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Scaw Metals Group Sustainable Development Report 2005 23
safety case studies
Safety Case Study 1
Loading and Unloading of Containers
Traditionally in South Africa containers are packed with
product using forklift trucks that are driven onto a trailer
(that bears the container) and inside the container to deposit
the product. However, in several overseas countries
containers are loaded at ground level once they have been
removed from the trailer with special lifting equipment.
At a group site, a forklift driver was in the process of loading
grinding media into a container when the trailer supporting
the container toppled onto its side while the forklift and
driver were inside. Investigations revealed that one of the
trailer’s telescopic legs had failed and collapsed. Driver
Mthembeni Mkhomazi saved himself from injury and possible
death by wearing his seatbelt - he adhered to The Scaw
Golden Rule on vehicles and the use of seatbelts.
There are several risks when loading a container, including:
• A trailer moving away from an elevated loading bay,
especially if the trailer is on a slope.
• A container and a trailer falling over when a telescopic
leg fails.
• A container and a trailer falling over when the container
is packed with an incorrect weight distribution causing
one of the legs to sink into soft ground.
Following last year’s incident, several new safety measures
were introduced throughout the group, including:
• “Chocking” the trailer wheels to eliminate movement.
• Securing the trailer with a chain in certain situations.
• Using additional protection in the form of a support
trolley or another mechanical means to support the
trailer legs during loading and unloading.
• Ensuring that loading/unloading takes place only on a
concrete base strong enough to support the weight
of the container, trailer, contents and the forklift truck.
The telescopic leg on a trailer collapsed causing the trailer, container and a forklift driver to fall over. Tony Harris, executive chairman of the Scaw Metals Group (far right), congratulates the forklift
driver, Mthembeni Mkhomazi, for wearing his seatbelt, which saved him from injury in this incident.
“Chocking” a trailer’s wheels to eliminate movement.
Using a mechanical means as additional support to a trailer.
Securing a trailer with a chain.