SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

BOGGED VEHICLE RECOVERY

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Only use approved recovery gear and load-rated shackles, etc, for load-bearing purposes and vehicle recovery.
Task sequence
Identified hazards in task
Key processes to be followed
Precautions / PPE required
1. Preparation for recovery
Falling objects, breakage
Vehicles should carry recovery equipment appropriate for the vehicle and
Equipment should include at least
the type of country being travelled. Drivers should be familiar with recovery 2 3.5t (min.) D or bow shackles,
procedures and driving techniques to minimise risk of bogging.
shovel, slings or 3m chain with
Foreign objects in eyes, cuts Drivers should ensure that suitable protective equipment (gloves, safety
eye and grab hook, other gear as
and abrasions to hands
glasses, etc) are carried on the vehicle for use with the recovery equipment.
listed for use with equipment.
Failure of equipment
Reduce load on slings, cables, and straps by clearing built up material from
Always reduce load on and in
wheels, and digging a ramp to assist movement when towed or winched.
vehicle before recovery. Remove
Clear underneath vehicle to ensure that wheels have good ground contact.
passengers, luggage, etc.
Damage to vehicle
Recovery equipment must only be attached to parts of vehicle or
DO NOT attach slings or straps
components specifically designed for towing or recovery.
to towball, or to tie-down points.
Check that towbar can withstand recovery loading before attaching straps.
Do not attach to light-duty bars.
2. Use of power winches
Damage to vehicle
Winches must be securely mounted to vehicle chassis or a properly designed Regularly inspect mounting bolts,
and constructed collision bar. Winches must be correct voltage for vehicle.
and retighten or replace if loose.
Overloading of winch motor Always stay within winch manufacturers load specifications.
Ensure that winch is suitable for
Use snatch block to halve load on winch and double pull on vehicle.
the weight of the vehicle.
Flying objects
Ensure that anchor point is capable of taking applied load before winching.
Anchor 0.5m above ground.
Do not kink winch cable, bend cable sharply, or hook it back onto itself.
Keep cable straight, avoid coils
Wrap cable around anchor point using a shackle, or, if anchoring to a tree,
and twisting; use shackles.
attach winch cable to a tree trunk protector using a shackle. Use chain or
Place strap 0.5m above ground.
wire rope for extra length do not use snatch strap with power winches.
Use trunk protector around tree.
Avoid jerking of winch cable and slings, etc, take up any slack slowly.
Take up all slack before applying
Drape damper bag or heavy blanket over cable approx. 2metres from end.
full load to cables and slings, etc.
Keep clear of winch cable under load keep observers well clear of cable. Avoid jerking or sudden loading.
Select 1st gear (low ratio), and keep engine revs just above idle to assist.
Drive slowly, avoid wheel spin.
3. Use of manual winches
Wire rope breakage
Ensure that rope lays correctly on drum when under load avoid pinching
Wear leather or similar gloves
and flattening of rope through incorrect spooling during rewinding.
when handling wire ropes.
Ensure that rope is capable of taking load imposed by bogged vehicle.
Wear eye protection. Do not
Hand injury
Use ratchet when rewinding under load to prevent handle spinning.
stand in line with tensioned cable.
4. Use of hi-lift jacks
Falling vehicle
Always place suitable packing under foot of jack to prevent it tipping or
Monitor stability of vehicle when
slipping under load when vehicle is raised and jack tends to tilt over.
raised. Avoid jerky movements.
Always chock wheels before raising vehicle on any type of jack.
Make sure vehicle does not move.
Use blocks, timber, stands, etc, to support vehicle before getting underneath. Avoid bumping jack when placing
Never place any part of the body under a vehicle supported solely by a jack.
supports under vehicle.
Keep jacks free of mud and dust, and regularly spray with CRC or WD40.
Do not oil or grease jack.

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ASSA 2011

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SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

BOGGED VEHICLE RECOVERY
Task sequence
5. Use of air jacks

6. Use of recovery (snatch)

strap

Identified hazards in task

Deflation of air jack
Falling vehicle
Failure under load

Overloading of straps

Personal injury to persons

7. Care and maintenance of

recovery gear

Wear and corrosion

Wear and damage to straps

Key processes to be followed

Keep jack clear of hot parts and sharp objects which may puncture bag.
Always place air jack under flat surface of vehicle (not diff. or gearbox).
Never work on a vehicle while being supported by an air jack.
Only use properly designed and constructed straps for vehicle recovery.
Inspect straps for cuts, chafing, burns, sand, mud, or paint or pen marks.
Minimum breaking strain of strap used should be between 2-3 times the
GVM of the lighter of the vehicles involved in the recovery operation.
Clear sand or mud from wheels in direction of pull to ease load on strap.
Position tow vehicle in line with stranded vehicle (not more than 10o from
straight) with distance between them 2-3 m less than the length of the strap.
Lay strap out with no twists or kinks, and attach to suitable recovery points.
Form an S-shaped loop of strap near middle of strap, and drape recovery
damper bag or heavy blanket across strap near mid-point as a recoil damper.
Use only approved lifting shackles (min. WWL 3.5t) to attach strap to
vehicles. Back pins off turn to prevent seizing of pins after loading.
Avoid joining straps if possible. To join straps, pass ends of each strap
through eye of other, and pull through. Insert rolled up magazine through
joint between straps to prevent over tightening and allow separation.
One person only to direct recovery (normally disabled vehicle).
Recovery vehicle should accelerate steadily to approx. 10 km/h, and bogged
vehicle driver attempt to drive out as slack in strap is taken up.
Ensure that load is placed on strap in an even manner, avoid jerking.
Do not impose sudden loading on recovery gear or fittings.
Always ensure that all persons are removed from danger zone (drivers
excepted.) Keep all persons at least 1.5 times strap length to sides of
vehicles, and never stand in front or behind either vehicle.
Slacken pressure off all parts before removing straps.
Wash sand and mud from jacks and components after use, ands apply light
coating of anti-corrosion or de-watering fluid (such as CRC or WD40).
Check shackles for wear, damage or distortion, replace if faulty.
Clean strap with warm water and mild detergent, allow to dry thoroughly.
Check strap for nicks, cuts, wear or damage. Replace if strap is faulty.
Always refer to manufacturers care instructions to clean and maintain
recovery gear and snatch straps.

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Precautions / PPE required

Avoid contact of bladder with
parts that may damage air bag.
Use solid support for vehicle.
Never apply shock loads to other
than properly designed straps.
Do not use straps if damaged.
Do not overload snatch straps.
Build ramp in front of all wheels
to facilitate recovery. Ensure that
belly of vehicle is clear.
Lay strap out before attaching.
Ensure that al persons are well
clear of strap before recovery.
Do not use untested shackles
which may fail under load.
Do not use shackles to join straps.
Ensure that both straps are able to
withstand imposed loads.
Agree on signals before starting.
Do not run and jerk use steady
momentum and strap elasticity to
move disabled vehicle.
Ensure that all persons are clear
of danger zone before starting
recovery procedure.
Avoid running over strap.
Keep moving parts and mating
surfaces clean.
Do not use faulty equipment.
Clean mud, sand, etc from straps
and dry thoroughly before storing.
Store straps and gear in suitable
bag or container to keep clean.

ASSA 2011

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