Reminder: South Australian Glass and Panel Carrying Vehicles
Published 29 November 2021
As we race towards the silly season, I thought it might be timely to remind you all that the amnesty period for T Handle Clamps on Glass and Panel Carrying vehicles in South Australia is due to end on 31 December 2021. This means that from 1 January 2022, if you are using T handle clamps lower than 2 metres from ground level on your vehicle you are at risk of having your vehicle defected by SA Police.
Changes for Glass and Panel Carrying vehicles came into effect earlier this year, but the grace period has now come to an end.
The main changes to existing vehicles are to do with the front bolsters and T handle clamps:
- Front bolsters need a shield panel to deflect a pedestrian who walks into the side of the vehicle’s cabin. The panel should be angled backwards (a minimum of 15 degrees) or rounded, from the line of the cabin. The panel does not need to be wider than the foot but if it is wider it is also acceptable.
- T-Handle clamp adjusters located lower than 2 metres from ground level will not be accepted after 1 January 2022. These clamps will need to be replaced with an alternative that is less likely to injure a pedestrian such as a turn wheel design.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch. Below is the AGWA Glass Panel Vehicles Safety Bulletin for your reference.
Bulletin #1: Frame and Load Requirements
This fact sheet outlines the regulations for standard light utilities and up to 4.5 tonne cab chassis converted to glass carrying vehicles by adding internal and/or external frames.
Summary
- Any attachment to a vehicle must be designed to minimise the risk of an injury to a person coming into contact with the vehicle.
- The total width of the glass and panel carrying A-frame must be no more than 2.5 metres wide.
- A-frames must have front bolster panels, at least the width of the foot or base section of the frame, and must cover sharp edges.
- Any sharp or protruding edges of the rack and clamps must be modified to minimise (as much as is reasonable) the injury risk to a pedestrian or cyclist.
- Any protruding edges should have increased visibility by the installation of reflectors to alert passers-by to the potential of injury should they pass too close.
- T-handle clamp adjusters located lower than 2 metres from ground level will not be accepted in South Australia after 1 January, 2022.
Bulletin #1: Frame and Load Requirements
AGWA Safety Guidance Documents and Fact Sheets