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Recover, remove and transport motorcycles

URN: IMIRR08
Business Sectors (Suites): Vehicle Recovery
Developed by: IMI
Approved on: 2023

Overview

This standard is about recovering motorcycles from on and off-road positions to a suitable on road or hard standing ready for onward transportation.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

P1 identify and wear suitable personal protective equipment throughout all motorcycle recovery activities 
P2 carry out a daily check, in accordance with your company procedures and manufacturer’s recommendations, on the vehicle and equipment being used for the recovery operation 
P3 carry out a dynamic risk assessment of the motorcycle and its location prior to commencing recovery activities
P4 continue to assess the situation throughout the recovery and transportation process 
P5 make justifiable decisions for a course of action based upon the information gained from your initial assessment of the situation
P6 conduct all removal and transportation activities following:

P6.1 legal requirements
P6.2 workplace procedures
P6.3 industry codes of practice
P6.4 health and safety requirements
P6.5 manufacturer's operating instructions 
P7 work in a way which minimises the risk of: 

P7.1 further damage to the motorcycle 
P7.2 damage to your working environment 
P7.3 contact with leakages or hazardous substances 
P7.4 injury to self or others
P8 promptly inform the relevant authorities where the condition of the motorcycle and its removal presents a hazard 
P9 ensure motorcycle has been made safe prior to undertaking any recovery or transportation activities 
P10 use the most suitable recovery method based upon: 

P10.1 your initial assessment of the incident and roadside conditions 
P10.2 motorcycle type, condition and position 
P10.3 the risks and hazards involved 
P10.4 available resources 
P11 accurately calculate the effort needed to right and winch motorcycles back onto the road, when necessary 
P12 promptly and clearly inform the relevant person(s) of: 

P12.1 the recovery method to be used 
P12.2 any implications affecting them or the motorcycle 
P13 promptly report viable options for action to your recovery controller where the recovery vehicle and recovery equipment to hand prove unsuitable 
P14 gain agreement to your plans from the relevant person(s) prior to commencement 
P15 store all personal effects and loads in a secure location 
P16 promptly seek guidance and assistance from the relevant person(s) where loads require specialist handling and transfer procedures 
P17 ensure the motorcycle is secured safely on a suitable hard surface ready for transportation 
P18 ensure the recovery site is left free of all debris, waste, tools and equipment prior to leaving and dispose of any waste in accordance to environmental requirements 
P19 ensure all your records are accurate and complete and passed promptly to the relevant person(s)

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

Legislative and organisational requirements and procedures
K1 the relevant legal requirements, health and safety requirements and industry codes of practice governing site protection and recovery operations 
K2 your organisation's operating, reporting and recording procedures for accident recovery 
K3 the limitations of your authority for dealing with hazardous substances and hazardous situations 
K4 the dangers associated with accident recovery operations and how to reduce the risks to yourself, customers and other road users 
K5 how to work safely and effectively at the scene of a motorcycle accident 
K6 the importance of wearing appropriate personal protective equipment 
K7 how to complete records accurately and the importance of doing so 
K8 the importance of adhering to a robust, documented handover procedure
K9 company operating procedures to follow if a casualty vehicle is to be kept on-site

Vehicle recovery equipment
K10 the types, purpose and use of relevant vehicle r*ecovery equipment 
K11 the importance of carrying out a daily check on the recovery vehicle 
K12 how to fit and use loading and transportation equipment for the types of motorcycle you deal with 
K13 the basic principles of winch operation including rolling, gradient and damage resistance forces 

Vehicle recovery
K14 how to identify high energy systems within motorcycles and how they might affect the recovery and storage process 
K15 on site accident recovery planning and control techniques 
K16 the authorities who may have an interest in incident situations and the importance of liaising with them and following their instructions 
K17 how to assess the most suitable recovery method for the type of incident, type of motorcycle, the location and the condition of the motorcycle involved 
K18 the basic principles of manually handling and manoeuvring a motorcycle
K19 how and when to engage the assistance of the motorcycle rider in manoeuvring the motorcycle
K20 the effect of *weather and roadside conditions on recovery operations 
K21 the effect of the design and contents of the motorcycle on the recovery operation 
K22 the effect of motorcycle condition and position on the recovery operation 
K23 the operation of motorcycle braking and transmission systems 
K24 how to prepare and secure motorcycles for recovery 
K25 the principles of loading and load containment 
K26 how to recover motorcycles without inflicting further damage 
K27 the requirements for securing personal effects and loads 
K28 how to use site to base communication methods 
K29 the hazards associated with high energy electrical motorcycle components 
K30 how to identify motorcycles that may be carrying hazardous substances 
K31 how to check for and suitably deal with any spillages and load loss 
K32 the importance of reporting and seeking guidance from others when hazardous substances are present at an incident site 
K33 how to clear accident sites and make them safe prior to moving off 

Winching techniques
K34 how to carry out pre-winching checks
K35 the implications of working at height in relation to routine operator checks and basic maintenance, loading and unloading of vehicles
K36 the principles of winch theory, resistances to winching a casualty and stabilisation of the vehicle
K37 the function of all operating controls for a winch
K38 the safe working load of all ancillary equipment in various configurations
K39 the points to inspect on the winch rope and terminal fixings, the range and signs of possible rope damage and the limits to rope wear and tear that are acceptable for winching

Scope/range

1. Recovery equipment is: 

1.1. transporters 
1.2. vehicle mounted recovery systems 
1.3. winches 
1.4. truck mounted loaders 
1.5. underlifts 
1.6. trailers 
1.7. spec lifts/support lifts 
1.8. dollies
1.9. ramps 
1.10. motorcycle wheel chock
1.11. straps

2. Roadside is: 

2.1. off a live carriageway (driveway, car park) 
2.2. on a live carriageway, including smart motorways and emergency refuge areas

3. Weather conditions are: 

3.1. poor visibility 
3.2. light 
3.3. dark 
3.4. dry 
3.5. rain 
3.6. snow 
3.7. ice 
3.8. wind
3.9. extreme temperatures

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

This section contains examples and explanations of some of the terms used but does not form part of the standard.

*
Available resources
May include the motorcycle rider

Carriageway 
Examples include rural roads, urban roads and motorways, in hazardous and non- hazardous situations. 

Industry Codes of Practice 
The current Code of Practice for Safe Roadside Working.

Pre-winching checks*
To include deploying the winch rope for a visual inspection, carrying out a practical check on all operating functions of the equipment including safety devices, winch controls and winch security as appropriate

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2026

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

IMI

Original URN

RR08

Relevant Occupations

Vehicle Recovery Operator, Vehicle Recovery Technical Operator

SOC Code

5231

Keywords

Recover; remove; transport; motorcycles; accident; incident; breakdown;