Gradall Excavator

1. Gradall Excavator

3. Accident Causation The majority of accidents and fatalities involving Gradall excavators are due to other workers (uninvolved with operating the excavator) performing construction activities dangerously close to the excavator while in use. The operator, unaware of the other worker’s location due to negligence or poor signaling, may strike, run over, or swing the boom and injure or kill other workers.

4. Accident Causation Accidents frequently occur when the bucket or other attachment is not securely attached to the boom, and the bucket falls loose from an elevated height and strikes a worker. Large objects such as trees or erected walls can fall onto the excavator, crushing the cab and the operator inside. Excavators can roll when weight is not distributed equally or when the activity takes place on unstable or sloped ground, which endangers the operator and other workers near the roll. Accidents also occur when the counterweight of the excavator swings and strikes a worker.

5. Case Study Introduction Information taken from OSHA fatality records 5 cases investigated by OSHA from 1990-2007 Other cases found through online articles & cases Several cases have been extrapolated from hydraulic excavators due to limited reporting of Gradall excavator injuries & fatalities.

6. Case Study 1: Victim Run Over Details On August 3, 2006 an employee was operating the Gradall excavator with a front loader bucket attachment. He was picking up a drain rock from a rock pile and dumping it into a paving area about 150 feet away. During this operation, he turned the Gradall towards the left to swing the front bucket to face the rock pile, when he saw another employee laying on the ground between the left front and rear tires, almost underneath the Gradall. Apparently the operator had hit and run over another employee with the Gradall. Emergency fire, paramedics and the sheriff's department responded to the accident scene. The victim was responsive, and underwent surgery at the hospital, but later was pronounced dead. Accident Type: Operator ran over employee Accident Outcome: Fatality Accident Avoidance: Operators awareness of other workers, proper signaling, victims awareness to stay clear of excavator in operation

7. Case Study 2: Killed by Counterweight Details On April 1, 1996, Mr. Parks and two co-workers, at the direction of their supervisor, endeavored to break some blocks of carbon with a Gradall G-600 excavating machine. From outside the machine, Mr. Parks directed his co-workers, who occupied the two cabs and controlled the truck. As the operator pulled the machine into the shed for storage, Mr. Parks directed him. Mr. Parks told the operator to swing the boom to the left. The instruction sent the excavating arm's counterweight on a collision course with Mr. Parks. Mr. Parks was pressed between the counterweight and the wall, causing his death. Accident Type: Employee struck by counterweight Accident Outcome: Fatality Accident Avoidance: Operators awareness of other workers, proper signaling, victims awareness to stay clear of excavator in operation, knowledge of counterweight operation

8. Case Study 3: Crushed Cab Details The victim was a member of a crew that was performing site clearing operations which included the felling and removal of pine trees. The operator was attempting to fell a pine tree that was approximately 29 feet in height with a trunk diameter of approximately 17 inches. He had used the bucket to dig around and under the base of the tree. The tap root of the tree snapped, and the tree fell onto the cab of the excavator. The weight of the tree crushed the cab and the deceased who was inside the cab. The operator died immediately due to respiratory failure and asphyxia due to spinal cord compression and fractures, and blunt head and neck impact. Accident Type: Tree fell and crushed cab Accident Outcome: Fatality Accident Avoidance: Operators awareness of hazards on site, and possible falling hazards

9. Operational Training Gradall excavators shall only be operated by certified trained individuals Certified operators are the contractor’s insurance for safety Training preserves warranty and is a defense against litigation Operational Training is essential to safe & successful use Gradall offers a SAF-T Training course for its products Cost: $250/person, minimum $2,500,000 Location: Customer’s construction site Duration: 8 hours; 4 in class, 4 on site

10. Personal Protective Equipment Although the operator is in an enclosed cab and not as vulnerable to injury on site, the operator should wear the essential PPE required on any site including: Hard hat Safety eye wear Ear protection Reflective safety vest Safe work boots Thin leather gloves The Gradall excavator is controlled by a 360 degree joystick so heavy work gloves may be disadvantageous, however thin leather gloves are recommended for safe operation to mitigate pinch injuries.

11. Operational Safety: Pre-Ignition Perform “kick the tire” inspection before each use Visual inspection, making sure of no leaking fluids, attachments are in proper position, and no internal or external obstructions or hazards exist. Check the excavator safety equipment Front guard, lights, safety signs, horn, mirrors, etc. Know the Working Area Soil conditions, location of slopes, open trenches, utilities, etc. Safe entry into cab utilizing footholds and handholds Use caution when fueling Follow the rules of the road Appoint a signaler and know the signaler’s location at all times Warn personnel before starting

12. Operational Safety: Excavator Operation Gradall Excavator shall be operated by certified trained operator only Ensure proper attachments are utilized to suit operation needs Use lift platform attachment to lift individuals, not bucket Operator must be aware of surroundings, both people and site obstructions Always look around before backing up, hooking up, or swinging an attachment Know the pinch points and rotating parts of the machine Navigate through the site slowly & cautiously with bucket or other attachments in position for maximum stability and visibility. Utilize signaling to maximize coordination other workers and equipment operating on site.

13. Operational Safety: Excavator Operation No improper use of equipment should occur All workers on site should be aware of the Gradall’s scope of work prior to ignition to reduce the chance of someone being at the wrong place at the wrong time Only the certified Gradall operator or certified technician should manipulate or service the Gradall excavator The Gradall operator should be aware of the scope of work for other heavy equipment on site and coordinate appropriately Avoid steep slopes or unstable surfaces The operator should be aware of unbraced walls, trees, or other large objects on site that could potentially fall and crush the cab

14. Safety Benefits of Gradall Excavator Gradall excavators operate without the conventional height restrictions applicable to most articulated excavators Overhead obstacles & hazards such as trees, powerlines, or overpasses The Gradalls telescoping boom never significantly exceeds the height of the operating cab The non-excavation side of the Gradalls boom and engine location allow for greater stability. The telescopic boom and bilateral dexterity allow for enhanced versatility, lifting power, and stability.

15. Safety Benefits of Gradall Excavator The Gradall’s interchangeable boom pieces enhance the safety factor on most jobs by allowing for enhanced versatility and jobsite adaptability. This tailoring to the jobsite translates into reduced physical labor requirements The Gradall can be utilized with a track wheel base or highway wheels that allow speeds up to 55 mph to allow for enhanced site navigation. Conclusively, the Gradall’s innovative design increases the efficiency of the tasks performed which translated into numerous safety benefits through reduced labor and less accidents

16. Think SafelyWork Safely