Q. We have been having a discussion in the office reference the maximum weight that a pallet can weigh that drivers can push/pull using a manual pump truck.
A. There is nothing written down officially to say what a person can pull on a pump truck. All the guides and manuals state that the maximum weight of the pallet truck should not be exceeded and pallets should be loaded so as not to cause damage and injury. However, a robust risk assessment would have to be in place to ascertain what a company standard should be. It would be difficult to set a standard, as different people will be able to pull different weights. It would also be dependent on the type of ground that the truck was on as well the pallet load.
It's a gas
Q. Would you be able provide some advice regarding the carrying of gas on local authority vehicles. The drivers use gas bottles to help maintain roads. I am pretty sure the vehicles should be marked up to show as such.
A. If the gas bottles are being carried as part of the driver’s working equipment, eg for heating tar/bitumen, then they are exempt from ADR. If the drivers were carrying the gas to deliver to sites, then they would be allowed to carry up to 333kgs of gas (depending on the gas used) with driver awareness training and a 2kg fire extinguisher in the vehicle. In both cases no vehicle markings would be required, however you can affix the smaller labels if you so wish.
