LTB 665/18 – Dhollandia DH-SKS/SMR Retractable Aluminium Tail Lift (Slide Under)

No. 665/2018

23 November 2018

Our Ref: V4/18

Dhollandia DH-SKS/SMR Retractable Aluminium Tail Lift (Slide Under)

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Discussions have been taking place between Royal Mail Fleet, Royal Mail Logistics and the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department via the RM Logistics/CWU National Joint Health and Safety Committee and CWU Logistics ASRs Group in relation to the introduction of retractable, slide under tail lifts.

Following the identification of the Dhollandia DH-SKS/SMR Retractable Aluminium Slide Under Tail Lift as a suitable type, the Tail Lift was demonstrated and tested before both sides developed a fit for purpose Safe System of Work which has now been completed.

The DH-SKS/SMR Tail Lift combines the advantages of a column lift with those of a slider lift with a flat level-ride platform, which is ideal to load and unload York roll-cages and other cargo loads.

Safely stored under the vehicle chassis the Tail Lift is protected from damage when reversing into loading docks, or when loading or unloading with MHE.

30 Trailers have been ordered by Royal Mail and built by Cartwright’s Group (Serial Numbers 8324016-8324045), fitted  with the Dhollandia DH-SKS/SMR Retractable Aluminium Tail Lift and they will be used, running at various VOCs and RDCs. The reason for the introduction of this T/L type is for the transport of mail across RMG operations whereby the slide under design of this lift has the benefit of not needing to be deployed if not required i.e., when using a dock leveller, unlike current cantilever designs. This gives greater flexibility during peak pressure periods when sourcing Tail Lift trailers in the hire market is difficult.

Drivers using these Tail Lifts will receive training delivered by the ADCs (Advanced Driver Coaches), using the SSoW, which is common practice.

Operators need to ensure they position their feet and the Yorks correctly so they don’t overlap/roll off the front edge of the platform as this design cannot accommodate a toe guard. This is covered in the SSoW and Training.

The locations of the Trailers will be as listed below:-

1 x Southampton

8 x Chelmsford

2 x Peterborough

3 x Atherstone

5 x South West DC

1 x Birmingham

7 x NDC

2 x YDC

1 x Coventry

See attached photographs of the Trailer and Tail Lift plus a copy of the Safe System of Work and Photographs of the Trailer and Tail Lift.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

 18LTB665 Dhollandia DH-SKS SMR Retractable Aluminium Tail Lift (Slide Under)

Dhollandia DH SKS SMR Retractable Alluminium Tail lift SSOW-(002)

Dhollandia DH-SKS – SMR Retractable Aluminium Tail Lift (Slide Under)