MAJOR CONTRACTORS LAY DOWN THE LAW ON QUICKHITCH SAFETY
Two of the UK’s major contractors, Balfour Beatty Utilities Solutions and Skanska UK, have announced deadlines for their sub-contractors and machinery suppliers to comply with their approved list of hydraulic excavator quickhitches.
From October 1 2009 machines of 8-tonne capacity and above (including backhoe-loaders) will not be permitted to operate unless they are fitted with an approved ‘double-locking’ automatic hitch. Semi-automatic and manual hitches, along with direct-fit buckets will not be permitted.
This is the latest development in the ongoing campaign within the industry to reduce quickhitch-related accidents, prompted by four fatalities in the UK over the last 3 years.
Harford are pleased to confirm that the new I-Lock hydraulic hitch has full approval from Balfour Beatty, and is, we believe, the safest commercially available hitch worldwide. Not only does it achieve double locking, it does so with instantaneous engagement and full independent control of the safety device. No other hitch has these two features, which raise I-Lock to a new level of on-site safety.
