Devices for Moving Loads
6. SAFETY IN THE HANDLING OF DUMPERS
The name dumper is given to the range of vehicles aimed at transporting light materials, whose main characteristic consists in a skip or similar that can be tipped to unload or dump its contents. The term dumper is not used here to refer to a heavy tonnage dump truck, but rather to the vehicle that might be called a motorised wheelbarrow that can be tipped, used inside and around building works and which generally has the following characteristics:
- It comprises a skip, internal combustion engine and a driving position situated over the back wheels and behind the skip.
- The skip has a load capacity of between 500 and 3000 litres.
- The engine has a power rating of between 10 and 16 HP.
Most important hazards:
- Persons falling onto a different level.
- Persons falling onto the same level.
- Objects falling due to collapsing or landslide; objects falling when being handled; objects that have come loose falling.
- Knocks, crashes or the driver or the dumper itself getting trapped against into fixed or moving objects.
- Becoming trapped due to machines or vehicles overturning.
- Direct or indirect electrical Contacts.
- Exposure to noxious substances.
- Fire or explosion.
- Being run over or hit by vehicles.
- Traffic accidents.
Preventive measures:
- To be handled by authorised personnel only.
- Before turning the ignition key or the crank handle, make sure that the machine is in neutral gear.
- Passenger are not to be transported on the dumper.
