Excavator Safety

Before you begin, confirm you have:

- Your ticket of competency

- A completed and signed Dig/Cut permit for today's works

Don't forget to:

- Complete your daily logbook inspection for this excavator
- Fence off/barricade the area so that other's are not put at risk by your operations
- Identify other hazards that may be present in this area such as overhead structures and underground services! These should be covered in your task-specific SWMS!

UG Utilities North Head

Warning - Underground High Pressure gas main in this area.

No excavation is to be undertaken without prior permit from TRUEnergy - ph: 131 602.

The 'Dial before you dig' service is to be used before excavating!

Ph: 1100 for information about underground services in your area.

United Group employees and subcontractors are reminded of the following regarding excavations:

- A dig/cut permit is required for all excavations

- Underground utility drawings are to be sought

- Cable avoidance tool is to be utilised to locate services

- Pilot holes are to be dug to identify known services

- No pneumatic tools are to be used within 500mm of live services - hand-digging techniques are to be used.

MSDS Diesel

Flammability
Flashpoint - 75°C
Unusual fire & explosion hazards - When heated above flashpoint, material will release flammable vapours which can burn or be explosive in confined spaces.
Examples of fire extinguishers that may be used: Foam, CO2, or dry chemical.

Reactivity & Storage
Avoid contact with strong oxidents such as liquid chlorine, concentrated oxygen, or sodium hypochlorite.
Incompatability - Avoid humid storage conditions; and strong oxidising agents and hazardous decomposition products such as fumes, smoke, and CO.

Handling Diesel
Diesel is volatile and gives off vapours. The liquid or vapours may settle in low areas and travel some distance along the ground or surface to ignition sources such as heat, sparks, static electricity and open flames - keep away from ignition sources.

Personal Protective Equipment: For oil mist, use respiratory protection with approved cartidges. Wear splash proof/dust resistant safety glasses, rubber gloves and protective clothing where contact with diesel may occur.

Eye wash fountains or washing facility should be near handling area; no smoking in area of storage or use.

Health Effects & First Aid
Symptoms of Exposure:
- Inhalation may cause headache and slight giddiness
- Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, coma and death

In case of emergency or first aid; contact manufacturer: 1800 000 609 (SAFF)

First Aid:
- Inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air and call emergency medical care
- Eye contact: Flush with copious amounts of water; contact physician
- Skin Contact: Remove clothing; wash with waterless cleaner, then with soap and water
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; contact a physician and report as diesel.

Release & Spillages
- Shut off ignition sources; stop leak if possible to do so safely. Water spray may reduce vapour but will not prevent ignition in closed spaces.
- Take up small spills with sand, soil, kitty litter etc.
- For large spills, dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.
- Disposal is to be undertaken by a licensed disposal company.

Fall Protection

Safety Harness must be worn in this area






Steel beam above may be used as attachment point

What are hazards

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 defines a hazard as ‘anything (including work practices or procedures) that has the potential to harm the health or safety of a person’.

Hazard identification, risk assessment, and elimination or control offer the best opportunity for reducing workplace injury or illness.

Hazards arise from:

• the work environment
• the use of machinery and substances
• poor work design
• inappropriate systems and procedures.

Hazards can be classified into five broad areas:

• physical eg. noise, radiation, light, vibration
• chemical eg. poisons, dusts
• biological eg. viruses, plants, parasites
• mechanical/electrical eg. slips, trips and falls, tools, electrical equipment
• psychological eg. fatigue, violence, bullying.

Hazard management plans can be developed after hazards have been classified, eg. a physical hazard management plan.

It is important for workers to be aware of hazards. Your occupational health and safety committee may recommend hazard specific training.

(Source: Work Cover New South Wales)