Safe Working Procedure: TAT SWP 003v3 Coupling and Uncoupling Risk Assessment Ref: TAT - RA003.3 Revision Date Reviewed By Authorised By V3 22/01/2018 D Newton P FitzPatrick Changes to coupling and uncoupling Review Date 22/01/2019 Change Details processes Task Coupling and Uncoupling Coupling Scope Uncoupling Tools & Equipment Required o See TAT SWP 001 Persons Involved Supervisor for the Task Hazards Driver Loading Site Supervisor Trips, Slips, Falls from height, Crushing, Vehicle movements, Manual handling. Night operations, Poor visibility, Weather conditions. REPORTING PROCEDURE Whilst carrying out the task as instructed within this Safe Working Procedure, if one or more of the controlled steps cannot be undertaken, the following instruction must be followed: - 1. STOP the task 2. If possible without further risk, make the area safe 3. Report to your team leader or section manager immediately for guidance Only trained and authorised personnel can carry out these tasks. Personal Protective Equipment The above Personal Protection Equipment should be worn prior to entry See TAT SWP 001 General Safety It is the duty of all employees to comply with the following Safe Working Procedure designed to provide a code of good practice and conduct with the objective of preventing accidents or harm. At all times employees must work in a safe manner both to prevent personal injury to themselves or others. 1
Pre start Safety Check Before starting either a coupling or uncoupling operation, you should consider the following points, to identify:- If the ground is suitable to drop a trailer (level, solid surface) If the area is safe to drop a trailer (does not obstruct any access or rail crossings) If there are any pedestrians moving around in the area you will be operating If there are any vehicles moving around in the area you will be operating That you are wearing minimum Personal Protection Equipment (Helmet fitted with chin strap; high visibility vest; safety shoes; gloves) If the weather will allow the operation to be performed safely If there is sufficient lighting to perform tasks safely 2
Coupling Slowly reverse the tractor unit towards the trailer, stopping just before the 5th wheel ramp contacts the trailer rubbing plate. Apply the handbrake, turn the engine off and remove the keys - Fig. 1 and 2 Fig: 1 Fig: 2 Check the trailer park brake is applied (this maybe situated on the headboard or the left hand side of the trailer behind 3 rd axle) by pulling the red button out - Fig. 3, and do a visual check for damage to the trailer Fig: 3 Open the 5th wheel locking pin. Level air suspension to the level of the trailer pick up plate. - Fig. 4 Fig: 4 Slowly reverse the unit under the trailer until the 5th wheel jaws engage - Fig. 5 and 6. Fig: 5 Fig: 6 3
Inflate air suspension to take the weight of the landing legs. Fig. 7 Engage a forward gear, release tractor unit park brake and give two good pulls forward to ensure the 5th wheel jaws have locked. Repeat the pull forward to ensure jaws have locked. Apply the handbrake, turn the engine off and remove the keys Fig. 1 and 2 Fig: 7 Before leaving the cab, switch on side lights; hazard warning lights and rear fog lamps. Visually check the 5th wheel jaws have engaged and the release handle is in the locked position. Fit the security clip - Fig. 8 Fig: 8 Walk down each side of the trailer and check for movement Ensure the catwalk or 5th wheel area is clear of grease and clear of any obstructions / hazards Put on your chin strap Using the 5 th wheel access steps, and 3 points of contact, climb up to the 5 th wheel area Connect the yellow air line and the electrical suzies - Fig. 9 and 10. Fig: 9 Fig: 10 Connect the red airline and check for movement - Fig.11 IF THE TRAILER MOVES THEN DISCONNECT THE RED AIRLINE AND CHECK THAT THE HAND BRAKE HAS BEEN APPLIED AND THE TRAILER PARK BRAKE IS ON Fig: 11 4
Wind up the landing legs and stow the handle - Fig. 12 Fig: 12 Apply lights, lenses and the number plate as necessary - Fig.13 Fig: 13 Release trailer parking brake - Fig. 14 IF THE TRAILER MOVES THEN PULL THE TRAILER PARK BRAKE ON Fig: 14 Return to cab and slowly move the vehicle combination forward, checking brakes and ABS warning lights function correctly. 5
Uncoupling Slowly reverse the tractor unit and trailer combination into the designated parking area and park in a straight line Apply the handbrake, turn the engine off and remove the keys - Fig. 1 and 2 Fig: 1 Fig: 2 Apply the trailer park brake - Fig. 3 Fig: 3 Remove lights, lenses and number plate as necessary - Fig. 4 Fig: 4 Lower the front landing legs until it makes contact with the ground -Fig. 5. Fig: 5 Ensure the catwalk or 5th wheel area is clear of grease and clear of any obstructions / hazard Fig: 6 6
Put on your chin strap Using the 5th wheel access steps, and 3 points of contact, climb up to the 5th wheel area Disconnect the yellow air line and the electrical suzies - Fig. 7 and 8. Fig: 7 Fig: 8 Disconnect the red airline. Grip the red airline firmly as it may kick back when released due to pressure in the line. Fig. 9 Fig: 9 Remove the security clip and pull the release handle to disengage the 5th wheel locking jaws - Fig. 10 Fig: 10 Lower air suspension and slowly draw the tractor unit away from the trailer and stop when the vehicle is clear of the 5th Wheel - Fig. 11, 12, 13 and 14. Fig: 11 7 Fig: 11
Fig: 12 Fig: 13 Check in your mirrors that the trailer has settled safely on the ground. Apply the handbrake, turn the engine off and remove the keys Figs 14 and 15. Fig: 14 Fig: 15 Before leaving the trailer, walk around and check that it has been left in a safe manner. 8
Adverse Weather Windy / Blustery Conditions o Take extra care when opening and closing doors and curtains. o Ensure the door is fastened back securely by the door retaining arm, check the doors regularly to ensure the arms have not slipped down. o Take extra care when opening and closing trailer curtains. o Where possible carry out the operations indoors, undercover or in an area not affected by the weather. Cold Weather o Ensure warm clothing is worn underneath issued High Viz Jackets o Take regular breaks from the cold o Drink warm fluids o Be aware of slippery conditions under foot when ice/snow/freezing temperatures occur o Where possible carry out the operations indoors, undercover or in an area not affected by the weather. o When opening Sliding Roofs, check for snow/ice on the roof prior to attempting to open the roof. o Take trailer to safe area away from pedestrians and other vehicles. o With curtains and roof closed, enter back of trailer and using roof pole, gently push upwards on roof to break up snow and ice and allow it to fall safely over the sides. Hot Weather o Take regular breaks from the heat o Drink cold fluids o Where possible remove items of PPE during rest breaks to encourage heat loss o Be aware of early symptoms of Heat stress such as: o Inability to concentrate o Muscle cramps o Feeling faint o Severe thirst o Heat exhaustion fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headaches, moist skin o Seek medical assistance if any of the above symptoms are shown! o Apply a high factor sun screen and wear sunglasses Fog/Dim or dark conditions o Ensure High Viz jacket is worn o Use head torches on helmets or Hand held torches. o Be extra vigilant around vehicles they may not be able to see you!! o Where possible carry out the operations indoors, undercover or in an area not affected by the weather. 9