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Jobsite Awareness Tips for Excavator Safety

Mar. 6 2020 Safety By Best Line Equipment

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Excavators make big jobs manageable, but a lot of responsibility comes with using them on the jobsite. 

Caution should be used at all times when operating heavy equipment, and by following these eight awareness tips, you can ensure your project gets completed in a safe, timely manner. 


8 Awareness Tips for Excavator Safety:

  1. Call before you dig. Gas, electric, and other utility lines could be buried in the ground of your jobsite. A call to 811 connects you to a local one-call center that notifies the appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. This service is free of charge. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint, or both. 
  2. Know where other workers are. Make sure you know where other people are, and if you have others working in ditches, make sure to practice ditch safety measures. 
  3. Be aware of traffic and other equipment. If you are operating near a road with traffic or around other machinery, make sure the area is clear before moving. 
  4. Overhead power lines. When working beneath power lines, be sure you don't move the machine to where it may come in contact with the power lines. 
  5. Avoid severe grades. Operating on severe grades can lead to tipping of the machine. 
  6. Be aware of slippery or icy conditions. Excavators on steel tracks can slide easily, so be sure to take ground conditions into consideration before you begin working.
  7. Make sure you have the right attachment for your machine. Using an attachment that is too heavy or is not rated for your excavator can cause your excavator to tip over.
  8. Make sure your quick coupler is functioning properly. In rare cases, a bucket could fall off if the quick coupler is not functioning properly, causing injury or damages. 

By being aware of your surroundings on the jobsite, you can help create a safe work environment. Be sure your entire team is following the same guidelines and that safety is a priority for every project. 

To learn more about industry safety tips, view our other safety blogs. To view our excavator showroom, view our inventory here.