Mini excavators are versatile machines that can easily navigate job sites to move earth, dig holes, compact, demolish obstacles, repair pipes, clear sites and assist with landscaping work. However, while they are incredibly useful, there are risks with improper use of these heavy vehicles.
This guide will provide valuable mini excavator safety tips. They will help you prevent accidents and show your workers how to use the vehicle safely. By covering what to do before, during and after the operation of a mini excavator, you can ensure the safety of your operators.
Safe operation goes beyond using the machine. Before you get in, turn on or touch the machine, ensure you have completed everything on this checklist:
Scan the environment: Make sure the road and environment you drive the machine through are clear of hazards. While a mini excavator can be used to clear a site and demolish some obstacles, it is best to avoid hazards when possible.
Get the proper training: New operators and operators unfamiliar with a mini excavator. Make sure you never operate heavy equipment like mini excavators without the necessary training to avoid accidents and use the vehicle properly. More than just affecting your safety and efficiency of your work, you might be committing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violation without this training.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle: Even if you have experience with mini excavators, it’s important to remember that no two machines will be exactly the same. Different makes and models can differ more than you expect regarding control layout, power and other attributes. Ensure you read the owner’s manual and get to know what all the controls do before you start operating the machine.
Testing controls: The best way to test the controls is to find where all the pedals, levers and buttons are located. If you are using additional attachments, double-check that they are functioning and properly secured.
Align mirrors and clear windows: Maintaining maximum visibility is a key part of using a mini excavator safely. Your mirrors need to be aligned so you can clearly see everything around you. Clean windows and your windscreen so your vision is unobscured. This minimizes the risk of an accident and helps you see what you are doing.
12 Essential Mini Excavator Operator Safety Tips
While operating a mini excavator, follow these tips on the job site to prevent accidents and improve efficiency:
Wear your seat belt and PPE: Secure yourself with your seat belt to keep you safe and comfortable while driving. Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects you in and out of the vehicle. A reflective vest will help you stand out and be more visible on the work site. A hard hat, durable boots and tinted safety glasses are essential PPE for all construction workers operating a heavy vehicle.
Position the bucket: While transporting loads, it’s best to keep your bucket close to the ground to provide better stability and make it easier to carry loads. This positioning also prevents debris from falling out of the bucket and onto the cab.
Monitor the blade extensions: Keeping blade extensions in the right position while digging is important. For mini excavators lighter than three tons, the blade should be positioned in the back for stability. The blade should be in the front for heavier mini excavators that weigh more than eight tons.
Drive at a safe speed: Slow down while driving over rough terrain and through busier areas of your work site. Drive at a reasonable speed at all times and keep an eye on your speed while carrying a heavy load. Since mini excavators are not made to drive in traffic, if you must drive on or across a road, have an escort vehicle to lead the way.
Navigate slopes carefully: Working on a site with lots of hills and varying levels of elevation can be tricky to navigate in your mini excavator. Be sure to avoid driving diagonally on hills and slopes. The best method is to make small steering adjustments when changing directions.
Avoid swinging with loads: Do not swing the bucket or cab when using the excavator or carrying heavy loads. You should also avoid striking the bucket on the ground when trying to remove leftover dirt and debris in the bucket.
Watch the cameras: Certain mini excavators come with backup and side-view cameras as an enhanced safety feature. The camera will help you drive and can be used for wide-angle shots or close-up views of what’s behind you. If you have a worksite with many hazards, obstacles and people, this feature can make navigating safely through your work areas easy.
Avoid cave-ins: A common hazard you must avoid on work sites is cave-ins. To reduce the risk of cave-ins, keep placing dirt under your mini excavator tracks to keep your vehicle level while you dig and deposit soil. Ensure you do this as far away from your worksite as possible.
Run at half throttle: The best way to cool the turbocharger and engine of your vehicle after use is to run it again at half throttle for a few minutes.
Park properly: Rest the bucket on the ground before turning off the machine. If you leave your bucket raised, it might fall on a pedestrian or worker. Park your mini excavator on a level surface to prevent it from rolling while stationary.
Exit safely: The proper way to dismount from a mini excavator is to use the track, grab handles or skid-resistant surfaces. These are designed to keep you from falling or skidding while getting in or out of the machine.
Take the key out: You greatly decrease the risk of theft by locking the doors and removing your keys from an unattended vehicle. You should also lock the safety switch to keep the machine from inadvertently moving or shifting.
Get More Information From Gregory Poole Equipment Company
Since 1951, Gregory Poole Equipment Company has been providing Cat® excavators and equipment to businesses throughout eastern North Carolina. With over 60 years of experience in the industry, we have the insight and expertise to answer all your questions and find you the perfect vehicle. We know everything about our machines, including the best ways to operate them safely.
To learn more about excavators, heavy vehicles and construction equipment, browse through our blog for more safety tips and equipment recommendations from the pros. Contact Gregory Poole Equipment Company to learn more about our offerings and what we can do for you.
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