How can the Manual help me: Pipe Coil Trailers

A coroner called for safety improvements in the directional drilling sector after a worker died on an HS2 site in Birmingham last year.

In April 2023 a construction worker received fatal injuries when they were struck by the end of a pipe coil as it was being fed from a coil trailer. The stored energy released during the unwind caused the end of the pipe to come out of the side of the coil trailer with force.

Following the tragic incident several Tier 1 Contractors have been working with others in the construction and utilities sector, including coil trailer manufacturers, trade associations and other Tier 1 contractors to improve current industry standards. This guidance is now included in the Construction Health and Safety Manual.

This guidance relates to Highway-towed Pipe Coil Trailers used for carrying MDPE or HDPE pipe coils from 125mm-180mm, including those for clean water, drainage water, gas pipe or electricity ducting. All supervisors and workers (including contractors) using pipe coil trailers must be trained and briefed on the potentially fatal risk of stored energy from coiled pipe before arriving on site. The training must be recorded and records made available for inspection at all times.

All RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statement) must be reviewed to ensure they include the hazards and appropriate control measures and it is recommended they are checked and signed at the point of work before work commences.

A safe system of work must be in operation at all times including:

• Training on the RAMS, manufacturer’s instructions, and safe systems of work
• The mandatory use of ratchet straps and pipe end clamps (or equivalent) for the coil end of all 125mm diameter and above pipes
• Completion of daily prestart equipment checks
• A red zone ‘no entry’ safety exclusion area around the entire base of the coil trailer to the dimensions shown in the table below
• A clear safe system of work for cutting the coil straps in sequence and only while the coil is stationary
• The use of energy dissipation devices and trailer side guarding
• The use of a permit to work for this activity is recommended

In addition to RAMS including suitable information, instruction, training and supervision, and safe systems of work, all coil trailers for 125mm diameter and above pipe coil must be fitted with:·

• Suitable ratchet straps and pipe end clamps and unobscured manufacturer safety decals
• Fixed side guards for all four lower quadrants of the coil trailer
• A device for dissipating the stored energy as the pipe is dispensed from the trailer

Tier 1 Contractors have taken the step to advise that any coil trailer not fitted with the above requirements may not be permitted to operate on their sites.