ALLMI focus

ALLMI &BMF collaboration

A key part of ALLMI’s activities involves engaging in collaborative work with related industry associations and bodies. To this end and as a further development to an existing relationship, ALLMI has agreed a mutual exchange of membership with the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).

ALLMI chief executive Tom Wakefield said: “The BMF represents builders’ merchants and associated suppliers, with the objective of raising standards and facilitating excellence. As such, their values and goals are very much aligned with our own and so we’re delighted to conclude this agreement, which will enable improved communication and cooperation on areas of shared interest.”

Richard Ellithorne, BMF membership services director added: “Clearly there is a degree of common ground between the aims, activities and membership of ALLMI and the BMF. This agreement strengthens the link between the organisations, and we look forward to working more closely with ALLMI to the benefit of our respective industries.”

Training course dates for 2024

ALLMI has released its training schedule for 2024. ALLMI is the UK’s only accrediting body providing specialist training for all members of the lorry loader lifting team, as well as engineers, instructors and managers. ALLMI’s courses are approved by CSCS.

Courses available from ALLMI include:

Booked through an ALLMI training provider:

• Lorry loader operator

• Slinger/signaller

Booked through ALLMI directly:

• Crane supervisor

• Appointed person

• Thorough examiner

• Manager - PUWER 9.2

• Instructor

Course information, dates and training provider’s details can be found at www.allmi.com/training

Pre-operational checks campaign- reminder

The effective maintenance of a lorry loader is an essential part of the equipment’s safe operation and pre-operational checks are an important element of this regime. Pre-operational checks are also a legal requirement in the UK, and the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has the authority to issue on the spot fines for non-compliance. For these reasons, it is imperative that pre-operational checks are carried out and that lorry loader operators undergo the necessary training in order to fulfil this part of their job role.

As a key part of its ongoing campaign to raise awareness and further improve industry practice in relation to this important topic, ALLMI makes the following tools available:

• An online video: ‘Pre-Operational Checks’, broken down into three sections, covering the most common lorry loader applications, i.e., hook, builders’ merchants and utilities.

• A ready made toolbox talk template for use by supervisors and managers.

• Pre-Operational check pads and associated windscreen holders.

These tools can be accessed through ALLMI’s website. www.allmi.com

Manager courses- are you complying with Puwer 9.2?

ALLMI’s range of one day manager courses continues to be popular, with companies across the lorry loader industry looking to bolster their compliance with the requirements of PUWER 9.2:

PUWER 9.2: “Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken.”

ALLMI technical manager Keith Silvester said: “The manager courses are abbreviated, attendance based (i.e. no assessments) versions of our standard training programmes, covering all of the same topics and, in many cases, also including a practical element.”

“The provision of manager courses has a direct impact on the level of knowledge, appreciation and competency within the lorry loader industry. It enables managers and supervisors to gain an enhanced understanding of the technical, legislative and operational issues relating to areas of the business for which they are responsible, and to form a greater empathy of the challenges faced by front line staff.”

ALLMI provides the following courses for managers:

• Lorry loader operator

• Slinger/signaller

• Crane supervisor

• Appointed person

• Thorough examiner

Andy Woodward, after sales director for ALLMI member Palfinger UK, attended recent Thorough Examiner and Appointed Person manager courses. Speaking about it, he said: “The use of ALLMI manager courses is in keeping with our ethos at Palfinger UK as we strive to continually improve upon our high standards. The training was excellent, and we would certainly recommend these courses to other companies in the lorry loader industry, as they will raise awareness levels and lead to the development of safer, more efficient working practices.”