PORTLAND STONE LIMITED

PS/HSEQ/0038
Standard Operating Procedure for the Loading & Unloading Skips/Grab

Introduction

This Portland Stone procedure deals with the loading and tipping of skips/grab. The purpose
of this document is to help ensure that these operations are undertaken in a safe and orderly
manner. This procedure is not to use in lieu of formal training in the safe operation of any
Skip/Grab loader used in the Portland Stone Fleet.

This procedure does take account of the information contained in the Container Handling
Equipment Manufactures Association (CHEM) Code of Practice for the safe operation of
Skip/Grab loaders.

The operations of Skip/Grab loaders come under the requirements of the Lifting Operations
and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. This procedure seeks to ensure that Portland Stone
remain compliant with those regulations while also keeping all persons safe.

Scope

This procedure is for the internal use of Portland Stone Ltd Only and no liability No liability
howsoever caused will be accepted by the author of this document or by any Portland Stone
agents for the interpretation of the contents on any other site under any circumstances.

The types of materials contained within any skip are specially excluded from this procedure
because they are addressed in other parts of the Portland Stone Health, Safety and
Environmental Management System.

The periodic Health & Safety checks that are carried out on the vehicle including daily checks
by drivers are also specifically excluded from this process.

General Considerations

All Portland Stone drivers must be familiar with the operation of the Skip/Grab loaders and
shall have been assed in the Safe operation of the equipment within the previous 5 Years.
Details of all formal assessments in the use of this equipment are maintained on individual
personnel files.

The handbrake must be applied prior to any operation being carried out.

Under no circumstances are the rated axle loads, or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the
vehicle to be exceeded.

The driver is to ensure that all onlookers are kept at a safe distance away from the vehicle
during all operations.

Prior to the commencement of any operation the driver is to always ensure:

There is sufficient space between the side of the vehicle and any obstruction. This is
to prevent the operator being trapped should the vehicle lurch sideways whilst it is
being leveled on the stabilizers or lifting a container.

There are no overhead power lines or other overhead obstructions. If any do exist in
the area the lifting operation must not be undertaken under any circumstances.
Failure to comply with this requirement could result in Death through electrocution

That the lifting lugs and tip bars have not been subject to damage

The equipment is designed to operate with the engine running at as low a speed as possible
and the auto throttle has been set accordingly. Readjustment of the throttle is not allowed

Prepared for Portland Stone by Page 1 of 4 March 2014

David S Burt CEnv CMIOSH MIEMA MIIRSM Approved by Mr D .Nash
IEMA Registered Principal Environmental Auditor Managing Director
 PORTLAND STONE LIMITED
PS/HSEQ/0038
Standard Operating Procedure for the Loading & Unloading Skips/Grab

under any circumstances and will be regarded as gross misconduct that could lead to
disciplinary action being taken against any individual (s) involved.
To prevent potential long term hearing loss, all Portland Stone operatives are advised to wear
ear protectors when any lifts are taking place. Ear defenders are available for the Stores at
the Portland Stone Yard on a free issue basis.

Given the fact that the delivery and collection of a significant number of skips/Grab loads
takes place on the public highway or on areas designated as construction sites, all skip/grab
drivers are required to wear a Hi-Visibility jacket during all lifting and lowering operations.
These are also available as a free issue item from the Stores at the Portland Stone Yard.

Before the vehicle is driven, loads must be checked by the driver to ensure that they are as
stable as possible and properly sheeted/netted.

When required to drive the vehicle without a skip/load, the chains must be stowed with the
keep plates or lift hooks located on the hooks provided.

Procedure When Loading a Skip/Grab

1. Check to ensure that the skip/grab is in a good state of repair and the lifting lugs are
suitable for the chain assemblies fitted to the vehicle

2. Check the ground at the rear of the vehicle in the area of the stabilizers is to be
confirmed as being firm and free from obvious obstructions like drain covers, soft
ground, obvious services etc if necessary spreader plates must be used.

3. Reverse the vehicle so that the stabilizers are either side of the skip or position the
Vehicle closest to the heap where safe to do so.

4. Apply the handbrake and chock the front wheels if necessary

Note: The handbrake of the vehicle is only effective when the rear wheels are
firmly in contact with the ground. As a result of this the following precautions
must be taken when lifting any skip:

When any lift of a skip/grab is to take place on any inclined ground the front
wheels are to be blocked with chocks.

Where the above cannot be achieved the lifting operation must not be undertaken.
This restriction is necessary to prevent any sudden or unplanned movement of the
vehicle that could lead to personal injury or property damage.

