Shutdown, parking, securing and post-operational checks
Correct shutdown protects people, the machine and the environment. The sequence a candidate must know: park on firm, level ground away from excavation edges and traffic routes; lower the bucket and any attachment to the ground; retract the arm and boom to a stable position; apply the parking brake; neutralise the controls; idle the engine to cool the turbo before switching off; remove the key; isolate the battery where required; and lock the cab and any security devices. Where the machine is left overnight, follow the site's isolation and lock-off procedure.
Post-operational checks include a walk-round for new damage, leaks or loose parts, checking track tension or tyres, cleaning the machine (especially the tracks, windows and lights) and reporting defects. Refuelling must be done with the engine off, in a designated area, with spill control and no ignition sources; never refuel near an open flame or while smoking. Record the machine's hours, fuel and any faults in the log.
Rule of thumb: the machine is only "parked" when the bucket is on the ground, the brake is on, the key is out and the cab is locked - anything less is an unattended hazard.
Traps include leaving the bucket raised "because it will be used again shortly", parking on a slope without chocking, and assuming a defect noticed at shutdown can wait until the next operator's shift without being reported.