Lorry loaders crush risk from powered tilting stabilisers

Date: 17.01.24

HSE is aware of 3 fatal incidents in Great Britain since 2019, where the operator of a lorry loader has been crushed against the bodywork of the vehicle by the retracting leg of a powered tilting stabiliser. On some lorry loaders with powered ‘tilting’ (also known as ‘swing-up’ or ‘rotating’) stabilisers, people can be crushed against the bodywork of the vehicle when the stabilisers are being retracted.

There is a risk of serious injury or death when a powered tilting stabiliser is being rotated to a vertical position. If a stabiliser is retracted towards the vehicle when not vertical, the operator or others positioned in the danger zone can be crushed.

Tilting stabilisers are rotated to a vertically up position for stowage. Powered stabiliser tilt is controlled either by levers at the crane base or by remote control. Tilting stabilisers may rotate either towards the front or the rear of the vehicle, depending on machine design. On some lorry loaders, stabilisers on opposite sides of the same vehicle may tilt upwards in different directions. 

HSE is aware of three fatal incidents in Great Britain since 2019 where the operator of a lorry loader has been crushed against the bodywork of the vehicle by the retracting leg of a powered tilting stabiliser. In each instance the retracting stabiliser leg struck the operator while it was only part-rotated to an approximately horizontal position.  

For further information visit Lorry loaders crush risk from powered tilting stabilisers - Safety bulletin - HSE