Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Excavator Lifting Attachments Things To Follow For Safety

By Patricia Reed


Excavators are large machines used to remove soil from the ground specially on constructions sites of buildings and other structures. These are sometimes called power shovels by mistake because their functions are achieved using hydraulic technology which is an improvement from steam shovels. But this is not their only functions though.

The attached bucket can be changed into other ones depending on the task you need them to do such as grapple, breaker or auger. Excavator lifting attachments are available also to carry large and heavy objects. This would help you in saving time and money though it is important to always remember these safety tips when at the job.

Ensure your machine has the capability in handling that particular load and material so it would not tip over when used. Overloading the excavator may result in injuries and damages to the workers, load and the site which consumes money and time as well. It must have the capability in handling the item then reaching the target while maintaining control and stability.

Have your operators properly trained in reading lift charts of the machines they operate because these can be confusing. The capacity usually changes depending on various factors such as swing radii, lift heights and boom angle. The position of your equipment when it is carrying the object affects its capacity so this chart must be placed where the operator can see it immediately.

Before using it, any damages, nearby obstacles and hazards must be inspected including the ones overhead which noticing it could be harder. Be certain about the stability of work surface and the position from the nearby excavation edge is far. Perform test lifts when in doubt the stability of work surface below it have.

Clear off the workers away from the area and make sure nobody is near the swing radius during the lifting of a material to protect them against falling objects. A spotter is allowed though as long as he stays clear but near enough to give important information to operator. Keep the load close when swinging and extend when only placing on desired location for more stability.

Make sure the chosen rigging is capable of lifting the weight attached to it and is compatible with the materials being lifted. Nylon web slings are not advisable for picking up sharp objects which may damage it. And chains are not advisable for picking up bundles of rebar as it does not provide the needed slip resistance compared to double basket hitch.

Make sure to properly secure the load by using the correct equipment like the latching hooks in ensuring the safety. Ways of securing it varies depending on the amount of lift points available and everyone of them have to be connected and locked. This prevents spinning, wobbling and tipping or shifting and coming apart.

Take precautions to minimize risks of shifts suddenly happening during load movement. These are a few things that helps make your workplace safer. Avoid accidents to happen by remembering these things.




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