’. This began with Detective Constable Julian Crabb of the Metropolitan Police describing his work with PANIU (the Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit) that is funded by the insurance industry.
Whilst acknowledging the big contribution made to fight plant theft by the increased use of the CESAR (Construction Equipment
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Security and Registration) scheme developed by Datatag ID, DC Crabb called on hire companies to carry out more comprehensive checks on new customers seeking to hire machines and equipment. He said it is important that images and personal details are obtained if an unknown person visits a depot. Submitted company data should be carefully scrutinised and the police should be advised if any suspicious activity is detected, including drones flying over a depot - they could be carrying out aerial reconnaissance for a future plant theft.
DC Crabb stated that, if you have any item of plant or equipment stolen, it is essential to report it immediately and to obtain a crime reference number. The police need as much information as possible including the make, model, description, machine, engine and fleet numbers and, if registered, the CESAR number. Also important is when and where the item was stolen and details of any possible suspects.
Delegates were given an insight into the forthcoming guidance on lifting with excavators.
Cyber-crime is also growing and plant hire companies should
be alert to the risks of ‘phishing’ emails which have attachments that can send a Trojan virus to a computer. Another threat is DDOS (distributed denial of service) against a company website, whereby criminals bombard a website with millions of requests to crash it before demanding a ransom to stop the attack. Delegates were advised that companies and individuals should protect their computers from Crypto Locker (which requires a ransom to unlock the machine), malware which infects first a PC and then the network, and, worst of all, key loggers that record keyboard strokes in order to access personal data and identify passwords. DC Crabb recommends going to the Action Fraud website,
www.actionfraud.police.uk, to report problems and to learn about different types of fraud.
• 020 7796 3366
www.cpa.uk.net
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