Meta Description: Safety is necessary to complete the job without any risk of damage by using Mini excavators. Read to know the potential hazards and the risk factors involved in the use of this equipment.
Mini excavators are different from full-size excavators. These are small in size and less in weight. But these machines are versatile and valuable among all other machines at any job site. Commonly, it is used in excavation. But you can also use it in the digging of trenches and holes, demolishing of buildings, landscaping, repairing and clearing of snow.
You may use it carefully as you use any other equipment. This way, you can minimize the risk of accidents and injuries if you don’t focus on the correct operation of the machine. Then it may cause serious dangers such as collision with other machines, striking of workers and cave-ins.
7 Common Hazards of Using Mini Excavators – How to Avoid them?
Though we know excavators are commonly used in excavation sites. But you may also know how dangerous these sites are to work. So, it would help if you went with precautionary measures, safe equipment and tools. This way, you can minimize the risk of injuries and damages to the public, team and equipment.
It is essential for you to know the hazards that you may face at the job site. So you can take the right precautionary measures accordingly. Moreover, you may choose the right equipment with the right size.
1. Falling Loads
There are many chances of falling loads when you enter or work around the area. So, you must be cautious at that moment. However, the excavator is used in the clearing of debris. So, there are more chances of the load falling. No matter whether you are a professional or a beginner. These falling loads may happen to you.
When it is time to use an excavator, then you must consider the marking of a work area. So, it helps the machine to stay clear and move around the debris to clean it. Make sure to follow the instructions to pile debris away from the excavation trench.
2. Cave-Ins
When you dig under the ground using the excavator, it can dislodge the soil overhead. No matter whether you plan to support the edges. There are more chances of the cave-in injuring you. In most cases, cave-ins become the cause of death.
So, it is necessary for you to follow all the instructions to shore up the trench edges. Make sure to dig the sloping walls to create a secure working area. You may also use hydro-excavation for the safe removal of debris.
3. Exposure or Damage to Underground Utilities
When it is time to excavate underground, then there are a lot of things that may cause a hazard. These include buried, gas, water and electrical lines. However, check the city’s documentation to know the location of underground utilities. But it is only possible in some cases. There are many chances when lines need to be in marked locations. So, these may become the cause of injury risk.
Therefore, many chances are there when you use the machine without knowing the line is here. So, it is good to consider the use of a vacuum excavator truck to know the location. It is the best way to dig buried lines and pipes.
No doubt, you need to be more careful with buried utilities. However, these require more care compared to dirt and debris removal. So, you must be a skilled operator to avoid any damage to utility lines.
4. Toxic Air
When you damage the gas lines of the excavation site, then these can contaminate the air around the site. Obviously, it may cause toxic air until you call the gas company to repair it. Don’t consider that gas is only the cause of toxic air.
There are still many other factors that may contaminate the air. These may be dust, dirt, low oxygen level and other gases. As a result, contaminated air can be dangerous to workers’ health. Not only this, but toxic air may also become hazardous for nearby homes and buildings.
So, it is necessary to test your atmosphere before start digging. Make sure to clean the atmosphere to breathe in without any risk of danger.
To minimize the risk of toxic air, you may use a hydro excavator. It can minimize the amount of dust and dirt that disperse in the air.
5. Moving equipment
Obviously, a large machine is difficult to move. Therefore, mini excavators are the best option for moving around the site. Moreover, it keeps the workers safe and sound.
Make sure to assign a spotter to the machine. So, it helps the machine to move in the right direction when there is a need. Make sure to use a flag that is a warning to workers that the machine is in working and moving.
Make sure to allow the workers and machine operators to wear safety apparel and equipment. These may be gloves, goggles, hard hats and safety vests.
6. Employee Falls
There are many chances of employees falling on debris, dirt and equipment. It means there are more chances of being injured. In case a worker falls on the excavator or a trench, he may suffer from serious injury.
So, it is necessary to mark all the dangerous areas of the site. Make sure to train all the workers to stay away from debris and equipment.
Moreover, always remember nearby passers and other people. Make sure to tell them about the marked excavation site to protect them from injury. For this, you may add protective barriers to keep others away from the accidental site.
7. Unstable Structures
Do you think that excavation will affect the stability of other structures? Obviously, your thinking is right. So, make sure to put a plan to avoid falling of towers, poles and small structures during excavation.
Make sure to warn the building owners about the excavation site. Moreover, make sure to prepare the secure poles during excavation.
You can also use hydro-vac trucks for the excavation of nearby structures. You may protect the nearby structures from being unstable. Another better option is to go for remote digging.
