2026 marks a series of milestones for ALLMI and the UK lorry loader industry
2026 Milestones
2026 marks a series of milestones for ALLMI and the UK lorry loader industry.
35 Years – BS 7121 Part 2
In 1991, publication took place for the first version of ‘BS 7121 Code of practice for safe use of cranes - Part 2: Inspection, testing and examination’. Part 2 initially excluded tests for lorry loaders, which remained covered by BS 1757, and then BS 7121 Part 4:1997, until BS 7121 Part 2:2003 was produced. Since 2012, Part 2 has contained sub-sections for different crane types, with the revision of Part 2-4, which covers lorry loaders, being published in 2025.
20 Years – Operators’ Forum Established
20 years ago in 2006, having previously only granted membership to manufacturers, service companies and ancillary equipment suppliers, ALLMI opened its doors to fleet owners by establishing its Operators’ Forum division.
The move has proved to be a great success and one which has played a key role in ALLMI’s impressive growth and development.
ALLMI CEO, Tom Wakefield, comments “In 2005, we received interest from several fleet owners regarding membership of ALLMI and this coincided with discussions we were already having concerning ways in which we could expand the Association and be even more effective in achieving our aim of raising standards throughout the lorry loader industry. The solution was obvious and in February 2006 we held the inaugural meeting of the Operators’ Forum, which has since grown significantly year on year. There’s no doubt that having fleet owners on board facilitates a greater interchange of ideas and opinions, which further improves our ability to identify and address the key issues affecting safety and good practice.”
Details on how to join ALLMI, as well as a directory of its members, can be found here.
15 Years – BS EN 12999
2011 witnessed the publication of the revised European design Standard, ‘BS EN 12999:2011 Cranes - Loader Cranes’. Being the first revision since the publication of the amended Machinery Directive at the end of 2009, this covered requirements for noise testing of completed installations, stabiliser interlocks, crane not stowed warnings to be visual and audible, and hydraulic stabiliser not stowed warnings.
10 Years – ALLMI Joins Build UK
During 2016, ALLMI took up membership of Build UK, the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry. 10 years on and the mutually valued relationship is stronger than ever, with ALLMI training being listed in the Build UK Training Standard – please click here.
5 Years – New Website and Lift Planning Calculator
2021 saw the launch of the current ALLMI website, elevating the Association’s service provision to the lorry loader industry. The new site also facilitated the launch of the ALLMI ‘Lift Planning Calculator’, a tool assisting with the lift planning process, covering issues such as stabiliser loadings, mat sizes, rated capacity utilisation, permissible wind speeds, and sling selection. The Lift Planning Calculator can be accessed by clicking here.
25 Years – ALLMI Training Ltd In 2001, the Association established ALLMI Training Ltd, which led to the birth of the ALLMI training scheme in its current form, a development which had a far-reaching impact on the standard of operating practices. ALLMI and ALLMI Training Ltd were subsequently merged in 2005 to form ALLMI Ltd. |
20 Years – Slinger / Signaller Course 2006 also saw ALLMI launch its Slinger / Signaller course. With demand having gone from strength to strength over the last 20 years, the course has played a crucial role in raising the standard of slinger / signaller practices within the lorry loader industry. For information on the Slinger / Signaller course, as well as training for other lorry loader lifting team roles, please click here. |
15 Years – Manager Courses 2011 was also the year in which ALLMI launched its range of manager courses, assisting companies across the lorry loader industry in bolstering their compliance with the requirements of PUWER 9.2. Please click here for further information. |
10 Years - ALLMI Achieves CSCS Approval Also in 2016, having been audited against the Construction Leadership Council’s requirements for the One Industry Logo initiative, the ALLMI training scheme achieved CSCS approval, further enhancing its reputation throughout the construction sector. Now being audited twice per annum, ALLMI continues to maintain its CSCS status and is also a key part of the CSCS Alliance. |
5 Years – Hot Tub Guidance In the same year, ALLMI collaborated with the British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA), the Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association (SPATA), and the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) to develop guidance covering the safe lifting of hot tubs, exercise spas and one-piece swimming pools. This, and other guidance material relating to various aspects of lorry loader safe use, can be accessed here. |