ESTA pressing for improved SPMT training and maintenance

ESTA is considering whether to create a Europe-wide system of training for SPMT operators similar to its growing European Crane Operators Licence scheme.

Following informal talks with industry leaders, ESTA is setting up a special working group to agree the scope of the project.

The working group will also discuss updating ESTA’s 2016 SPMT Best Practice Guide to include expanded information on trailer maintenance.

Concern has been growing in the industry at the lack of recognised training qualifications and the need to improve safety standards as the SPMT market grows.

Many of the biggest European heavy and abnormal transport companies have expressed support for ESTA’s move. They include Collett, Cometto, Fagioli, Mammoet, Scheuerle, Sarens, Technip and Wagenborg Nedlift.

ESTA Director Ton Klijn said: “It has been increasingly clear that SPMT training and operational standards need to be improved, both for reasons of project management efficiency as well as safety.”

ESTA’s well-received best practice guide for the use of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) was first published in 2016 and was translated into six languages to meet demand from across Europe.

The guide was originally intended to help address the problem of trailers occasionally tipping over, even though the existing operating rules and stability calculations had been followed.

The first edition of the guide is still available for free download from ESTA’s website in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish.

To download the first edition of the SPMT best practice guide, go here https://estaeurope.eu/best-practice-guide-for-self-propelled-modular-transporters-spmt/