BY INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERING GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION, IPAF IS DETERMINED TO MAKE THE USE OF SPREADER PLATES A STANDARD METHOD OF OPERATION
and by offering a range of guidance and information on its website, IPAF is determined to make the use of spreader plates a standard method of operation. “I can’t see anybody putting
forward a reasonable argument against the use of spreader plates,” says Walker. To make the initiative work at site
level will involve everyone associated with the job – from senior management to the operator on the ground. It will also require commitment from the hire companies, the contractors and the manufacturers. In particular it is important that
manufacturers agree to start using the same units of downforce that their machines impose on the ground, instead of the many different units of measurement currently in use in operator manuals and on machine stickers, which can be confusing for operatives on site. “It’s vital that we get manufacturers on
although they should never be scaffold boards, or they can be specifi cally designed and manufactured from aluminium or various plastics and resins. In each case, the provider of the spreader
plate has to take into account the manual handling aspect of their use. Can one person safely lift the plate on to the machine? Do they have handles?
Our panel
For machines where the outriggers go out diagonally, is there a shoe design to prevent the outrigger foot sliding off the plate as the machine is lifted? Ground conditions also vary. Even the
same site can have differing materials, making it hard to specify a one size fi ts all approach to spreader plates. By increasing awareness of the issue
board,” says Wraith, “and that manufacturers continue to lead by example when they demonstrate their equipment and show it in their publicity material.” IPAF is confi dent that with increased
exposure and by providing the right information to all levels, it will be possible to spread the word on spreader plates, allowing operators of mobile elevating work platforms to ‘spread the load’ on site. ■
Chris Wraith IPAF technical offi cer
18 | POWERED ACCESS 2012
Peter Walker Health, safety and training manager for the British Constructional Steelwork Association
Gordon Leicester Managing director of Facelift Access Hire
Paul Thomas Specialist inspector for the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)