An Interpretation of History?

In my last article, I mentioned that the Ready-Mix Concrete Industry fails to learn from previous incidents; understandably, it has yet to go down well with some.

My opinion is seemingly irrelevant due to unsupported evidence and what is simply an 'opinion piece' based on my interpretation.

Now, facts are essential for obvious reasons, I stand by the facts I presented, but more importantly, I can back them up.

I'll provide further examples for those who want to read on.

Competence

In 1959, the Ready Mix Company (South East) Ltd introduced a scheme for owner-drivers to deliver their concrete.

It was stated at the time that the policy of the group (RMC) "that the business of making and selling concrete should be carried on as far as possible separately from the business of delivering the concrete to the customers" and that the owner-driver scheme was introduced to further that policy, in the belief that it would stimulate:

"speedy and efficient cartage, the maintenance of trucks in good condition, and the careful driving thereof, and would benefit the owner-driver by giving him an incentive to work for a higher return without abusing the vehicle in the way which often happens if an employee is given a bonus scheme related to the use of his employer's vehicle."

The haulier contract from over 75 years ago wants the product delivered quickly and efficiently, but it insists on a "competent driver"?operating the vehicle to achieve this.

Nowadays, one national company requires a driver who is "fully trained and qualified in the mixing, loading, handling and transportation of the Materials (including its hazardous nature)."

Mixer Rollovers

An industry issue that brought a question in the House of Commons back in 1964 in which the then Transport Minister Ernest Sharples was asked:

"How many mixer rollovers occurred over the past 12 months, and how many resulted in fatalities?"

Unfortunately, and the same today, no official figures or records exist.

Another relevant fact today is that some within the industry still ignore the safety guidance set out by the mixer manufacturers in their operating manuals.

Mixer Maintenance Issues

The industry suffers from many mixer maintenance issues, more commonly drum detachments and substructure failures, which are highlighted by the incident on HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd .

Some incidents are more severe than others, but many can be traced back to the lack of routine maintenance and structural integrity checks, again set out by the manufacturers and a legal requirement of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998?(PUWER) Regulations.

Industry safety alerts and even a letter from the administrator of one previous manufacturer to owners and operators concerning a potential safety risk regarding the structural integrity of the mixer.

1. The partial or full detachment of the access platform and/or the charge and discharge hoppers on parts thereof
2. The partial or full detachment or deterioration of the access ladder structure or parts thereof while the ladder is in use or otherwise.
3. Degrading function of the flitch plat attachment of the mixer platform chassis to the vehicle chassis this will create a deterioration in function, which ultimately might result in the detachment of the two structures.
4. Degrading function of the attachment of the front stool assembly to the mixer platform chassis this will cause a deterioration in function which ultimately might result in the detachment of the two structures; and
5. Degrading function of the rear stool - cracking around the arch which will cause a deterioration of function and integrity in the rear stool which might result in loss of function.

"Operation of the concrete mixer, in the event that it is or may be defective, will pose a potential risk to health and safety which could put owners/operators at risk of breach of (among other things) the Health and Safety etc. at Work Act 1974 and/or the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986"

Risk Assessments

Identifying hazards and implementing appropriate control measures can prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace. Employers are required by law to conduct risk assessments to ensure the health and safety of their employees and anyone else who may be affected by their activities.

In 1994, I was asked to sign a Tilcon 'Safe System of Work' to understand my responsibilities for washing off before entering the public highway.

Fast forward 30 years, and there's still no clear industry understanding of crucial road safety, health and safety and environmental issues, especially in light of last year's changes in the load security code of practice and guidance from the DVSA.

Given that approximately 65% of concrete in the UK is delivered by contract hauliers (2019 figures), some still have the archaic view that it's acceptable when customers insist that drivers can't wash off after delivery and agree to it.

Drivers, operators, and consignors are responsible for load security, which is set out in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) / Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Code of Practice.

Management failures under Health and Safety law could also be applicable.

While these are just examples of valuable lessons the industry could have learned over the past 75 years, the demand for the second most consumed product on earth (after water) will always be at the root of the problems we continue to face.

Unless I've interpreted it wrong.