Information on the provision of support props with
Agricultural Trailers
A recent HSE investigation discovered that the majority of
agricultural trailer manufacturers believe that props for use
during maintenance under a raised body of a tipping trailer are
‘optional extras’.
This belief, is not reflected in BS EN 1853:1999+A1:2009
‘Agricultural machinery Trailers with tipping body Safety’
which states in section 4.7.1 A mechanical support hinged to
the trailer, in conformity with the requirements given in
4.1.7.3 of prEN 1553:1998 shall be provided to secure the
body in high position during maintenance operations.
prEN 1553:1998 became BS EN 1553:2000 ‘Agricultural
machinery - Agricultural self-propelled mounted, semi-
mounted and trailed machines - Common safety
requirements’. In this standard section 4.1.7.3 states:
To allow the operator to work under raised parts of the
machine when carrying out maintenance or servicing,
mechanical supports or other locking devices shall be
provided to prevent inadvertent lowering.
• Mechanical supporting devices shall withstand a load of
1.5 times the maximum load to be supported
• Hydraulic locking devices shall be located on the
hydraulic cylinder or connected to the hydraulic cylinder
by pipes or located in the hoses leading to the hydraulic
cylinder. In the latter case the hoses shall be designed to
withstand a pressure of at least 4 times the working
pressure
• The intervals for replacement of hoses shall be given in
the instruction handbook.
• It shall be possible to control hydraulic locking devices
and mechanical supports from outside the danger zones.
• Mechanical supports and hydraulic locking devices shall
be marked by colour and shall clearly contrast with the
machine. Supports shall be fixed on the machine when
not in use.
• When the supports and hydraulic locks are controlled
manually, their position and methods of operation shall
be marked on the machine.
• Specific instruction shall be contained in the instruction
hand book.
BS EN 1553:2000 was superseded by BS EN ISO 4254 part
1:2005. In section 4.8.1 general it states;
4.8.1.1 When it is necessary for the operator to work under
raised parts of the machine in order to carry out maintenance
or service, mechanical supports or hydraulic locking devices
shall be provided to prevent inadvertent lowering.
Means other than mechanical or hydraulic devices are
acceptable, provided an equal or greater level of safety is
ensured.
4.8.1.2 It shall be possible to control hydraulic locking
devices and mechanical supports from outside the hazard
zones.
4.8.1.3 Mechanical supports and hydraulic locking devices
shall be identified by use of a colour that contrasts with the
overall machine colour or by a safety sign located either on, or
in close proximity to, the device.
4.8.1.4 When the supports or hydraulic devices are controlled
manually, their method of operation shall be explained in the
operator's manual [see 8.1.3 k)] and, if such operation is not
intuitive, on the machine itself using either a safety or
informational sign.
I can find no reference in any of the standards to say that the
provision of a scotch or prop is an option for the manufacturer
of tipping trailers. These are all harmonised standards, so
meeting them is deemed to be compliant with the Supply of
Machinery [Safety] regs. Failure to meet the standards or to
provide a suitable alternative method must be considered non-
compliance of the SMSr.