When used correctly, excavators are vital tools to many businesses, making light work of jobs that would be next to impossible without them. However, in the wrong hands and not treated with respect, they can prove deadly.
The first step is to receive the correct training from an authorised training facility on how to operate an excavator. This will ensure that you know the correct safety procedures and that you are confident when in control as one wrong move may result in extensive damage or worse. Appropriate PPE should be worn at all times.
During work, the operator must ensure that there is suitable clearance for the tail swing around and at the rear of the machine. This is a very dangerous area and should be barricaded to stop people entering. If someone does enter the danger area, then there should be a method of alerting the operator, such as a radio or hand signals.
Loading trailers should only be done from the side or rear and the bucket or load must never be slewed directly over people. The material being loaded should be emptied gently and not dropped from an excessive height.
In the working position, the wheels or tracks should be placed at 90 degrees to the work face for stability. You should avoid creating dangerous overhangs when working on a high work face. While working on a work face below the excavator, you should never undercut to the extent that it affects the machine’s stability.
When working on a gradient, the working cycle should be slowed down to aid stability and the bucket should not be extended too far in the downward direction, which may cause the excavator to lose balance and tip over.
When operating in confined spaces or in the vicinity of other people, banks men must be used for large excavators. Banks men keep watch over the area and tell the operator when they are safe to move the excavator. When travelling around the site, the bucket should be tucked into the machine and kept clear of the ground.
Excavators must be kept in good working order and all safety systems must be both in place and operational. Before commencing work, the operator should inspect the excavator and complete a check list for the following:
After carrying out the external checks, the operator should carry out the following in-cab checks before commencing work:
Only after all these checks are carried out and everything is in order is it safe to commence work. This checklist must be filled out at the start of every shift and a record of them kept.
Underground electricity cables
One of the biggest dangers when using an excavator is coming too close to overhead electricity wires or disturbing underground cables.
Always keep machinery clear and guard against working too close to wires as electricity can jump gaps. Never take a short cut with electricity. Always check and identify the route and location of electricity cables using competent people who are trained to use the proper cable locating equipment.
Contact the ESB Networks Dial Before U Dig service for map records of underground cables. Phone: 1850-928 960. Email: dig@esb.ie.
Electricity wires and cables are always live and it is never safe to touch them. In all emergency situations the 24/7 number is: 1850-372 999.
