Excavation Equipment Safety

Types of Excavation Equipment

Excavators

• Tracked or wheeled machine with rotating cab
• Articulating boom and bucket
• Operator sits in enclosed cab
• Various bucket and attachment options
• Used for digging, lifting, and material handling

Backhoe Loaders

• Combination of front loader and backhoe
• Typically wheeled with stabilizers
• Versatile for digging and loading
• More mobile than excavators
• Common on smaller construction sites

Trenchers

• Specialized for creating narrow trenches
• Chain, wheel, or micro-trencher types
• Used for utility installation
• Can cut through varying soil types and some rock
• Operator typically walks behind or rides on machine

Skid Steer Loaders

• Compact with lift arms for attachments
• Highly maneuverable in tight spaces
• Can use various digging attachments
• Turns by skidding wheels or tracks
• Operator enters through front of machine

Bulldozers

• Tracked vehicles with front blade
• Used for pushing soil and materials
• Can rough grade excavation areas
• Limited digging capabilities
• Powerful for clearing and leveling

Common Hazards Around Excavation Equipment

Struck-By Hazards

• Swinging booms and buckets
• Rotating superstructure
• Moving equipment (forward/reverse)
• Falling materials from buckets
• Rolling or sliding materials
• Equipment rollovers or tip-overs

Caught-In/Between Hazards

• Pinch points in articulating parts
• Between equipment and fixed objects
• In rotating or moving components
• During attachment changes
• Between equipment and trench walls

Overhead and Underground Hazards

• Power line contacts
• Underground utility strikes
• Overhead obstructions
• Bridge clearances during transport
• Tree limbs and other obstacles

Stability Hazards

• Working on slopes or uneven ground
• Operating near trench edges
• Carrying loads that affect balance
• Soft or unstable ground conditions
• Overloading equipment capacity

Safe Work Practices

For Operators

Before Operation

• Conduct thorough pre-use inspection
• Check operating area for hazards
• Verify all controls are functioning
• Ensure visibility aids are working (mirrors, cameras)
• Plan the work and identify hazard areas
• Understand the equipment's limitations

During Operation

• Always wear seatbelt
• Maintain awareness of surroundings
• Use spotters when visibility is limited
• Keep loads low when traveling
• Never exceed rated capacities
• Follow manufacturer's operating procedures
• Avoid sudden movements
• Keep proper distance from trench edges (minimum 2 feet per foot of depth)

When Shutting Down

• Park on level ground
• Lower all attachments to the ground
• Set parking brake
• Turn off engine and remove key
• Block tracks/wheels on slopes
• Secure against unauthorized use

For Ground Workers

Safe Positioning

• Stay out of swing radius of equipment
• Never position between equipment and fixed objects
• Stay visible to operators at all times
• Maintain safe distance from operating equipment
• Never walk under raised loads or buckets
• Enter operator's line of sight only after acknowledgment

Communication

• Make eye contact with operator before approaching
• Use standard hand signals
• Wear high-visibility clothing
• Use radios when necessary
• Never assume operator sees you
• Understand equipment blind spots

When Working in Excavations

• Never work under suspended loads
• Stay away from edges when equipment is operating above
• Be aware of falling material from buckets
• Watch for signs of trench wall movement from equipment vibration
• Exit excavation when equipment is entering or working nearby

Equipment-Specific Safety

Excavator Safety

• Keep at least 20 feet from power lines
• Never allow passengers on the machine
• Avoid slewing (swinging) over workers
• Use outriggers/stabilizers on uneven ground
• Be aware of counterweight swing clearance
• Ensure tracks are perpendicular to trench when digging

Backhoe Safety

• Properly deploy stabilizers before digging
• Never use bucket for lifting people
• Lock swing when working in confined areas
• Be cautious when using loader bucket and backhoe simultaneously
• Watch for boom clearance when rotating
• Avoid operating controls from outside the cab

Trencher Safety

• Clear work area before starting
• Keep all guards in place
• Don't unclog while components are moving
• Maintain proper footing on controls
• Be aware of machine movement when starting the chain/wheel
• Ensure spoil pile is placed properly away from trench edge

Skid Steer Safety

• Enter/exit only when bucket is lowered
• Keep load low during travel
• Never modify the safety devices
• Never use bucket as personnel lift
• Use seat bar/restraint
• Don't exceed rated operating capacity

Special Excavation Considerations

Working on Slopes

• Operate up and down slopes, not across when possible
• Keep loads low and close to machine
• Avoid turning on slopes
• Use spotters for guidance
• Be aware of rollover potential
• Know the equipment's slope limitations

Working Near Trenches

• Keep equipment away from trench edges
• Use wheel chocks when parked near excavations
• Never operate directly on top of underground utilities
• Be aware how equipment weight affects soil stability
• Use spotters to guide placement of excavated material

Utility Protection

• Call 811/One Call before digging
• Maintain minimum distance from marked utilities
• Hand dig near known utilities
• Verify utility depths before mechanical digging
• Stop work immediately if utility is contacted
• Know emergency procedures for utility strikes

Equipment Inspections

Daily Inspection Points

• Fluid levels and leaks
• Tracks or tires condition
• Safety features and guards
• Control function
• Warning devices (lights, backup alarms)
• Attachment connections
• Structural components

Documentation

• Complete required inspection forms
• Report deficiencies immediately
• Follow lockout/tagout for defective equipment
• Keep maintenance records
• Verify repairs before returning to service

Operator Qualifications

Training Requirements

• Machine-specific training
• Understanding load capacities
• Knowledge of hand signals
• Hazard recognition
• Inspection procedures
• Emergency response

Verification and Authorization

• Operator certification or qualification
• Site-specific orientation
• Demonstration of skills
• Supervisor authorization
• Refresher training as needed
• Documentation of qualification

Emergency Response

Equipment Overturn

• Remain in cab with seatbelt fastened if safe
• Shut off engine if possible
• Do not jump from overturning machine
• Brace yourself and hold on firmly
• Wait until motion stops before exiting

Power Line Contact

• Operator should stay in cab if possible
• All ground personnel must stay clear
• Call emergency services immediately
• If operator must exit (fire), jump clear without touching machine and ground simultaneously
• Move away by shuffling or hopping with feet together

Utility Strike Response

• Stop work immediately
• Secure the area
• Call utility company and emergency services if needed
• Report to supervisor
• Do not attempt to repair damage
• Follow company's emergency response plan