SAFETY ALERT (ALT-010)Site Dumper Stability

PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

OPERC: The Home of True Plant and Equipment Professionals www.operc.com

BACKGROUNDOver recent years several incidents have occurred where forward tipping site dumpers (typically under 10 tonnes) have overturned whilst being operated. In the incident pictured here the operator failed to negotiate a mini roundabout - he escaped with minor injury but many others have not been so fortunate. Certain contributory factors to incidents involving overturn have been identified, for example:

operating at excessive speed;

overloading the machine, creating inherent instability;

operating on an incline or on uneven / unstable ground conditions; and

operating too near to the edge of open excavations or trenches causing their collapse.

SAFE OPERATOR

Site dumpers should only be driven by fully trained, competent operators who have been authorised to do so and any operation should be accompanied by a suitable risk assessment. The nationally recognised qualification for competence within Britain is a Scottish/National Vocational Qualification (S/NVQ) Level II Plant Operations.

To drive the site dumper (classed as an ‘exempted goods vehicle’) on the public highway, the operator must hold a full category B driving licence. The minimum operator age is determined by the weight – age 18 for machines with a maximum authorised mass between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes, and age 21 for those over 7.5 tonnes.

Operators should wear appropriate protective equipment, such as safety boots, high-visiblity jacket, ear defenders, etc.

The site dumper should be fitted with roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and a restraint mechanism, such as a seat belt, which should be used during machine operation to keep the driver within the ROPS protected area in case of overturn.

SAFE SITE DUMPER

Regular maintenance will ensure that the site dumper is working safely and efficiently and a machine inspection (e.g. of the tyres, brakes, ROPS, etc) should be conducted by the operator at the start of a shift, with an appropriate record of this kept. Any maintenance or inspection undertaken should follow the guidance given by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

The site dumper should be suitable for the task to be undertaken, particularly with regards to its load capacity (for instance,

overloading a machine beyond its specified load capacity can affect both stability and operator front end visibility) and stability (for example, if working on steep inclines or uneven ground, the use of a larger, more stable machine type may be more appropriate).

The site dumper should be operated within its capabilities with regards to handling and braking. This will include: regulating the speed to suit the ground conditions and load being carried; maintaining safe braking distances and never braking suddenly in wet, icy or muddy conditions; never exceeding the maximum stated gradients specified by the OEM; and avoiding turning across gradients.

When being loaded the site dumper should be on level ground with the parking brake on. The operator should dismount and stand clear, whilst ensuring that the skip is not overloaded and that the load is evenly distributed.

When tipping, the site dumper should be stationary, in neutral gear

Further guidance can be found in the HSE publication ‘Workplace transport safety, an employers’ guide’ (HSG 136) and the DVLA publication ‘Special licensing arrangements for drivers of large vehicles’ (INF52).

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and with the parking brake on. If tipping into an excavation, suitable stop blocks must be used to prevent the machine from falling.

SAFE WORK SITE

Before operating the site dumper, the ground conditions should be checked to ensure that they are suitable for any load imposed upon them by the machine, its operator and the load.

Vehicle routes should avoid significant obstacles, uneven ground and inclines, particularly if across the direction of travel. Where the route is near to a drop, such as an excavation or embankment, extra support or barriers should be provided for the edge of the route.

Pedestrians must be segregated from the ‘operational area’ of the dumper and its transport routes; these routes should have good clear signage and appropriate traffic control measures.

Images for illustrative purposes only

OPERC: The Home of True Plant and Equipment Professionals www.operc.com

Images for illustrative purposes only

SAFETY ALERT (ALT-010)Site Dumper Stability

PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

BACKGROUNDOver recent years several incidents have occurred where forward tipping site dumpers (typically under 10 tonnes) have overturned whilst being operated. In the incident pictured here the operator failed to negotiate a mini roundabout - he escaped with minor injury but many others have not been so fortunate. Certain contributory factors to incidents involving overturn have been identified, for example:

operating at excessive speed;

overloading the machine, creating inherent instability;

operating on an incline or on uneven / unstable ground conditions; and

operating too near to the edge of open excavations or trenches causing their collapse.

SAFE OPERATOR

Site dumpers should only be driven by fully trained, competent operators who have been authorised to do so and any operation should be accompanied by a suitable risk assessment. The nationally recognised qualification for competence within Britain is a Scottish/National Vocational Qualification (S/NVQ) Level II Plant Operations.

To drive the site dumper (classed as an ‘exempted goods vehicle’) on the public highway, the operator must hold a full category B driving licence. The minimum operator age is determined by the weight – age 18 for machines with a maximum authorised mass between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes, and age 21 for those over 7.5 tonnes.

Operators should wear appropriate protective equipment, such as safety boots, high-visiblity jacket, ear defenders, etc.

The site dumper should be fitted with roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and a restraint mechanism, such as a seat belt, which should be used during machine operation to keep the driver within the ROPS protected area in case of overturn.

SAFE SITE DUMPER

Regular maintenance will ensure that the site dumper is working safely and efficiently and a machine inspection (e.g. of the tyres, brakes, ROPS, etc) should be conducted by the operator at the start of a shift, with an appropriate record of this kept. Any maintenance or inspection undertaken should follow the guidance given by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

The site dumper should be suitable for the task to be undertaken, particularly with regards to its load capacity (for instance,

overloading a machine beyond its specified load capacity can affect both stability and operator front end visibility) and stability (for example, if working on steep inclines or uneven ground, the use of a larger, more stable machine type may be more appropriate).

The site dumper should be operated within its capabilities with regards to handling and braking. This will include: regulating the speed to suit the ground conditions and load being carried; maintaining safe braking distances and never braking suddenly in wet, icy or muddy conditions; never exceeding the maximum stated gradients specified by the OEM; and avoiding turning across gradients.

When being loaded the site dumper should be on level ground with the parking brake on. The operator should dismount and stand clear, whilst ensuring that the skip is not overloaded and that the load is evenly distributed.

When tipping, the site dumper should be stationary, in neutral gear

Further guidance can be found in the HSE publication ‘Workplace transport safety, an employers’ guide’ (HSG 136) and the DVLA publication ‘Special licensing arrangements for drivers of large vehicles’ (INF52).

© O

n-track Multim

edia

and with the parking brake on. If tipping into an excavation, suitable stop blocks must be used to prevent the machine from falling.

SAFE WORK SITE

Before operating the site dumper, the ground conditions should be checked to ensure that they are suitable for any load imposed upon them by the machine, its operator and the load.

Vehicle routes should avoid significant obstacles, uneven ground and inclines, particularly if across the direction of travel. Where the route is near to a drop, such as an excavation or embankment, extra support or barriers should be provided for the edge of the route.

Pedestrians must be segregated from the ‘operational area’ of the dumper and its transport routes; these routes should have good clear signage and appropriate traffic control measures.

Images for illustrative purposes only