Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: zirk on 13 April 2013, 15:19:26
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Well yesterday actually, should have been a simple task, turn up, prepare equipment, tools, PPE etc to access a 6m Comms Structure on top of a 5 storey building.
All going to plan up at around 70ft in the hired Cherry Picker Bucket, weathers good, slight wind, nearly finished the task when suddenly it feels like Bucket floor is moving at an angle under my feet of its own accord!, first thing Im thinking mechanical failure, but checked my controls just in case something is caught or pushing one of the levers, bucket is still moving at an angle now quiet badly now, forcing me against the guard rails, again thinking this mechanical failure,the Bucket shouldn't be doing this, so time to get to the ground asap!
As Im getting closer to the ground about half way now, the bucket is at 45 degrees off to where it should be, which is not easy to control when you need hands on the levers and one foot on the start peddle, tools and bits starting to fall out the bucket now, eventually land the the machine on the deck and what feels like Im almost out of the Bucket myself, phew!
On inspection it turns out severe hydraulic failure, with hydraulic fluid pissing out every where, Pics below,some showing worn hoses!!.
Not a Happy Bunny at that time, but suppose on reflection it could have been a lot worse!
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/zirk-photos/DSC02700.jpg) (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/zirk-photos/media/DSC02700.jpg.html)
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/zirk-photos/DSC02702.jpg) (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/zirk-photos/media/DSC02702.jpg.html)
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/zirk-photos/DSC02694.jpg) (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/zirk-photos/media/DSC02694.jpg.html)
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/zirk-photos/DSC02697.jpg) (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/zirk-photos/media/DSC02697.jpg.html)
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/zirk-photos/DSC02708.jpg) (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/zirk-photos/media/DSC02708.jpg.html)
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Bloody hell,I bet you clenched on the way down,seriously though,lucky escape :y
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lack of maintenance they could get done for that hireing out machines in a dangerous condition thats bad and you wrer very lucky
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this weeks 5p-50p bum dance award winner
:o
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Bloody hell,I bet you clenched on the way down,seriously though,lucky escape :y
Was saving that, once on the ground! ;)
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One of those OH! FREAK moments ;D ;D ;D ;D
Glad it turned out OKeh :y
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lack of maintenance they could get done for that hireing out machines in a dangerous condition thats bad and you wrer very lucky
By Law, there given inspection and a fit for work Certificate every 6 months, part of my walk around pre use is to check the Cert, it was Feb 2013! :-\
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LOL, bit of a hairy ride there mate. At least you had the good sense to get yourself down safely. Unfortunately some of these machines tend to freeze up when something like this happens which is the last thing you'd want in this scenario. Hope you had you r harness on properly etc. Someone will be getting their balls well toasted over this I'd say!!
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:o
Must have been hairy scary , those pipes look chafed :-\
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that is exactaly why the company i used too work for went out and brought their own (van mount not much change from £ 50,000) but a least it was serviced properly and looked after...the hire company pickers are dyer...they either failed to start or conked out half way through the job,and hss used to get right arsey if you refused a picker due to safety issuses
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Glad you got to the floor OK. :y :y
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this weeks 5p-50p bum dance award winner
:o
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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LOL, bit of a hairy ride there mate. At least you had the good sense to get yourself down safely. Unfortunately some of these machines tend to freeze up when something like this happens which is the last thing you'd want in this scenario. Hope you had you r harness on properly etc. Someone will be getting their balls well toasted over this I'd say!!
Yep, Yep, Yep and Yes! ;)
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LOL, bit of a hairy ride there mate. At least you had the good sense to get yourself down safely. Unfortunately some of these machines tend to freeze up when something like this happens which is the last thing you'd want in this scenario. Hope you had you r harness on properly etc. Someone will be getting their balls well toasted over this I'd say!!
Yep, Yep, Yep and Yes! ;)
health & saftey need intorming
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LOL, bit of a hairy ride there mate. At least you had the good sense to get yourself down safely. Unfortunately some of these machines tend to freeze up when something like this happens which is the last thing you'd want in this scenario. Hope you had you r harness on properly etc. Someone will be getting their balls well toasted over this I'd say!!
Yep, Yep, Yep and Yes! ;)
health & saftey need intorming
no they don't why involve those nazi's, any landing you can walk away from is a good landing..... :y ;D
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kinnell!!!!!! you were lucky mate. glad you got out ok :y :y :y :y
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mind you you would'nt get me 70 ft up 6ft 4" is my limit ;D
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mind you you would'nt get me 70 ft up 6ft 4" is my limit ;D
Quite ::)
Hope you bought a lottery ticket on the way home :y
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LOL, bit of a hairy ride there mate. At least you had the good sense to get yourself down safely. Unfortunately some of these machines tend to freeze up when something like this happens which is the last thing you'd want in this scenario. Hope you had you r harness on properly etc. Someone will be getting their balls well toasted over this I'd say!!
Yep, Yep, Yep and Yes! ;)
health & saftey need intorming
no they don't why involve those nazi's, any landing you can walk away from is a good landing..... :y ;D
Classed as a 'near miss', it should be reported.
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i think i'd report to health and safety....imagine if you didn't and 6 months later you read a story about somebody falling from a machine hired from the same place ..you'd never forgive yourself.. :-\
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Whoever signed that machine off needs removing from a position of responsibility before he kills someone, that's why it needs reporting. ???
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LOL, bit of a hairy ride there mate. At least you had the good sense to get yourself down safely. Unfortunately some of these machines tend to freeze up when something like this happens which is the last thing you'd want in this scenario. Hope you had you r harness on properly etc. Someone will be getting their balls well toasted over this I'd say!!
Yep, Yep, Yep and Yes! ;)
health & saftey need intorming
no they don't why involve those nazi's, any landing you can walk away from is a good landing..... :y ;D
Classed as a 'near miss', it should be reported.
It was reported within mins of me getting my feet back on the ground to the local manager responsible for on site Contractors, along with my views and concerns. :y
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i think i'd report to health and safety....imagine if you didn't and 6 months later you read a story about somebody falling from a machine hired from the same place ..you'd never forgive yourself.. :-\
This has been playing on my mind this weekend actually. Im back there this week to Commission and Sign Off my work (Switch On and Hand Over to the Radio Comms side of things etc).
Its just not a case of me or someone turning up and away we go, the whole process goes through a series of procedures that I have to do, pre Site Survey, written Method Statement, Working Detail and Risk Assessment including PPE used and controlled Risks etc, which is then submitted and approved.
Prior to the working day more checks, HSE forms, MEW Licences, Permit to work etc, Working Area checked and Escape Plans made etc, all quiet stringent, although my Job is Comms Engineer, I am quiet experienced and qualified as a MEWP Operator and have a lot of hours and years on them but as you say would hate to thinkthat someone in the future come unstuck on the same or simular Machine!
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You simply have to report it, Zirk. As far as I can see, you have a duty of care.
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Reported as a 'Near Miss' to iPaf. :y
The Hire company is also a iPaf member, so will be interesting if it gets reported from there end, which I found out today is a mandatory report procedure as from 1st Jan 2013 from there point of view.