CSCS Mini Digger flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Blue circular safety sign

A mandatory sign showing a white symbol on a blue background; it tells you that a specific action must be taken in that area, such as wearing head or eye protection.

Yellow triangular safety sign

A warning sign, a yellow triangle with a black border and symbol, alerting you to a hazard in the area such as a deep excavation, moving plant or overhead lines.

Spoil heap set-back distance

Excavated spoil must be stored at least one metre back from the trench edge so that its weight does not surcharge the sides and cause the excavation to collapse.

Excavation access ladder spacing

Any excavation deeper than 1.2 metres needs a means of escape, typically ladders spaced so that no worker has to travel more than about 25 metres to reach one.

CAT and Genny use

A cable avoidance tool and signal generator locate buried services before digging. The area is scanned in a grid pattern, the line marked, then confirmed by careful hand digging.

Overhead line minimum approach

Treat every overhead line as live. HSE guidance GS6 sets minimum clearance distances by voltage, and barriers or goal posts mark a safe route beneath the line.

Slewing excavator exclusion zone

No one may stand within the machine's maximum reach plus a margin while it is slewing; the operator must keep the bucket clear of people, vehicles and structures.

RIDDOR dangerous occurrence, plant

The overturning or collapse of an excavator, or the failure of a lifting accessory or sling, is a reportable dangerous occurrence even when nobody is injured.

Welfare facilities under CDM

Schedule 2 of CDM 2015 requires sanitary conveniences, washing facilities, drinking water, changing and drying rooms, rest areas and first-aid provision to be available on site.

HASAWA employer general duty

Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work.

PUWER 1998 core requirement

Work equipment must be suitable for its use, maintained in a safe condition, used only by trained people, and inspected at suitable intervals with the results recorded.

LOLER thorough examination interval

Lifting accessories and equipment used to lift people require a thorough examination at least every six months; other lifting equipment at least every twelve months.

RIDDOR over-seven-day injury

An injury that keeps a worker off their normal duties for more than seven consecutive days must be reported to the enforcing authority within ten days of the incident.

MHSWR 1999 risk assessment

Employers must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to workers and others, record the significant findings, and appoint competent persons to assist them.

HSG47 scope

HSE guidance on avoiding danger from underground services; it covers planning, locating services from plans and with locators, safe digging methods and emergency action after a cable strike.

CDM 2015 principal contractor duty

The principal contractor must plan, manage and monitor the construction work, draw up a construction phase plan, and ensure welfare facilities are provided before work begins.

Stabilisers on wheeled excavator

On a wheeled machine the dozer blade or outriggers are fully lowered and the machine levelled before digging; the bucket is never used to pull the machine along.

Travelling downhill with a bucket

Keep the bucket low and on the downhill side, travel straight up or down the slope rather than across it, and stay within the manufacturer's rated gradient.

Quick hitch locking pin

The attachment must be correctly engaged and the locking pin or safety device fitted and visually checked before the machine is used, to prevent the bucket releasing unexpectedly.

Toothless ditching bucket use

A wider, toothless bucket is used for trimming, grading and trench work where a clean finish is needed, rather than for breaking out hard or compacted ground.

Excavator lifting capacity

Safe lifting capacity falls as the load is moved further out or higher. The operator reads the manufacturer's load chart for the actual radius and uses certified lifting points only.

Slewing over the spoil heap

Loading to the side of the machine is normal, but the bucket must never pass over site workers, vehicles or the cab; a vehicle marshal controls approach to the machine.

Bucket curl and breakout force

Digging force is greatest when the dipper and bucket are in line with the machine and the bucket is curled in; crowding the bucket out reduces breakout force and drags the machine forward.

Rated gradient for tracked plant

An excavator may only travel on slopes within the maximum gradient stated by the manufacturer, with the operator first checking ground condition, surface and machine stability.

Site traffic segregation

Pedestrian routes must be physically separated from plant movements, and where plant has to reverse a trained vehicle marshal must control the manoeuvre and stay visible.

Daily walkaround pre-use check

Before each shift the operator checks engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel, tracks, hoses, lights, horn, seat belt and fire extinguisher, and records any defects found.

Hydraulic injection injury

A pinhole leak in a pressurised hose can inject fluid through the skin. Leaks are never traced with bare hands but with a piece of card or wood held clear.

PUWER recorded inspection interval

Excavators need a recorded inspection by a competent person at intervals set by risk assessment, commonly weekly on construction sites, and always after substantial alteration or repair.

Defect reporting decision rule

If a pre-use check reveals a defect affecting safe operation, the machine is taken out of service, tagged and reported to the supervisor before any further work takes place.

Track tension and wear check

Tracks are checked at the interval given in the manufacturer's manual; loose tracks can derail, and worn or missing track plates reduce grip, so both are recorded at inspection.

Refuelling a mini digger

Switch the engine off and let it cool, allow no smoking or naked flame, use a funnel and spill kit, clean up any diesel, and check hoses for leaks before restarting.