Main causes of wheeled dumper accidents
Did you know that over 60% of dumper deaths involve the driver being crushed when the vehicle overturns? Other causes of wheeled dumper accidents include:
- Travelling when high-lift skip is in the raised position
- A pedestrian being run over by the front wheels of the dumper
- The driver being thrown from the dumper while travelling over rough ground
- A driver error due to lack of training, e.g accidental operation of controls
How can site management make wheeled dumper hire safer?
Site management has a legal duty to ensure that conditions are safe and that health and safety is a priority on site. From an operation perspective, this involves ensuring that all routes are maintained and obstacles are removed. Edges of the roadway near excavations or embankments need to also have appropriate support in place, such as stop blocks, in order to prevent dumpers from falling when tipping.
There should also be a clear, pedestrian-only route for members of the public to safely cross, however where this is not possible, a segregated walkway is necessary as is appropriate signage.
Maintaining wheel dumpers for hire is a responsibility which management shares with drivers. There should be a thorough, daily inspection process on wheeled dumper equipment in order to make sure that machinery is safe to operate for the day ahead. Employers and/or site management should also draft a clear maintenance checklist or timetable, upon which the whole team can rely on for evidence of inspection and recent maintenance. This also keeps all of the information in a central place.
It’s also the responsibility of site management and the employer to ensure that all drivers are fully trained and certified to be able to safely operate wheeled dumpers.
What can drivers do to improve the safety of wheeled dumper operation?
There are also a number of simple steps which drivers themselves can follow to keep their operation of wheeled dumpers safe. An obvious one is to avoid loaning keys to other workers! This prevents avoidable accidents when untrained or inexperienced colleagues attempt to operate the machinery, and keeps everybody accountable.
Another important thing to remember is when leaving the vehicle, ensure that the parking brake is applied, the engine is switched off, and the key is removed.
When it comes to loading, this should only be done on level ground with the parking brake applied to avoid overturning. Additionally, drivers should not sit in the wheeled dumper while being loaded in case of the event of overturning.
Other things that drivers can do to improve workplace safety around wheeled dumpers is to know how to properly handle and brake during wet or icy conditions, check tyres and brakes before starting, and wear appropriate protective equipment, such as hi-visibility jackets.
With 50 years of experience in plant hire and sales, we can help you find the equipment best for your requirements. To find out more about the wheeled dumper hire options we offer, call us today on 01908 562191 or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, fill out one of our enquiry forms and an expert from our team will get back to you shortly.