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Published by SALUSToolbox Talk: Excavator Safety: Working Around Underground Utilities and Other Hazards
Date: [DATE] Duration: [DURATION] minutes Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME] Location: [LOCATION]
Objective
The objective of this toolbox talk is to ensure all personnel understand the hazards associated with operating excavators near underground utilities and other potential dangers, and to reinforce safe work practices to prevent accidents and injuries.
Introduction
Operating excavators presents various hazards, especially when working near underground utilities, power lines, and unstable ground. Striking a utility line can result in electrocution, explosions, or service disruptions. Unstable ground can cause machine rollover, and working in confined spaces introduces additional risks. This toolbox talk will cover key safety measures to mitigate these risks and ensure a safe working environment.
Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to the topic.
Key Points
- Identify Underground Utilities: Always locate and mark underground utilities before digging 4, 12.
- Maintain Safe Distances: Keep a safe distance from electrical power lines and other hazards 9, 10, 12.
- Ensure Ground Stability: Verify the ground's stability to support the machine's weight [1].
- Use Signallers: Employ a flagman to guide operators in restricted areas or when visibility is limited 4, 9, 10, 12.
- Inspect Equipment: Regularly inspect the excavator for proper functioning and maintenance [2].
Hazard Identification
- Striking Underground Utilities: Contacting gas, water, phone, or electrical lines can cause explosions, electrocution, or service interruptions 4, 12.
- Electrical Hazards: Approaching power lines can lead to electrocution or arcing, even without direct contact 9, 10.
- Unstable Ground: Operating on shoulders or filled areas can cause the machine to become unstable, leading to rollover 6, 18.
Presenter Note: Encourage participants to share any additional hazards they've encountered.
Control Measures
- Elimination: Before beginning any trenching, drilling, or other construction work it is your responsibility to be aware of all such utility lines buried in the area of your project and to avoid them [3].
- Engineering Controls: Use barricades and signage to prevent unauthorized personnel and vehicles from entering the worksite 9, 10, 12.
- Administrative Controls: Conduct thorough site assessments to identify potential hazards and establish safe work procedures [2].
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure all personnel wear appropriate PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, and high-visibility clothing [4].
Safe Work Procedures
- Locate Utilities: Contact local utility companies to mark the location of underground lines before digging 4, 12.
- Maintain Clearance: Keep the machine and its attachments a safe distance from power lines and other utilities 4, 9, 10, 12.
- Assess Ground Conditions: Check the stability of the work site to ensure it can support the machine's weight 6, 18.
- Use Spotters: Employ a flagman to guide the operator in restricted areas or when visibility is limited 4, 9, 10, 12.
- Safe Digging Practices: Do not dig under precipices or overhangs, as this can cause falling rocks or loosening of the ground [3].
Presenter Note: If possible, demonstrate the safe work procedure or use visual aids.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
- Hard Hats: Always wear a hard hat to protect against falling objects [4].
- Safety Glasses: Use safety glasses to protect against dust, debris, and other eye hazards [4].
- High-Visibility Clothing: Wear high-visibility apparel to ensure you are seen by equipment operators and other workers [4].
[Emphasize the importance of proper PPE use and maintenance]
Real-World Example or Case Study
[Provide a detailed description of a relevant real-world scenario or case study]
[Discuss what went wrong or right, and the lessons learned]
Presenter Note: Ask participants if they can relate this example to their own experiences.
Group Discussion
Discuss the following questions:
- What steps do you take to identify underground utilities before digging?
- How do you ensure ground stability when operating heavy machinery?
- What communication methods do you use with spotters and other team members?
Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.
Emergency Procedures
- If a Utility Line is Struck: Immediately stop work and evacuate the area 4, 12.
- Contact Emergency Services: Call 911 and the utility company to report the incident 4, 12.
- Keep Others Away: Prevent anyone from approaching the area until it is declared safe by authorities 4, 12.
- First Aid: Provide first aid to any injured personnel [2].
Questions and Answers
[Encourage participants to ask questions]
[Provide answers to common questions related to the topic]
- Q: What should I do if I suspect a utility line is nearby but not marked?
A: Stop work immediately and contact the utility company to verify the location of the line 4, 12.
- Q: How often should I inspect my equipment?
A: Inspect your equipment daily before starting work and after any incident [2].
- Q: What is the minimum safe distance from power lines?
A: Maintain the maximum possible distance from power lines and never violate the minimum clearance 9, 10.
Summary
- Always identify and mark underground utilities before digging 4, 12.
- Maintain safe distances from electrical power lines and other hazards 9, 10, 12.
- Ensure the ground is stable to support the machine's weight 6, 18.
- Use signallers in restricted areas or when visibility is limited 4, 9, 10, 12.
Action Items
- Review the site-specific safety plan and identify potential hazards.
- Participate in a hands-on training session on utility locating techniques.
- Conduct a daily inspection of your equipment before starting work [2].
Remember: Safety is everyone's responsibility. Take the time to do the job right.
Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.
