SAFETY ALERT:

Posted: Tuesday 11th, February 2014

SAFETY ALERT: Genie Z135/70 Mobile Elevated Work Platform
Issued – 10 February 2014
Introduction This safety alert is to advise owners and users of actions they need to
take to control risks associated with the Genie Z135/70 Mobile Elevated Work
Platform (MEWP). It follows an incident where an operator was killed when a
Genie Z135/70 became unstable and overturned whilst it was working at or very
close to its maximum height. Background To prevent the Z135/70 operating
outside its stability limits, the on-board control system monitors the elevation of
the secondary boom to prevent it from telescoping outwards until its elevation is
sufficient, as required by the manufacturer (greater than or equal to 75.5°). The
on-board control system relies on correct setting of the elevation of each boom to
maintain the operational stability of the machine. The manufacturer issued a
Safety Notice on 29th July 2013, which required immediate removal of all
Z135/70 MEWP’s from service until listed inspections had been performed.
Emerging findings from the HSE indicate that Genie Z135/70 operational stability
may be compromised by incorrect measurement of the boom angle sensors.
Action required
•Any machines for which the required calibration checks have not been completed
should be removed from service
•The manufacturer’s safety notice should be followed.
LINK: Genie Safety Bulletin 130005 29th July 2013
•If you contract in such equipment, draw the contractor’s attention to this notice
and ask them to confirm that the equipment is suitably calibrated.
•Following the completion of checks, the machines should continue to be
inspected, serviced and maintained as per the manufacturer’s requirements.
•Work regarding the manufacturer’s safety notice should only be carried out in
accordance with the recommendations in the machine service manual i.e. on firm
level ground, with suitable environmental conditions etc.
•Prior to any functional checks being undertaken by an operator using the platform
controls, as part of the manufacturer’s listed inspections, calibration of the angle
sensors should be confirmed from ground level using an inclinometer. The use of
test weights might also be appropriate.
References - HSE Alert page