Earthmoving Safety: Working Around Heavy Equipment

Earthmoving Safety: Working Around Heavy Equipment

Earthmoving safety is critical for any excavation, mining, or construction business. Heavy earthmoving machinery presents numerous worker risks that companies must identify and control to protect their personnel. From excavators to bulldozers, these pieces of machinery can cause serious injury or even death if not handled properly. Employers and workers alike must understand their dangers so they can operate safely around this plant.

What is the Meaning of Earthmoving?

Earthmoving is a part of many construction, mining, and other operations that involve removing and relocating large quantities of soil, rock, or other materials. Various tasks in earthmoving include:

• Creating roads and driveways
• Building foundations for structures
• Digging out rocks for mining activities
• Creating trenches for pipelines
• Digging out deeper corners or slopes from the ground

In earthmoving, using heavy machinery is common practice. Fleets may include excavators, bulldozers, loaders, graders, and dump trucks. This heavy machinery moves massive quantities of materials quickly and effectively.

Earthmoving forms a significant component of a wide range of construction and development projects. Other industries, such as agriculture, land development, and road construction, also benefit from earthmoving activities.

Heavy Equipment For Earthmoving

• Excavators: used for digging, demolition, and material handling. These excavators have a boom, stick, and bucket attachment that can rotate 360 degrees to shift soil, rock, and other materials.
• Bulldozers: used for pushing, grading, and levelling soil and other materials. Bulldozers carry a large, flat blade mounted on the front that can be angled up and down to move and shape material.
• Loaders: This plant moves and loads soil, rock, and other materials into trucks or other equipment. Loaders have a large bucket attachment mounted on the front that can be raised and lowered.
• Graders: are used for grading and levelling soil and other materials. Graders have a long blade mounted on the underside that can be adjusted to create a smooth, level surface.
• Scrapers: are used for moving large quantities of soil, rock, and other materials over long distances. Scrapers have a large, open bowl or hopper that can be lowered to scoop up material and then raised to transport it to a new location.
• Backhoes: are used for digging and excavation. Backhoes have a boom, stick, and bucket attachment mounted on the back that can rotate 180 degrees to dig trenches and holes.
• Dump Trucks: These vehicles transport soil, rock, and other materials over long distances. Dump trucks carry a large, open bed that can be raised to dump material at the desired location.

Observing proper handling and safety measures when using this plant is essential. A level of expertise and necessary licences are also required for personnel handling heavy machinery.

Hazards in Working Around Heavy Equipment

Working with earthmoving machinery is dangerous when proper precautions and safety measures are not in place. Safework Australia reported 142 fatalities in Australia related to earthmoving and construction over five years from 2017-2021. The PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) must keep workers and the workplace safe.

Mechanical Hazards

Earthmoving machinery has many moving parts. Their movements may carry sufficient force in motion to injure people nearby. Machines and equipment can eject objects that may strike a person with force. Mobile plant, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and earthmoving equipment, operated in areas where people may gain access are also potential sources of risk.

Here are the common mechanical hazards:

• Struck-by accidents. This can happen when workers are hit by moving equipment or materials such as soil or rocks, which can cause serious injuries or even death. About 11.95% of accidents in Australia from 2003 to 2014 resulted from being hit by moving objects.
• Caught-between accidents. Workers can become caught, pinched, crushed, or compressed between two or more objects. Moving earthmoving equipment, or plant colliding with a fixed structure such as a wall or pile of materials, can also prove dangerous. That said, caught-in and caught-between incidents often result from negligence, improper health and safety procedures, or failure to adhere to safety regulations. This represents 7% of Australia's work-related fatalities.
• Tipping Injuries. This occurs when a piece of earthmoving equipment becomes unstable or tips over an inclined surface.

Non-mechanical Hazards

Non-mechanical hazards remain the most common sources of risks on earthmoving sites. These include slips, trips and falls, noise exposures, unguarded machinery, and material handling.

Personnel exposed to certain dangers may not notice problems for long periods. But later, they can suffer hearing loss, breathing troubles, and even cancer. Non-mechanical hazards include the following:

• Electrical Hazards. An electrical risk is a threat to a person's life, safety and well-being that can be caused directly or indirectly by an electric current. Electrical systems in the machinery can malfunction and cause electrocution. Checking wiring on all electrical equipment before use remains essential.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls. Slips and trips can result from wet floors, loose cables, cords, or ground debris. Wear appropriate footwear, use fall protection equipment, and keep all work areas clean to avoid these accidents.
• Noise Exposure. Heavy machinery can be loud and cause hearing damage if not adequately protected. Excess noise can damage the ability to hear clearly and make it more challenging to detect sounds necessary for working safely, such as instructions or warning signals.
• Respiratory Hazards. This may occur when personnel are not using proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Risks may include exposure to hazardous substances, fumes, or other airborne contaminants.
• Fatigue. Operating earthmoving equipment can be physically demanding and may lead to operator fatigue. When fatigue sets in, accident risk increases significantly.

Access Hazards

Access hazards are associated with entering, exiting, and working at heights using earthmoving equipment. Some risks include falling from equipment or being caught between the machine and an object. For example, someone entering or exiting an excavator can be seriously injured if they slip or fall from the cabin.

Crews should always use appropriate ladders or steps when entering and exiting a machine. Fall protection equipment (including harnesses) should also be used when working at heights, for example, when accessing the engine of a large excavator. See our Working at Height Safety Packages for further guidance on managing this risk.

Major Causes of Accidents in Earthmoving

Aside from the mentioned hazards, other causes of accidents exist in earthmoving projects. These include:

Lack of safe systems for earthmoving operations

Safe systems help identify, assess, and control risks associated with operating heavy earthmoving equipment. Without a secure work system, personnel may face unnecessary health and safety risks. These may include using safety documents, conducting safety inspections, performing risk assessments, and using personal protective equipment.