Safety powered by SALUS
Sources used for this answer
[1] Kobelco SK235SR-2, SK235SRLC-2 Operation Manual
Page 47
Open source documentSource excerpt
## 1.6 INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE SAFETY ## A. READ CAREFULLY OPERATING/MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES Incorrect maintenance may cause not only damages on the machine, but also injury. Read and fully understand the maintenance procedures and safety precautions described in the operation and maintenance manual before performing any maintenance in this machine. ## B. CONFIRM UNDERSTANDING OF HAND SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATION USED ON JOB SITE Have a meeting before starting work on the job site. Confirm all workers understand all hand signals, flag signals and other means of communication used on the job site to avoid any accidents or injuries. ## C. ORGANIZE AND CLEAN UP WORKING AREA Organize and clean up the working area. Remove any obstacles and also remove any grease, oil, paint, broken pieces, etc., from the working area to avoid injury. ## D. "TAG-OUT" MACHINE Before performing any inspection or maintenance procedures to the machine, fill out and post to the operator's controls a "DO NOT OPERATE" tag to warn persons not to start the machine. Also inform the supervisor and all operators that the machine is under inspection or maintenance and they will be informed when the machine is ready for normal operation. <!-- image --> ## E. TOOLS & EQUIPMENT Use the proper tools and equipment for the task at hand. Know the proper use of the tools and equipment before starting any inspection or maintenance procedures. ## F. PRESSURIZED FLUIDS & LUBRICANTS Always release pressure from hydraulic reservoir, engine coolant, fuel system and all systems containing pressure before removing any caps or components. Be cautious of hot fluids and gasses from systems on machines that have just been stopped. Allow sufficient time for systems to cool before performing any inspection or maintenance procedures. ## G. AVOID HOT SURFACES & AREAS Immediately after the machine is operated, the temperature and pressure of the engine coolant, engine oil and hydraulic oil are ver…
[2] Kobelco SK235SR-2, SK235SRLC-2 Operation Manual
Page 44
Open source documentSource excerpt
## U. CHECK THAT NO PERSON IS UNDER THE BUCKET There is a possibility of accident resulting in injury or death and the damage of machine due to the fall of sand/earth and the direct contact with bucket when the bucket and attachment pass through over the worker and the driver's seat of dump truck. Do not pass the bucket through over person for safety. ## V. GROUND STABILITY Make sure the condition of the work site is stable and capable of supporting the machine weight during operation. Do not operate attachment too close to the machine. Operation of the machine on shoulders or filled areas could cause the machine to become unstable presenting a work hazard. Position the crawler at right angle to shoulder and the travel motors to the rear of the machine, allowing for quick reversal, should the work area become unstable. ## W. LIFTING <!-- image --> <!-- image --> <!-- image --> Before operating the machine, make sure the job-site of machine is clear of all persons and obstacles. And park the machine on the hard and level ground. If the machine is equipped with the level gauge, confirm the inclination of the machine with the level gauge. Do not use the tooth of bucket for lifting load. Lift the load with a special lifting device such as hook. <!-- image --> The machine for Australia equips the level gauge as standard equipment. <!-- image --> <!-- image -->
[3] Occupational Health and Safety Code
Page 125
Open source documentSource excerpt
- 191 (3) A designated signaller using hand signals must wear the high-visibility safety apparel required by the employer under subsection (2). - 191 (4) Before giving a signal to proceed, a designated signaller must ensure that there are no hazards in the vicinity. - 191 (5) If a signaller is designated, an equipment operator must take signals only from the designated signaller. - 191 (6) An employer must ensure that only one designated signaller at a time gives signals to an equipment operator. - 191 (7) Despite subsections (5) and (6), an equipment operator must take a 'STOP' signal from a worker who is not a designated signaller. - 191 (8) Despite subsections (5) and (6), if signals cannot be transmitted properly between a designated signaller and an equipment operator, an employer must ensure that - (a) additional designated signallers are available to transmit signals, or - (b) a means of ensuring clear and complete communication other than using designated signallers is provided. ## Stabilizing masonry walls - 192 An employer must ensure that temporary supporting structures - (a) are used to stabilize a masonry wall that is more than 2 metres high during its erection, and - (b) are not removed until the wall is permanently stabilized. ## Tire servicing - 193 (1) An employer must ensure that a competent worker services, inspects, disassembles and reassembles a tire or tire and wheel assembly in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. - 193 (2) An employer must ensure that the manufacturer's service manuals for tires and wheels serviced by the employer are readily available to workers. - 193 (3) An employer must ensure that a competent worker inflates a tire mounted on a split-rim or locking ring wheel only if - (a) the wheel assembly is in a tire cage or is similarly restrained, and - (b) flying parts from split-rim or locking ring failure or tire rupture can be contained. - 193 (4) An employer must ensure that a worker uses a clamp-on type of c…
[4] Kobelco SK235SR-2, SK235SRLC-2 Operation Manual
Page 43
Open source documentSource excerpt
## R. WORKING AROUND UNDER GROUND UTILITY LINES During operation it is likely that you will be working around or near buried utility lines which may include, but are not limited to: - -Electrical Power Line - -Gas Line - -Water Line - -Communication Line: Telephone or Cable Television Before begining any trenching, drilling or other construction work it is your responsibility to be aware of all such utility lines buried in the area of your project and to avoid them. ALWAYS have all local utility companies mark the location of their lines. Check with local authorities for laws, regulations and/or strict penalties requiring you to locate and avoid existing utilities. ## S. RESTRICTED WORK AREAS In work sites with limited height and swing / traveling areas such as tunnels, bridges, around electrical power lines, other utilities, or inside structures. Use extreme caution on work sites with limited height and swing/traveling areas such as tunnels, bridges, around electrical power lines, other utilities or inside structure. Keep the machine and its attachment a safe distance to prevent injury, death or damage on equipment or structure. Use a flagman to guide the operators. ## T. DO NOT WORK UNDER PRECIPICE / OVERHANG Do not dig under the precipice. It may cause falling rocks or loosening of the precipice resulting in injury, death or machine damage. <!-- image --> <!-- image --> <!-- image --> １
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