Capital Acquisition Is A Partnership

TOM KERR from Conundrum Holdings provides some advice to those looking to purchase a sales loader.

ARE you looking to purchase new plant or machinery? Under the Victorian OHS Regulations designers, manufacturers, suppliers and employers who use plant all have a duty to ensure that any risk associated with that plant is eliminated so far as is reasonably practicable.

The employer should also consult with the plant operator through the acquisition process to better understand the requirements of the task and work towards meeting the operators expectations.

The Regulations outline a series of factors that need to be taken into account including guarding, operator controls, emergency stops, warning devices, electrical safety, roll-over protection and safe working limits. Add to this operator access, provisions for servicing and other considerations and you begin to end up with a pretty substantial list.

You should also take into account known site specific requirements such as handling flammable or toxic materials.

The following list suggests items that you might request from the supplier of a sales loader which will assist you in meeting your safety obligations with your next purchase or upgrade.

Other factors that should be made available to the supplier include material type and density, non material handling duties, hours of work and stockpile layout.

Make sure you contact your equipment supplier to determine if your warranty is voided if you conduct any modifications to the plant yourself. If you have any additional issues please contact the CMPA.

SALES LOADER CHECKLIST (Safety Items are highlighted)
Specific Documentation

• Lube specification list
• Filter and belt parts list
• Teeth, shrouds, side cutters, pins, retainer’s parts list (OHS listing, e.g., weights) and heel plate dimensions
• Bio degradable oil options and recommendations
• Full break down on decals installed, size, colour and positioning
• Hands free CB communication manuals, type/model/serial number
• AM/FM manuals, type/model/serial no.
• Reversing camera, type/model/serial no.
• Loadrite manuals, type/model/serial no.
• Auto greaser manuals, type/model/serial no.
• Cab Vac manuals, type/model/serial no.
• Safety struts/pins on loader arms, Engineers Computation Certificate
• Access upgrade, Engineers Computation Certificate
• Rops, Engineers Computation Certificate
• Wheel Chock, Engineers Computation Certificate
• Alarm seat belt manuals
• Operators seat manuals
• Reverse alarm manuals
• Flashing beacon manuals
• List of safety systems to be supplied with machine
• MSDS on all fluids
• Protocols for unit disposal
• Waste fluid disposal protocols
• Compound make up of pins and bushes and their service life

Running Costs

• Machine fit for purpose investigation
• Service Contract Agreement – including new cabin air filters each service
• Rebuild component costs and required hours over 16,000 hours
• Proven resale value of machine at 2,000 hour intervals up to 20,000 hours
• Engine/transmission/convertor protection monitoring systems, auto shut down written guarantee
• Warranty terms and conditions
• Break down support guarantee

Equivalent Loader Environmental and Production Comparison

• Cabin air quality/pressure readings
• Fuel consumption and fuel efficiency
• Cabin and external noise emissions (cabin dosimeter readings N/A)
• Exhaust emission/engine tier level
• Seat vibration levels meeting ISO standards
• Statistical information, size, capacity, power, breakout force etc.
• All items must meet the relevant standards

OHS Compliance – Purchasing

• Operator’s manual x 3/ parts manual x 2/ workshop manual x 1
• Proof of maintenance of these programs
• Machine operator induction/hand over training with manual supplied, including digital photos of operators inserted
• Risk assessment document is to be of industry standard and to comply with all relevant standards
• Risk assessment on handover and Machine operator induction training and auditing program
• Risk assessment on all on site tasks the unit is required to do
• Hazard Risk assessments on all set service tasks
• Annual machine and operators assessment compliance to ensure compliance to current Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice Guidelines and current Standards specific to the industry
• List of potential hazards (emergency exit procedure)
• Declaration of incidents globally to be supplied during life of ownership
• Safety auditing program recommendation (inspection sheet)
• Web access for operators
• Job and Work Assessment on tasks to be done on machine by staff
• Job and Work Assessment on servicing and major maintenance tasks to be done on machine by manufacturers staff

OHS Compliance – Owners Responsibility

• Proof of your employee training and certification
• Proof of compliant/certified equipment and parts used by employees while on site
• Risk assessment and list of potential hazards on machine off site
• Full service and safety bulletin upgrade list

Upgrade Options to be installed

• Cab protection (air quality, noise, window tinting, toughened/laminated/shatter proof glass, Cab Vac, Alarm seat belt and seat vibration)
• Access upgrades
• Ground level servicing
• Tyre scuffing and gauges
• Reverse alarm and camera
• Flashing beacon and guard
• ISRI seat
• Sun visor and tinted windows
• Hands free communication set
• Mud guard extension kit
• Fire control options
• Automatic lubrication
• Ground engagement equipment combination
• Bucket modification
• Quick fill lube and fuel
• Loadrite
• Turbo timer
• Air filter indicators and coolant sight glass
• Job and Work Assessment on servicing and major maintenance tasks to be done on machine by manufacturers staff
• Machine operator induction/handover training and auditing program
• Park brake light and alarm
• Storage receptacles
• External PPE and tool box
• Hand wash facility
• Decal upgrade
• Door reflective tape
• Ride control
• Anderson plugs
• Battery isolation switch
• Paint
• Wheel chocks
• Emergency exit

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