Negligence in the proper selection and use of equipment

Earthmoving plant must be selected and used appropriately and safely. Improper selection or use of the equipment can lead to accidents and injuries. For example, using equipment unsuitable for the job can result in injury due to malfunction or fatigue.

Inadequate training or lack of experience among operators

Operating earthmoving equipment requires significant skill and knowledge to use it safely. Every operator must be properly trained and instructed on safe equipment use. Registration or licensing may be required for certain types of machinery. Obtaining a licence from Safe Work Australia is also recommended.

Noncompliance with maintenance requirements

Maintaining and servicing heavy machinery remains critical to ensure worker safety. Unmaintained or faulty plant can malfunction and lead to accidents. Inspection checklists and maintenance logs help track equipment condition.

Failure to observe the required earthmoving safety precautions

Personnel must understand the potential hazards of operating heavy earthmoving equipment and observe required safety precautions. This includes always wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), conducting risk assessments, and using safe work method statements.

Safety Measures for Earthmoving Works

Employers and contractors bear equal responsibility for ensuring workers have access to all pertinent information, instruction, training, and supervision. The construction industry relies heavily on cooperation and coordination between employers, owners, contractors, site management personnel, mechanics, and operators. This ensures the highest safety and performance standards are met when using heavy machinery.

Here are safety control measures you can take to ensure a safe and successful earthmoving project:

1. Ensure site security

Restricting site access alone cannot protect expensive machinery from damage and theft. Implementing a robust security system with alarms, cameras, and access control measures like locks and electronic tagging is essential.

Another reason for site security involves ensuring the safety of construction workers and pedestrians before, during, and after work hours. This entails authorised inspections and management of the construction site. Cordoning off the area with barriers also helps keep workers from accidentally getting close to operating plant.

2. Prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

High-risk construction work involves excavation operations such as digging shafts, trenches, or tunnels deeper than 1.5 metres and any operation with a risk of falling over 2 metres. It also includes the potential for collision between mobile-powered plant and people or other machinery.

To perform these excavation activities safely and effectively, creating a mandatory safe work method statement is required. Our Working Around Helicopters SWMS template demonstrates how SafetyDocs structures site-specific SWMS documents for high-risk activities involving heavy plant.

Companies can achieve successful outcomes even in the most hazardous conditions with comprehensive planning and checklists.

3. Conduct on-site inspections and maintenance

Adopting a rigorous inspection and maintenance program to ensure equipment stays safe and fit for use is critical. On-site inspections should occur regularly, with any faults reported and rectified immediately. This will ensure workers use the correct machinery and that all safety features remain in full effect.

The inspection and maintenance program should include:

• regular oil changes
• fuel top-ups
• checking for leaks or faults
• ensuring all guards are in place

4. Conduct construction induction training

Earthmoving, such as excavation works, forms part of construction activities, so all workers must attend a general induction training program. Construction induction training cards, commonly called 'white cards,' are required for personnel on all construction sites across Australia.

Workers must be able to demonstrate the card upon request from the PCBU on-site and any inspectors. The 'Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry' course, also known as 'white card' training, remains essential to gain a white card.

5. Validate the competence of site personnel, mechanics, and operators

In Australia, the legal requirement for licences covering earthmoving machinery is governed by each state and territory's workplace health and safety regulator. Generally, operating certain types of earthmoving machinery requires an operator to hold a specific licence or competency certificate.

Requirements for licences or competency certificates can vary depending on equipment type, jurisdiction, and specific workplace. Individuals and organisations must therefore familiarise themselves with the relevant legislation and regulations applicable to their circumstances.

6. Utilise documents for earthmoving safety

Safety documents remain vital to managing health and safety on the worksite. These provide a roadmap for safe operations, detailing expectations for workers and employers alike. Here are some safety documents from SafetyDocs that provide comprehensive guides on different aspects of earthmoving practices:

• Earthmoving and Mobile Plant SWMS: This document covers the safe use of mobile plant, preventing falls from height and protecting workers from moving parts.
• Integrated Management System (IMS) for Earthworks: This IMS provides the framework needed to develop and maintain a safe operation tailored to the needs of companies with earthmoving projects. This manual ensures that safety standards surrounding heavy vehicle use are met.
• Plant Risk Assessment Form: This form is an essential tool to help ensure the highest level of safety when examining and operating earthmoving plant. It allows identification of potential hazards and control of them with preventative measures. Pair it with our Plant Safety Management Plan for a complete plant safety framework.
• Emergency Response Plans: Earthmoving operations can be dangerous and unpredictable, making an emergency response plan crucial. This document outlines critical steps to take in the event of a significant incident that could lead to severe injury or even death.
• Plant Attachment Maintenance Safe Operating Procedure: This document outlines the guidelines for ensuring that plant attachments are safely operated and maintained.

For teams managing excavation near confined trenches or shafts, our guide on Working in a Confined Space offers additional practical guidance, while businesses with roofing or asbestos exposure risks on construction sites may also benefit from our Asbestos Safety - Working in Roofs SWMS.

Stay Safe While Working with Heavy Equipment Using SafetyDocs

To ensure your earthmoving operations remain safe and compliant with safety legislation, SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture offers documents to help protect personnel and the work site. Our customisable templates simplify safety practices and help personnel work confidently and safely.

Our content-rich solutions are easy to use and 2023-compliant. Find the right safety, environmental, or quality documents for your workplace. Use SafetyDocs to transform work processes, saving time and lives. Contact us to learn more.

Available for instant download and supplied in fully editable MS Word format for use in your business.

Please note that the above information is provided as a comment only and should not be relied on as professional, legal or financial advice.