TT Talk - Reach Stacker incident

Port Skills and Safety Ltd ( PSSL ), an industry organisation promoting health safety, skills and standards, commented in Information Paper 012/2008 on a Kalmar Reach Stacker incident (failure of boom extension ram anchor bolts):

PSSL has recently been notified of an incident at a port involving a Kalmar Contmaster Reach Stacker, DRS model, where the anchor bolts of the boom extension ram railed whilst it was being examined by engineers. As a consequence, the ram and its associated anchor trunnion were ejected out at speed from the rear of the boom. No persons were injured.

However, if the bolts had failed whilst the Kalmar Reach Stacker was being used to lift during normal operations, the outcome could have been much more serious. All DRS model Kalmar Reach Stackers at the port are now being repaired with a substantial up-rating to the rear end anchor and associated bolts. Members who operate such equipment are advised to inspect the anchor bolts of the boom extension ram and take any remedial action deemed necessary. As a result of the incident, Kalmar has published Service Information Sheet SI108-003 - Inspection of Bolted Joints (...). The SI applies to DRS machines produced in Finland and Sweden.