What good operative procedures should be followed?
Following the project and always keeping in mind the risk assessment elaborated specifically for the project is essential in order to minimise the risks during the job performance and carry out the operation safely. It is possible, however, to apply some general guidelines in almost all cases. Those good operative procedures are the following:
1. Exclusion zone
The exclusion zone should be kept at all times as a safe working area for operating the high reach machine. Personnel and the general public should be excluded from the area except for essential personnel.
2. Use of support personnel
A banksman can be used for demolition activities with high arms in reduced or limited visibility conditions, even with additional CCTV systems. This banksman is a highly qualified person with training and competence who is positioned in strategic points with better visibility than the operator. During demolition operations, he provides information and orders.
When work is in progress, the banksman should never be allowed inside the drop zone. To ensure the safe operation of the machine and site, two-way radio communications may be required between the banksman, machine operator, and site supervisor. However, in some cases, such as lifting operations, sign language can be used for communication.
3. Replacement of attachments and maintenance operations on site
Safety must be ensured during the execution of maintenance operations and attachment replacement activities. In this sense, it is not advisable to carry out these operations while the excavator is in the demolition area. Instead, a flat area of approximately 20m x 6m of space – which equals 120 square meters – must be allocated in the jobsite for the performance of these operations, which can also be used to park the machine after the shift is done.
Maintenance operations and attachment replacement activities must be carried out by qualified and properly trained personnel. The manufacturer’s instructions should be strictly followed during any change of attachment or front-end equipment, as well as in maintenance operations in general, to avoid injuries and other accidents. Furthermore, these activities require appropriate equipment that complies with national laws.
4. Lifting and lowering the boom
When lifting or lowering the boom it must be fully retracted, in the case of telescopic booms and tucked in for multi-piece booms and dipper arms. By doing so, the machine’s counterweight will be able to compensate for changes in planes of any degree. Additionally, it is important to note that the load capacity of the machine will vary depending on where the boom is positioned relative to the undercarriage.
The machine’s stability when lifting and lowering the boom will also be affected if it’s not placed on level, firm ground.
5. Dust emissions
Every effort should be made to minimise the dust created by the demolition activities in order to avoid health and safety risks. This may be undertaken in several ways (see section 5.4).
6. Working platform
When using a working platform, it must be inspected daily for signs of erosion or degradation caused by weather conditions, water run-off and general wear.
The boom should be lowered or retracted before accessing the working platform, and it should be floated in order to maintain the correct position whilst accessing and egressing the ramp. Occasionally, the boom may need to be raised to a semi-vertical position as the machine approaches the building face. Work platform egress should be reversed, with the boom lowering toward the building face.
Moreover, the debris pit should be sufficiently large between the platform and the face of the building or structure for debris to fall without encroaching on the track frame. To clear debris from the pit and the top of the platform, a conventionally rigged demolition machine should be used in support of the high reach machine.
7. Storage operations at the end of the work shift
The high reach machines must be parked safely after the work shift is over in a specific plant area for that purpose. The attachment should be grounded and the arm should be closed or retracted (for telescopic machines).
The ignition key must be removed from the command, the machine must be completely locked, and, if present, the cabin alarm and protection must be turned on.
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