Safe travelling, manoeuvring and working on slopes and uneven ground
Stability on gradients
A dumper is short, high and often loaded unevenly, so its centre of gravity moves quickly. On any slope, travel straight up or straight down, never across the face, and never turn on a gradient. Keep the skip low and level at all times; a raised skip on a slope is a rollover waiting to happen. Loaded machines should be driven so the loaded skip stays at the uphill end - which usually means reversing down a gradient when loaded - so check the manufacturer's guidance and use a banksman if visibility is poor. Select a low gear before you reach the slope, not on it, and do not coast.
Ground conditions and manoeuvring
Watch for soft ground, backfilled trenches, kerbs and edges. Keep well back from excavations - a common rule of thumb is a set-back at least equal to the depth of the excavation, or as the site specifies. Cross trenches at right angles, not at an angle, and use the differential lock only while it is needed. Reduce speed before hazards, sound the horn at blind corners, obey site speed limits and one-way systems, and never carry passengers.
Traps
- Travelling across a slope "because it is shorter" is a classic rollover cause.
- Reversing without a clear view - the machine's rear blind spot is large; use a banksman.
- Tyre pressure and uneven loading change stability far more than most candidates expect.
Rule of thumb
If you cannot see where the machine is going, it does not go - get a banksman or find another route.