TerraTrain Frequently Asked Questions

Approved Code of Practice and guidance (ACOP)

Approved by the Health and Safety Commission, with the consent of the Secretary of State. It gives practical advice on how to comply with the law. If you follow the advice you will be doing enough to comply with the law in respect of those specific matters on which the Code gives advice. You may use alternative methods to those set out in the Code in order to comply with the law. However, the Code has special legal status. If you are prosecuted for breach of health and safety law, and it is proved that you did not follow the relevant provisions of the Code, you will need to show that you have complied with the law in some other way or a court will find you at fault.

HSE guidance

(HSG) does not form part of the ACOP. Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice.

Roll over protective structure (ROPS)

Designed to minimise risk of injury if the machine is tipped over. Cabs can often provide other protection such as protection from falling objects - Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS).

Restraining systems

Where seatbelts are fitted on vehicles they must be used by the operator to prevent risk of injury.

CE Marking

All new equipment will be marked ‘CE’ this identifies that the machine conforms to the European Safety, technical & environmental standards.

Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regs (PUWER 98)

Cover all work equipment in use this will range from a hammer to large mobile Plant. Static equipment and machinery are also included within these comprehensive regulations. The regulation requires only trained and competent staff should operate plant & equipment.

Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regs (LOLER 98)

Cover all legal requirements of operations and equipment. Equipment thoroughly examined every 12 months. Lifting Accessories thoroughly examined every 6 months. Lifting equipment or accessories used for lifting persons must be thoroughly examined every 6 months.

Proximity Hazards

This is a collective name for hazards that you may find in the vicinity of the working area of the machine. These could be cables, trenches or people just to name a few.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Revised in 2002 these regulations cover all substances used in industry. COSHH assessments will explain about the substance, the precautions that you will need to take, any PPE that you will require. Emergency procedures will also be explained in case of an accident with the substance.

Site requirements

Staff and visitors will need to be inducted to new sites, identifying hazards and site specific procedures. Visitors may be escorted on larger sites but all need to have sufficient PPE as required by the site. The site will need to display Liability insurance, health & safety notice. Under CDM regulation some sites may need notifying to the HSE (F10) before work starts.

Cycles of operation

This is the time that it to load a bucket with soil – dump – back to start of operation. Production is geared around short cycles of operation for efficient use of machines.

Environmental Protection Act

This act covers all aspects of the environment. A main consideration for plant operator is that they do not cause unnecessary pollution. Care must be taken with all oils and fuels used in conjunction with the machine. As part of the work often material needs to be removed from site this may be contaminated or just excess. Waste transfer notes will have to be completed when this happens. The main points on such documentation are what the material is, where it is from, & where it is going. It is an offence if such documentation does not accompany waste.