Prevent Hydraulic Accidents: What You Need to Know About the Dutch Working Conditions Act and EKH

Working with hydraulically powered equipment means working with machinery that operates under high pressure. If this equipment is not handled with sufficient care, it can result in damage or serious physical injury. That is why it is important to understand the applicable hydraulic safety requirements. The Dutch Working Conditions Act and EKH guidelines provide guidance on the inspection of hydraulic equipment. In this article, I’ll explain more about these requirements.

Hydraulic failure involves significant risks. For example, cylinders can collapse, potentially trapping you or a colleague beneath the load. Hoses operating under high pressure also pose a risk. A damaged hose, for example, can cause a 700-bar oil injection injury, where oil penetrates the body under extremely high pressure, potentially causing serious injury. This is something you obviously want to prevent.

Inspection by Competent Personnel

The Dutch Working Conditions Act requires hydraulic equipment to be inspected annually by competent personnel. Because hoses and couplings can develop leaks relatively quickly, it is important to have them maintained and inspected in good time. Beyond this, the Working Conditions Act provides limited specific guidance, unlike the guidelines issued by EKH (Erkende Keurbedrijven Hijs- en Hefmiddelen – Certified Inspection Companies for Lifting and Hoisting Equipment).

What Does the Inspection Include?

The EKH guidelines go further than the Working Conditions Act when it comes to inspection requirements. They prescribe, among other things, a dynamic test at least once a year as part of the periodic inspection.

Unlike a static test, a dynamic test examines the cylinder plunger across its entire stroke. During a static test, the cylinder plunger is tested at only a number of positions. This creates a risk that a leak in the cylinder may go undetected because the static test does not cover that particular location.

Testing All Hydraulic Components

EKH specifies that all hydraulic components must be tested. In addition to cylinders, this includes hoses, pumps and couplings.

Hoses and couplings are particularly vulnerable, mainly because damage to these components is not always visible from the outside. A hose may, for example, have been kinked, causing internal damage that can no longer withstand the high operating pressure. A coupling may also have become bent or distorted. This can lead to accidents and/or minor leaks that prevent the equipment from functioning properly.

To prevent these and other hazardous situations, it is important to test all components, checking for both visible and internal damage.

The Pre-Use Check

Remember that an inspection only reflects the condition of the equipment at a specific point in time. In addition to the annual inspection, a visual inspection before use – the pre-use check – is therefore crucial.

Hoses in particular can become so severely damaged shortly after an inspection that they should no longer be used. For example, if a colleague drives over a hose with a forklift truck, there is a significant risk that the steel reinforcement inside the hose has been damaged. Always check aspects such as operating pressure, oil leakage and the correct functioning of the various components.

Tip: Pay Attention to the Working Environment

Prevention is always better than cure. To use hydraulic equipment safely and maximise its service life, it is important to be aware of how vulnerable it can be.

For example, make sure different activities are properly separated. At customers in the maritime industry, I regularly see welding taking place close to hydraulic hoses. Hydraulic hoses may also be positioned directly in routes used by forklift trucks and other vehicles. Greater awareness is essential – not only to comply with regulations, but above all to ensure the safety of employees.

Discover How to Work Safely with Hydraulics

Looking for more tips on working more safely and responsibly with hydraulic equipment? Watch the YouTube videos from Holmatro, Mennens’ hydraulics partner. In these videos, hydraulic experts share tips on working more safely and responsibly with hydraulic equipment.

Inspection and Maintenance: Make an Appointment

Want to ensure maximum safety? Have your hydraulic tools inspected and maintained periodically. Contact your nearest Mennens branch to make an appointment.