Mini excavators are a necessary part of construction, landscaping and precise digging tasks, allowing crews to navigate small work areas and complete a variety of jobs. While small, these machines offer plenty of power, efficiency and versatility, so safety is a top priority when operating them. By following machinery safety protocols, you can reduce the risk of accidents and promote a safer work environment for yourself and your team.
Safe operation begins before even stepping into your excavator — proper knowledge and attention to detail make all the difference. Follow these excavator safety tips prior to starting projects:
For new operators and those unfamiliar with the equipment, proper excavator training is necessary. Training allows you to learn how to use the machinery properly and avoid accidents when operating it. Aside from ensuring safety and proper operation, training helps you comply with relevant OSHA standards.
Training should cover the basics of operation, machinery safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Even if you have experience with mini excavators, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with your specific machine before using it. Note that no two machines are exactly the same — depending on your make and model, your excavator might have a different control layout and other attributes that set it apart from excavators you’ve operated in the past.
Read the manual to ensure you’re aware of all the important features. Determine where the pedals, levers and buttons are located. If you’ve fitted your excavator with specific attachments, double-check that they are properly secured and working as expected.
Before starting up the excavator, ensure the environment you’re driving the machine in is clear of all hazards, debris and obstacles. While mini excavators can demolish certain obstacles, it’s best to avoid hazards like hanging wires, poles and other items that could lead to accidents when operating the machine.
Mark your job site boundaries to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering. Keep a safe distance from other equipment and personnel to promote a safer work area for all.
Maintaining maximum visibility is essential for operating your machinery safely. Mirrors must be aligned so you can see everything around you, including people and obstacles. Clean the windows and windscreen to keep your vision unobscured, and follow a mirror and window pre-check before operating your excavator every time you use it. This process helps with excavator accident prevention by ensuring you can see your surroundings clearly during use.
All operators must wear the necessary PPE when using a mini excavator, such as:
Wearing these items provides vital protection from hazards while minimizing accidents and injuries if an accident were to occur.
Keep these essential mini excavator safety tips in mind to avoid accidents and injuries on your job sites:
Position the machine’s blade extensions correctly based on the mini excavator’s weight. The blades attach to the undercarriage and are used for grading and providing stability during digging. While lighter models tend to have the blades in the back, heavier ones will position blade extensions in the front.
Keep the bucket close to the ground when operating your mini excavator. This placement ensures stability when transporting loads, making it easier to carry and contain debris. It also prevents debris from falling from the bucket and onto the cab. Avoid swinging the bucket when carrying heavy loads or striking the bucket on the ground to remove leftover debris in the bucket.
When operating the mini excavator, exercise caution and drive at a safe speed. Remember the basics — drive slow on rough terrain, in busy work areas and when carrying heavier loads. Use an escort vehicle when driving across roads to lead the way and prevent accidents.
Depending on your worksite, you might have a lot of hills and uneven terrain. When maneuvering your mini excavator, navigate these slopes with caution. Gear down when driving down hills, and make small steer adjustments when changing directions. It’s best to avoid driving an excavator at a slope greater than 70% because of engine lubrication requirements.
Many mini excavators are equipped with backup and side-view cameras for better safety. Use your cameras while driving to see what is beside or behind you. These cameras are especially helpful when working on busy worksites with many hazards, obstacles and people, as they help you to navigate work areas safely.
Safety protocols continue even after operating your mini excavator. Follow these tips to ensure a smooth shutdown process and enhance safety on your worksites:
Before turning off the excavator, ensure the bucket is resting on the ground. A lifted bucket could fall and strike nearby personnel, causing injuries. It’s also important to park the machine on a level surface to prevent rolling. Lock the safety switch to keep the machine from shifting from its stationary position.
When shutting down the excavator, run it at half throttle for a few minutes. This step gives the engine time to cool down, preventing it from backfiring and enhancing construction equipment safety.
Always exit the excavator safely. The proper way to dismount is to use the grab handles and skid-resistant surfaces to keep your feet from sliding when getting out of the machine. Never jump off of a mini excavator. Also, lock the doors and remove keys from the machine to prevent theft.
There are several heavy equipment safety protocols to follow before, during and after mini excavator operation. It’s critical to ensure that you and your operators receive safety training, operate at safe speeds and follow specific shutdown procedures to prevent accidents and injuries on the worksite.
When you need high-quality, safe and durable compact excavators, partner with Groff Tractor. We have an extensive selection of new and used heavy machinery to help you get your tasks done right. Our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing the best level of service in the industry, including equipment operation, diagnostics, maintenance and repair.
We emphasize safety regulations and procedures at each step of employee training, ensuring you get the best level of care for your equipment needs. Browse our mini excavators or contact us today to learn more about our services.
"*" indicates required fields