5. Prior to attempting to lift any filled skip/grab the load must be appropriately covered
with sheeting or netting (the method used will be determined by the nature of the load
being in the skip or on the ground)

6. Engage the PTO

7. The vehicles stabilizers must then be lowered and the vehicle leveled.

8. Lower the lift arms until there is sufficient slack in the chains to allow for the
connection of the four lifting plates or lift hooks onto the skip. Using the levers grab
The material into the vehicle.

9. Operate the lifting controls so that the tension in each of the chains is taken up while
also ensuring that the keep plates remain located on the lifting lugs

Prepared for Portland Stone by Page 2 of 4 March 2014

David S Burt CEnv CMIOSH MIEMA MIIRSM Approved by Mr D .Nash
IEMA Registered Principal Environmental Auditor Managing Director
 PORTLAND STONE LIMITED
PS/HSEQ/0038
Standard Operating Procedure for the Loading & Unloading Skips/Grab

10. Once satisfied that the keep plates or lift hooks are securely in place, operate the lift
controls and lift the skip onto the bed of the vehicle and position it against the skip
stops

11. Raise the stabilizers to the fully retracted position and then disengage the
PTO.

12. Remove the chocks from under the front wheels

The vehicle is now ready to drive off.

Procedure to Tip Load

1. Check the ground at the rear/side of the vehicle in the area of the stabilizers is to be
confirmed as being firm and free from obvious obstructions like drain covers, soft
ground, obvious services etc if necessary spreader plates must be used.

2. Apply the handbrake and chock the front wheels if necessary

3. Engage the PTO

4. The vehicles stabilizers must then be lowered and the vehicle leveled.

5. Operate the lifting levers to lift the skip from the vehicle until the tip hooks pick up
with the skip tip bars. Before proceeding to tip ensure that both tip hooks are
securely engaged with the skip tip bars. The grab is the same procedure; however
you must extend the hiab arm in order to tip the load then open tailgate in order to
tip your load.

6 Continue tipping until the skip/body is empty.

During this operation the lip of the skip must not touch the ground

7. When the load has been fully tipped, operate the lift controls and lift the skip onto the
bed of the vehicle and position it against the skip stops. With reference the grab same
Procedure however lower the body carefully & lower hiab arm back into the body.

8. Once satisfied that the keep plates or lift hooks are securely in place, operate the lift
controls and lift the skip onto the bed of the vehicle and position it against the skip
stops

9. Raise the stabilizers to the fully retracted position and then disengage the
PTO.

10. Remove the chocks from under the front wheels

The vehicle is now ready to drive off.

Procedure to Offload Skip (not Grab)

1. Check the ground at the rear of the vehicle in the area of the stabilizers is to be
confirmed as being firm and free from obvious obstructions like drain covers, soft
ground, obvious services etc if necessary spreader plates must be used.

2. Apply the handbrake and chock the front wheels if necessary

3. Engage the PTO

Prepared for Portland Stone by Page 3 of 4 March 2014

David S Burt CEnv CMIOSH MIEMA MIIRSM Approved by Mr D .Nash
IEMA Registered Principal Environmental Auditor Managing Director
 PORTLAND STONE LIMITED
PS/HSEQ/0038
Standard Operating Procedure for the Loading & Unloading Skips/Grab

4. The vehicles stabilizers must then be lowered and the vehicle leveled.

5. Lower the tip hooks making sure they are fully down before proceeding

6. Use the lifting levers to operate the lifting arms, raise the skip from the bed of the
vehicle and place on the ground at the rear of the vehicle
7. When the skip is on the ground continue to operate the lifting leavers to provide
sufficient slackness in the chains to enable the keep plates or lifting hooks to be
removed from the lifting lugs.

8. Disconnect the keep plates and stow on the hooks provided on the Skip loader

9. Raise the lift arms until they are fully retracted

10. Raise the stabilizers to the fully retracted position and then disengage the PTO.

11. Remove the chocks from under the front wheels

The vehicle is now ready to drive off.

Additional Precautions

All deliveries and collections of skips/grab to customers will only take place where the above
conditions are met. This will help to ensure that the subsequent lifting operations can be
carried out in a safe manner in accordance with this procedure.

Further Information & Guidance

Further information or guidance on the contents of this procedure can be obtained directly
from the author of this document or from the Portland Stone Managing Director.

Document History:

Issue Date Comments

Draft March 2014 Draft 1 issued for Comment

1 March 2014 1st Issue

Prepared for Portland Stone by Page 4 of 4 March 2014

David S Burt CEnv CMIOSH MIEMA MIIRSM Approved by Mr D .Nash
IEMA Registered Principal Environmental Auditor Managing Director