Safe Travelling, Manoeuvring and Working on Site
Travelling safely means controlling speed, load position and visibility. Key principles: travel with the load low and the boom retracted to keep the centre of gravity low; keep the attachment close to the ground; use a banksman/vehicle marshal where visibility is restricted; observe site speed limits and one-way systems; and slow down on uneven ground, slopes and near pedestrians.
Understand slope handling: travel straight up and down slopes where possible, keep the load uphill, and avoid turning on slopes. Know the effect of rear-end swing when steering, particularly in four-wheel steer. Understand ground conditions: soft ground, trenches, excavations, and made-up ground can cause overturning; check for underground services and edge protection near excavations.
Traps:
- Travelling with the boom raised 'just for a moment' - a classic overturn cause.
- Assuming the machine can handle any slope - check the manufacturer's limit.
- Forgetting that a load can shift in transit.
- Believing a banksman is optional when visibility is fine - but required when it is not.
- Overlooking overhead hazards: power lines, structures, trees.
Rule of thumb: Low, slow and retracted - boom low, speed low, boom retracted, and eyes on the route.
Worked example: You must cross a slope to reach a stockpile. Travel straight up/down the slope with the load on the uphill side, boom retracted and low. Do not turn on the slope; if a turn is needed, complete it on level ground first.
Lifting Operations, Slinging and Load Securement
Lifting operations combine planning, communication and slinging knowledge. Understand the lift plan: assess the load, its weight and centre of gravity, the radius, the chart, the route, the landing point and the communication method. Know the roles: operator, slinger/signaller, and appointed person where required. Communication must be clear and agreed before the lift; if you lose sight of the signaller, stop.
Slinging concepts: know that SWL/WLL (safe working load / working load limit) must exceed the load, that sling angles affect tension (the wider the angle from vertical, the greater the tension), and that sharp edges need protection. Understand load securement: loads must be restrained against movement, with the restraint rated for the load, and the load checked before and during travel.
Traps:
- Forgetting to include slinging gear weight in the total load.
- Assuming any sling can be used at any angle - angle affects capacity.
- Believing a load is secure because it 'feels heavy' - use rated restraints.
- Continuing a lift after losing sight of the signaller.
- Overlooking the load's centre of gravity - an off-centre load can swing or tip.
Rule of thumb: Plan, communicate, check, lift, land, secure - and never lift a load you cannot see or control.
Worked example: A load is slung with two legs at a wide angle. The tension in each leg rises sharply as the angle widens, so the sling's capacity at that angle must be checked, not assumed from its straight-pull rating. Protect sharp edges, confirm the SWL, and only then lift.