Safety Protocols to Follow While Using Mini Excavators
BEFORE OPERATING
It is optional that you should go for safety measures during operation. You should also start following safety measures before operation. The following are some steps that can help you safely use the equipment:
• Get trained:
It is a good idea to operate an mini excavator by getting training. It may maximize the risk of accidents and violation of OSHA rules.
• Become familiar with the equipment:
Never think that two pieces of equipment are totally the same. So, it is necessary for you to use the equipment that best suits your needs. For this, read the manual to get an idea of how to operate this machine.
• Check the mirrors and windows:
Another factor is to check all the mirrors and windows while operating the machine. So it can minimize the risk of damage. Make sure to adjust all the mirrors to check what is happening behind you.
• Test the controls:
Make sure to know the locations of pedals, levers and joysticks. This way, you can get an idea about the control of the machine. Ensure that the attachments are properly and safely fastened.
• Survey the work area:
You should also check the entire work area to know if there is any slope or uneven spot. The reason is that slop may cause a safety risk.
• Wear a seat belt:
Make sure to rent an excavator with seat belts. The reason is that seat belts can keep you safe and comfortable while operating the machine.
WHILE OPERATING
The following are safety measures that you should follow during the operation of the mini excavator:
• Proper slope navigation:
When you are operating the machine or in hilly terrains, then it is good to move up and down vertically. Never go diagonally because it may maximize the risk of tipping and sliding.
• Keep the bucket close to the ground:
When you have to transport loads from one place to another, then it is necessary to keep the bucket of mini digger close to the ground.
• Maintain a safe speed:
Make sure to move at a medium speed when you are operating along rough terrains.
• Don’t exceed bucket load capacity:
There are many forms and sizes of buckets available with different load capacities. So, it is good to make sure the limit that your bucket can handle. Stay within the limit. Otherwise, it may cause tipping and sliding.
• Prevent cave-ins:
Another common danger that you need to prevent is cave-ins. For this, you may need to keep the dirt under the tracks. So, your machine may run at the level during digging.
• Don’t swing while loading:
Make sure to don’t swing the bucket when you are loading the machine. It is not the best idea to clean the bucket by striking it on the ground.
AFTER OPERATING
The following are some tips that you must follow after you have done an operation with excavators:
• Lower the bucket and park safely:
When you have done the operation, it is time to turn off the machine. Then you must check whether the bucket is on the ground. Otherwise, it may fall on the worker and cause serious injury.
• Reduce the RPMs:
Make sure to operate the machine at medium speed before turning it off. This way, the machine cools the engine and turbocharger.
• Remove the key:
Never leave the key in the ignition. Otherwise, there are many chances of theft. Make sure to lock the machine and remove the key.
• Exit safely:
Don’t try to jump off the machine. Make sure to use a handle or a resistant surface to exit safely.
Selfcare Tips to Follow
Though mini excavators are much more versatile, durable and highly performed. So, you may use this machine in many jobs. But make sure to rent a safe and secure operator. The following are some essential tips that you should follow while using the mini excavator:
1. WEAR THE PROPER PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
At first, an operator needs to wear the right equipment to ensure complete safety. Make sure to wear a vest, hard hat and safety glasses. For some applications, you need to wear safety gloves and something to protect your ears.
2. MANAGE THREE POINTS OF CONTACT WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING
Make sure to consider three points of contact when you have to enter or exit the machine. These points may be feet and hand or hand and a foot. This way, you can enhance stability and minimize the risk of falls.
3. WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT
Though the speed of the excavator is less compared to a car. But still, you need to wear a seat belt for safety. This way, you can keep yourself protected from overturns or collides.
4. USE THE SAFETY INTERLOCK
Now, many excavators are available with safety locks. This way, you can keep yourself protected from bumping into levers. Moreover, it prevents you from accidents or injuries when you have to exit the machine. Not only this, interlocks help you to lock all the components of the machine.
5. USE THE CAMERA FEATURE
Now, there are many mini excavators available with the camera feature. It allows you to get a wide shot or close-up view of the behind area. This way, you can prevent colliding the machine with people and other objects.
6. MAINTAIN PROPER BLADE POSITIONING WHILE DIGGING
Another tip is the maintenance of blade positioning during digging. When you are operating an excavator with 8 tons. Then make sure to keep the blade in the front position. When you are operating an excavator with 3 tons. Then make sure to keep the blade in the back position. This way, you can keep the machine stable.
Final Thoughts:
We have discussed everything about mini excavators. These machines are versatile and are used in many job sites. You must consider renting this excavator because when you will buy it.
Then obviously, it will be more expensive than renting it. However, the mini excavator is used in many jobs but only in some jobs. So, it is up to you which task you want to perform. So, you can rent the right size and weight the machine!
