ALLMI reports record demand for training courses
ALLMI, the association for the lorry loader industry, has announced record levels of uptake in the last financial year for its slinger/signaller training, as well as its appointed person (AP) course.
Demand for the industry-recognised slinger/signaller course has been stronger than ever, says the association, having seen nearly 10 per cent growth in registrations.
“ALLMI has long been promoting the importance of slinger/signaller training, raising awareness of the problems that can occur when this is neglected,” it said.
“The association continues to drive this important message, educating those who believe that putting staff through a lorry loader operator course will provide them with a sufficient level of skill and understanding to act as a slinger – this is not the case. Specific training should be undertaken in order to be proficient in this area, and this is a requirement under the Health & Safety at Work Act, PUWER and BS 7121 Part 4.”
ALLMI training and project officer, Jon Kenyon, added: “The use of inadequately trained slingers can be a primary cause of accidents, putting people, equipment and goods at risk. Having properly trained personnel in this role can obviously prevent these issues, creating a safer working environment, as well as improving efficiency. ALLMI’s course supplies the rigorous training necessary to achieve these benefits and has played a crucial role in raising the standard of Slinger / Signaller practices throughout the lorry loader industry.”
Meanwhile, the importance and credibility of ALLMI’s AP course continues to be underlined, says the organisation, with record demand during the 2023/24 financial year, and uptake further increasing by more than 50 per cent year-to-date.
Peter Brown, senior project manager for Algeco, is a long-time ALLMI AP cardholder. He said: “The ALLMI card has a five-year expiry and so I recently attended my third ALLMI AP course to keep my qualification up to date.
“The training continues to be excellent, with the instructor having invaluable knowledge of lifting operations and lorry loaders. Furthermore, each time I attend it’s impressive to see how the course has evolved, which is a testament to ALLMI’s commitment to ongoing review and development of its training material.”
Since its launch 14 years ago, the accredited AP programme has had a significant impact on practices throughout the lorry loader industry, says ALLMI, and been pivotal in helping fleet owners to train the relevant members of their workforce to the highest standard. It is fully compliant with the requirements of LOLER, adds ALLMI, as well as BS 7121 Part 4.
Meanwhile, ALLMI has also issued a reminder of the benefits of its ‘Strap Down Your Loader Crane!’ campaign material.
“If a loader crane cannot be folded for travel, and in the absence of manufacturer or employer instructions to the contrary, it should always be strapped down securely to the vehicle bed,” advised the association.
“Failure to strap down the loader crane could result in uncontrolled slewing and the extremities of the vehicle being breached, not only leading to damaged equipment and property, but also injury or fatality to persons, as well as criminal prosecution for the driver.
“In addition to reaching out to fleet owners and operators, ALLMI’s Strap Down Your Loader Crane! campaign is aimed at all businesses involved in the movement of lorry loaders, including crane installers, bodybuilders, truck dealers and delivery companies.
“The campaign supplies a range of valuable resources for employers to utilise, from training videos and 3d animated accident reconstruction, through to an information leaflet and toolbox talk template.”
In addition, ALLMI highlights its role as a valued strategic partner for Driving for Better Business (DfBB), the government-backed National Highways programme. It utilises free online resources and tools to help employers in both the private and public sectors reduce work-related road risk, decrease the associated costs and improve compliance with legislation and guidance.
ALLMI technical manager, Keith Silvester, said: “Educating on the safe stowage and travel of lorry loaders has always been an important part of ALLMI’s activities and so in this regard our values are very much in sync with those of DfBB. We fully support its aims and objectives and are committed to promoting the initiative throughout the lorry loader industry.”
July saw the inaugural meeting of the BSI Panel formed to revise BS 7121 Part 4 ‘Code of practice for the safe use of cranes – Lorry loaders’. Led by Keith Silvester, the working group’s composition includes loader crane manufacturers/importers, fleet owners and site operators, as well as the HSE; and it is tasked with carrying out the first update to the Standard since 2010.
Keith said: “The meeting focused predominantly on the scope of the project and the timeline for the work. As with the development of any British Standard, there are multiple phases to complete, including content drafting, BSI editing, public comment, and comments resolution. Taking each milestone into account, we expect the revised Standard to be ready for publication in quarter four of next year.”
He continued: “The scope of the Standard will be reduced to avoid duplication with other parts of the 7121 series. For example, Part 4’s content regarding thorough examination has been covered by the revision to BS 7121-2-4, which will be published in the coming months. Other amendments will incorporate changes to industry practice and product developments since 2010. These developments include a trend towards larger, more complex loader cranes, stability monitoring systems, swing-up stabilisers, and the increased use of remote controls.”
ALLMI highlights the pivotal role played by the UK lorry loader industry in facilitating the activities of a wide range of sectors that are crucial to the economy.
ALLMI CEO, Tom Wakefield, said: “ALLMI’s membership covers all facets of the lorry loader industry, consisting of crane manufacturers / importers, service repair businesses, ancillary equipment suppliers, fleet owners and site operators. In a sector where safety, professionalism and innovation are paramount, ALLMI members lead the way and all would welcome ‘speculative applications’ for employment.
“Furthermore, as part of our ongoing work promoting industry careers, we are keen to hear from educational institutions looking to form partnership working arrangements. We have had a successful affiliation with Bangor University’s Engineering School for several years, which focuses on creating internship and post-graduate employment opportunities, and we would be keen to replicate this with other applicable organisations.”
