A quick hitch is a latching device on an excavator, that enables attachments to be connected to the arm of the plant and can be changed quickly. These pins are fitted in manufacturing of the equipment, and should not be substituted with large bolts, wire or other substitutes should the pin become broken.
Fatalities in the UK during 2006 alone amounted to four which involved semi-automatic quick-hitches. There are also Fully automatic quick-hitches, but failures in connecting the pins to the breaker have happened.
On one such incident, there were two possible causes of an accident, which could have been either operator failing to correctly engage the pins, before slewing the arm to carry out a dig, or ground material, mud, stones etc., preventing the hitch from engaging correctly.
The construction industry is fast moving, carries out work in all weathers, uses extensive work equipment, diggers, excavators. Most operators of excavators, in fact all machinery have received adequate training to ensure their and others safety on working sites. Unfortunately, I believe there has not been enough training and underpinning knowledge regarding the use of work equipment, and to the extreme dangers of modifying parts of machinery if it gets damaged or broken. Also operators become blase regarding the use of machines, and some cut corners in order to get jobs done and may be working in extreme weather conditions, where not enough care is being taken.
From owners of sites, construction companies right down to the operators, comprehensive risk assessments should be taken on all machinery, and work to be carried out. Systems should be put in place and work or damage of parts should be recorded, and possibly the machinery even put out of commission until it is re-fitted with the correct manufacturer`s product for that equipment.
If equipment or machinery is to be put out of commission whilst waiting for repair, please do not forget to remove the key, to stop someone unsupervised or someone who does not know there is a problem from operating the machine. This is a large fault in the construction industry, and that is leaving keys in the ignition. I have spoken to many labourers on sites who have stated "Well the machine was in the yard or on the site, and I really wanted to have a go, so just got in it and had drive around and used the levers". When I hear the stories from labourers, who have had no formal training my blood goes cold.
Last year, we had occasion to train an operator, who when interviewed stated that he had "driven many machines in and around yards, where the keys had been left in the ignition - and he also said he had a flair for driving the machines". We put him on a 10 day training course on an excavator, and he had sole use of a machine for 70 hours. He learned about the components of the excavator, stability, preventing accidents, routine maintenance and various other things. Throughout the training he had to be re-shown how to undertake basic things every day. He could not grasp the meaning of safety, nor safe machine operation in regard to himself and others around him. Needless to say, he failed to gain the necessary competence to work on an excavator and he was not a happy man. I just wonder now after 12 months if he is still getting on machines with keys left in them - and also how many others are doing the same.
So measures should be put in place, and in general these are guidelines as to what should be done and planned:
Machinery operators should be adequately trained on the use of quick hitches. to the point of competence
The manufacturer specified retaining pin only must be available on the machines - no modifications allowed
A recording system - daily record sheet for the machine, so that checks can be made that the pin is in place on the hitch before starting the work, and also record every time a different attachment is fitted. This should appear on the record sheet that the operator uses when checking hydraulic oil, brakes, gears, tracks or wheels etc.
Operators should not use the machine unless they are satisfied that the quick hitch is secured in place - and this should not be questioned by "someone in the office telling the operator to get on with the job".
Ensure that if weather conditions are bad, and the pin is not visible from the cab, that the operator must physically check from the ground.
Once pins are fitted to the manufacturers guidelines, it should be tested to ensure that the coupler is properly connected. As another precaution, once the pin is fitted correctly, the machine should be placed in a safe position, engine switched off, and the attachment checked manually.
Supervisors, owners should undertake random checks to ensure the precautions laid down by the industry are being carried out.
Legal requirements
The main relevant requirements are:
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 - ensuring safety at work.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regs 3 and 5) - risk assessments and precautions.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (Regs 5, 6, 8 and 9) - machine safety maintenance, training and instruction.
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (Regs 4 and 13) - planning and managing work.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 - Quick hitches used with excavators are subject to a thorough examination regime under Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. This should be undertaken by a competent person. If the hitch is permanently on the machine then the thorough examination of the hitch will be every 12 months or at an interval determined by the competent person. If the hitch is not permanently attached then it is classed as a lifting accessory and is subject to six monthly checks.
A HSE Sector Information Minute (SIM 02/2007/01) on the use of quick hitches on excavators has been prepared in June 2007 for HSE Inspectors and carries more detailed information, including recommended enforcement action under the above legal requirements.
0 comments:
Post a Comment