WITH reference to Editors view (Oct 2001), and the lead News item, I would like to add my whole hearted support for the views you express and the HSE’s action (yes, they could have done it more tactfully!).
If the forestry sector cannot use standard stabilisers then they should devise ‘special stabilisers’ or suitable spreaders to enable the machine to be used safely (I dread to think of my grandson, who is working in forestry, using an unstabilised truck loader to support a heavy ‘weight unknown’ limb of a tree, while it is being sawn off).
At this juncture it is worth recalling that a number of accidents have occurred due to stabilisers not being secured in their travelling position, and extending themselves as the truck goes around a bend.
