Reminder on FEM dock leveller regulations

Back in 2014, the FEM (ALEM, the Association of Lifting Equipment Manufacturers, is a member of FEM) undertook wide ranging research and end user feedback to conclude that a key application element of dock levellers built to BS EN 1398: 2009 was being increasingly overlooked. It recommended that this should be taken into account at the time of specification, or risk the overall life of the equipment being affected.

According to FEM, a key driver for these guidelines was the fact that dock levellers were being used more and more in conjunction with pallet trucks or reach trucks, rather than fork lift trucks. This caused a variety of different problems; the main issue being that this approach caused the upper deck of the structure to suffer damage over time because of the significantly higher pressure the trucks impose on the dock levellers.

At the time there was a flurry of awareness activity from FEM to promote the guidelines. While it’s difficult to ascertain exactly how many companies took the necessary steps to adhere to the advice, we do know that before the regulations came into place, there were more than 5000 accidents involving transport in the workplace and now, thanks to the FEM regulations, this figure is thought to have reduced significantly.

However, despite these encouraging figures, it’s likely that many companies still remain non-compliant.

Michael Fallis-Taylor, service sales & marketing director, at ALEM member Pickerings Lifts says: "If you believe that your company is non-compliant, it is important not to panic, as there are no specific legal requirements requiring businesses to adhere to the guidelines. However, it’s also important to not ignore, as the regulations are there to help you and your business, not impose unnecessary red tape. By not adopting them, not only do you risk expensive repair bills to your equipment, but there are also safety implications to your staff.

"Our advice is to match the capacity of your dock leveller to the load capacity of your materials handling equipment. It is also essential to assess the type of equipment being used in the loading environment in the first place. And following that of the FEM, it is important to check that the dock levellers you have in-situ are capable of supporting the total load capacity you require, and that they are also suitable for use with your nominated truck fleet and types of vehicle.

"Obviously, regular servicing from an expert maintenance provider is also an important step to ensuring compliant and safe equipment.

 

"The FEM guidelines have not only heightened health and safety, reliability and reduced accidents, but they have also helped improve their loading processes and loading efficiency, reduce downtime and energy consumption and ultimately cost over the lifetime of the asset.

"The loading area is – and always will be – an integral part of the logistics and distribution process where effective, properly planned and specified loading equipment can enhance the productivity within a business environments. Therefore its upkeep is naturally imperative to ensure maximum operational efficiency."

Keeping members and the industry updated with changing regulations is not ALEM's only connection with FEM. As part of the European Federation of Materials Handling and Storage Equipment’s (F.E.M.) mapping initiative, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee Vicky Ford MEP visited ALEM member Edmolift UK Limited at their Haverhill, Suffolk, location.

The initiative aims at presenting the materials handling industry to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) through company visits in or near the MEPs constituencies. Leading manufacturers and suppliers of scissor lift tables and bespoke materials handling equipment, Edmolift and their group company, Lyfthaus, have traded from their purpose built premises in a rural setting in Mrs. Ford’s constituency since 1994.

With nearly 300,000 people directly employed and a Euro 60bn annual turnover, FEM represents the second largest sector in mechanical engineering.  

In her presentation, Ioana Smarandache, representing FEM, highlighted the importance of safety standards and robust market surveillance for the sector. She stressed the need to ensure global market access and the aligning of international standards in present and future trade agreements. These principles draw upon the FEM Vision and Strategy 2020 published last year (FEM Vision & Strategy 2020 – Preserving the competitiveness of the European materials handling industry).

"This visit illustrates the three dimensions of FEM – local, national and European – united around a common objective:  preserving the competitiveness of the materials handling industry.  Who better than the Chair of the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee to bring this message to the EU political arena?  We thank Ms. Ford for taking the time to see, listen and exchange with us," said Olivier Janin, FEM Secretary General.

Susie Dicker, Chairman of Edmolift, said "Our products comply with rigorous and robust safety standards and we must ensure that our competitors’ products do so too so we can invest and grow without fear of unfair competition. To this end, it is essential that market surveillance ensures that non-compliant machinery does not enter the marketplace”.

"The insight gained has been invaluable – a tremendous opportunity,” Darren Papani, managing director of Edmolift, continued.

In conclusion Mrs Ford said: "I would like to thank FEM and the staff of Edmolift for taking time out to show me their products. We need to do more to ensure compliance on our market and maintain safety standards, and I will be examining what can be done”.