07.08.2013

Kimberly issues statement on Genie Z135/70

UK based Kimberly Access has issued a public statement concerning the fatal Z135/70 boom lift overturn and subsequent investigations, following a statement issued last week by Genie/ Terex AWP. See Genie safety statement

The statement, issued by the company’s lawyers, raises serious concerns over the integrity of the safety systems intended to prevent the lower boom/riser from extending when it is below the minimum permitted elevation angle to do so. Its concerns arise from reports provided by two third party inspection companies that it has employed to inspect the Z135/70. It also points out that the machine involved in the incident was calibrated by Genie staff and not by Kimberly.

The statement is as follows:

“Following the fatal accident involving a Genie 135/70 at its Iver depot on 5th June 2013, Kimberly Access Limited is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and is assisting the Health & Safety Executive with their ongoing investigation.

Kimberly is concerned by the recent press statement released by Genie on Monday 29th July, 2013. In this statement Genie state that it has found that some machines that were calibrated in the field may not have been calibrated according to Genie’s service manual and therefore Genie recommends that the secondary boom angle range is checked on all machines as a precaution.

Kimberly wishes to make it clear that at no time has it ever attempted to calibrate the secondary boom angle range on the 135/70 involved in the accident and Kimberly’s service records show that this procedure was only ever carried out by Genie Personnel.

Kimberly’s paramount concern remains ensuring the health and safety of its staff, customers and the public at large. Preliminary findings of appointed independent experts have raised concerns regarding the machine’s integrity that are distinct and separate from the concerns raised by Genie in its press statement. Kimberly’s remaining fleet of 25 Z135s will therefore remain grounded until these concerns have been fully explored and until Kimberly is totally satisfied that the 135/70s are safe to operate or have been made safe by modification.

It would be inappropriate for Kimberly to comment further at this stage of the HSE’S investigation.”
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A copy of the Kimberly statement

Vertikal Comment

This is also not the time and the place for us to comment too deeply on this subject. But clearly the focus of this incident appears to be on the lower boom/riser which will of course cause an overturn backwards if it is extended when it is not fully elevated, or at least within the safe working range, particularly if the main boom is fully elevated itself.

What is also clear from these statements is that the manufacturer and rental company have very different views, or at best are not of a single mind and are not working together on this matter, which with over 1,900 units in the field has major implications for owners and users around the world. That is a great shame indeed. Hopefully this will change going forward and the two will work more closely on this matter in which the hundreds of companies have a stake.