Safety Innovations

ALLMI (The Association of Lorry Loaders, Manufacturers & Importers)

Gatwick Group’s MD Bob Toon was a founding member of the ALLMI Operators Forum in which is now a rapidly growing division of ALLMI and its purpose is to raise the standard of safety and professionalism amongst operators of lorry loaders It actively serves and promotes its members, which range from some of the largest fleet owners in the UK to small local businesses.

ALLMI’s Technical and Training Committees consist of representatives from the UK’s leading loader crane manufacturers and importers. Added to the fact that Forum members are able to draw upon the expertise of ALLMI’s Technical Director, who has over 20 years’ experience in the lorry loader industry, this means that ALLMI can provide an unrivalled level of advice and guidance on all technical aspects of lorry loader use.

Members have access to technical publications such as the ALLMI Code of Practice and the ALLMI Guidance Notes. Members also receive regular technical bulletins relating to issues affecting the industry.

ALLMI has been instrumental in the writing of legislation and standards affecting the industry and was recently involved in the revision of both BS7121 Part 4, the British Standard for lorry loaders; and EN12999, which is the European Standard. Due to ALLMI’s participation in this type of work, as well as its involvement with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the loader crane manufacturers / importers and the British, European and International Loader Crane Standards Committees, Forum members not only have the opportunity to consult upon and possibly influence forthcoming changes in standards and legislation affecting the industry, they also have access to advice and guidance on all aspects of compliance.

Representatives of the HSE sit on ALLMI’s Training and Technical Committees, and therefore have valuable input into the standards and guidance that ALLMI develops for its members. In addition, HSE representatives also attend Forum General Meetings and have provided members with guidance on a variety of important issues. As well as having a strong relationship with the HSE, ALLMI also has close links with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), which can use ALLMI to inform operators of its requirements in relation to lorry loader inspections.

ALLMI runs the UK’s only lorry loader operator training programme to have been awarded the HSE’s “Working in Partnership” commendation. In addition, ALLMI has an affiliation agreement with CPCS, which means that ALLMI lorry loader cardholders can apply for the CPCS card, provided they have completed the Construction Skills Health & Safety Touch Screen Test within the two years prior to application (please click here for details of ALLMI’s agreement with CPCS). Whilst both members and non-members have access to ALLMI training, Forum members also have the ability to contribute towards the development of the scheme via representation on the ALLMI Training Committee.

Forum members have access to a range of courses for managers which help them to comply with the requirements of PUWER 9.2. Courses cover a wide range of subjects, such as the duties / responsibilities of the Appointed Person, thorough examinations / load tests, slinging / signalling and lorry loader operation.