How should quick couplers be handled?
When working with quick couplers, several tasks must be carried out to ensure that the work to be performed is done safely and efficiently at different phases of the development of the works.
In this sense, an outline of the tasks to be carried out in those different phases when working with quick couplers, as well as the most important aspects to be taken into account for its development, would be as follows:
PLANNING
All operations on-site must be planned prior to the beginning of the works in order to ensure that they are carried out safely and efficiently, taking into account the following points:
- Identification of the work to be undertaken
- Identification of the hazards associated with the work at issue
- Risk assessment
- Establishing control measures to control the risks
- Developing a plan establishing the method to be used to carry out the task, which should include the following information:
- Equipment description
- Sequence of operations
- Requirements for exclusion zones and any sequencing of other activities to maintain safe areas
- Training required for the personnel involved
- Arrangements for ensuring that equipment provided is maintained and fit for purpose
- Arrangements for ensuring that equipment is examined and tested at appropriate intervals
- Arrangements for adequate supervision of operations.
PRE-WORK TASKS
- Communication of the plan to all the persons involved
- Quick coupler pre-use checks: the points included in the following table must be checked immediately before starting any job involving the use of a quick coupler:
FITTING THE ATTACHMENTS
When fitting any attachment to a quick coupler the following aspects should be taken into account:
- It must be ensured that the size of the attachment does not exceed the limits specified by the excavator/coupler manufacturer.
- The operator should be familiar with the attachment process for the specific make and model of the quick coupler.
- The attachment fitting/removal must be done in an area designated for that purpose, to which other personnel, not engaged in this task, do not have access.
- Before lifting the quick coupler and attachment the operator must ensure that any locking device is in place and secure.
- After the working tool has been attached, locked, and physically checked, the quick coupler should be crowded out and shaken to ensure that the assembly y working securely.
REMOVAL AND RE-INSTALLATION OF A QUICK COUPLER ON AN EXCAVATOR
The removal and re-installation of a quick coupler on an excavator can generally be done as long as it is authorised by the manufacture and the quick coupler and the excavator where it is going to be re-installed are compatible.
However, the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific quick coupler and excavator must be obtained and followed whenever a quick coupler is being removed or re-installed.
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