P.C.

HARRINGTON CONTRACTORS LIMITED

360° Excavators Procedure

PCH-H&S-049-02

Controlled Copy No 1 of 1
Issue No 5
Issued By: Sign:

Elaine Dixon

On behalf of P.C. Harrington

Contractors Limited Date: January 2011
Reviewed & Authorised By: Sign:

David Faulds
Date: January 2011
SHE Director

Revision Status
Issue Issue Date Author Comment
2 Feb 08 DF/EJ Annual review. Reference & link to Mobile Phone Policy added.
3 Feb 09 DF Addition of mobile phone policy
4 Mar 10 DF Change of issuer and signature
5 Jan 11 DF Addition of Para 3.10, Change of issuer and signature, Annual
Review
 P.C. HARRINGTON CONTRACTORS LIMITED

Contents

1.0 Introduction & Commitment 3

2.0 References 3
3.0 Requirements 3

Issue date Jan 2011

PC Harrington Operating Procedure Issue 5
Ref: PCH-H&S-049-02 Page no 2 of 4
Controlled copy 1
 P.C. HARRINGTON CONTRACTORS LIMITED

1.0 INTRODUCTION & COMMITMENT

P.C. Harrington are committed to ensuring adequate provision of information, training, supervision
and facilities for their employees and subcontractors, where applicable, to ensure the safe and correct
use of 360° Excavators.

2.0 REFERENCES

The Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
PCH Mobile Phone Policy

3.0 REQUIREMENTS

3.1 This machinery will be operated, used and maintained in accordance with The Provision and
Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requirements at all times.

3.2 Only to be operated by trained, experienced CITB/CPCS personnel, over the age of 18, who
will be required to prove their competence.

3.3 Generally there are two types of 360-degree hydraulic excavators, one being mounted on
tracks, the other mounted on wheels. Rope operated excavators are generally mounted on
tracks.

3.4 It must always be ensured that, when the machine is being operated in confined places or
near other site personnel, there is clearance of at least 600mm for “tail swing” and the danger
area must be barricaded if necessary. If it is necessary for anyone to go into the machine’s
working radius whilst it is working, then the machine operator must be made aware by signals,
or other means, such as radio, before doing so.

3.5 No excavator bucket or load should be slewed directly over personnel or vehicle cabins:
vehicles should be loaded over the side or rear and the material should not be dropped from
an unnecessary height.

3.6 The manufacturer’s recommended bucket size must not be exceeded. The majority of these
machines are fitted with lifting eyes to enable them to be used as cranes. Therefore the
machine must have a safety valve fitted to the hydraulic system and be marked with the SWL
on the boom. The quick release type bucket must be removed when used for lifting
operations.

3.7 An excavator of this type must never be permitted to travel in a confined area or around
people, without a Banksman to guide the driver, who should have the excavator attachment
close in to the machine, with the bucket just clear of the ground and moving slowly.

3.8 On wheeled excavators it is essential that the tyres are in good condition and correctly inflated.
If stabilising devices are fitted, they should be employed at all times when the machine is
excavating.

3.9 It must be left immobilised and in a safe situation when the operator is not present.

Issue date Jan 2011

PC Harrington Operating Procedure Issue 5
Ref: PCH-H&S-049-02 Page no 3 of 4
Controlled copy 1
 P.C. HARRINGTON CONTRACTORS LIMITED

3.10 Particular attention must be paid to quick hitch machines when changing buckets, the operator
must ensure that all locking devices are in place prior to moving with buckets, changing of
buckets must not be done over any persons heads whilst in any excavation, if possible a
changing area should be instigated where area permitted.

Issue date Jan 2011

PC Harrington Operating Procedure Issue 5
Ref: PCH-H&S-049-02 Page no 4 of 4
Controlled copy 1