Devices for Moving Loads
6. SAFETY IN THE HANDLING OF DUMPERS
On-site traffic regulations are to be complied with, as are Road Regulations in general.
- The use of safety belts.
- In the case of any anomaly observed in its handling, inform your immediate superior so that the necessary measures may be taken to remedy said anomaly.
- Circulate in the designated, signposted areas for vehicles.
- Switch off the engine when not using the dumper.
- Keep the cab clean of slippery substances, cloths, tools, pieces of material, etc.
- Get on and off the dumper facing it and at the place designed for that purpose, holding on firmly.
- Respect safety distances as regards power lines. Perform all operations slowly, do not make brusque movements, avoid braking abruptly.
- The speed of the dumper must adjust to work conditions.
- With the vehicle loaded, you must go backwards down ramps with slopes in excess of 10%, slowly and avoiding braking abruptly.
- With the aforementioned exception, you must never circulate in reverse gear.
- Circulating on slopes or ramps in excess of 20% in wet ground and 30% in dry ground is forbidden.
- Circulating on slopes is not forbidden.
- Check that the ground is resistant enough for the loaded vehicle.
- Do not circulate with the skip raised and, if the dumper has a shovel loader, this is to remain unextended.
- Do not dump the contents of the skip close to an unconsolidated slope.
- When dumping earth or another material next to trenches and slopes, you must place a limiting element that impedes the dumper from advancing beyond a prudential distance from the difference in level, bearing in mind the natural angle of the embankment.
- In the case of having to crank start the engine, grasp the crank handle with your thumb on the same side as your fingers.
- The load is to be checked before starting off, making sure that it is correctly distributed and that it does not destabilize the dumper.
- Loads are to appropriate for the type of skip available and are never to hinder the driver’s view.
- Do not overload the vehicle.
- The load must never stick out of the skip.
- Whenever possible, do not situate the dumper in an area that is accessible to persons unrelated to the works.
- Never stop the engine using the decompression lever.
- Do not operate with machines in places with insufficient ventilation.
- There is a risk of carbon monoxide intoxication.
- When the dumper is loaded by means of a front-end loader, crane or other external means, the driver must leave his post in the cab during the operation.
- After passing through mud or pools of water, check the brakes are working properly.
- Clean the machine with the engine off when you have finished using it.
- Immobilize the machine with the parking brake and, if it is not possible to park on the flat, use chocks.
- If it has a self-loading bucket, situate this at ground level.
- Si dispone de pala autocargadora, situarla a nivel del suelo.
- Put the levers for actuating the mast in the “O” position (neutral).
- Switch off the engine and remove the ignition key from the machine.
- If the dumper has a battery disconnecting device, use it.
- Choose a place which does not hinder traffic.
- Switch off the engine and engage the brake.
- To prevent the machine from being started, remove the necessary elements to prevent any unauthorised person from being able to use it.
- Park on the flat. If this is not possible, use chocks.
- The parking area should preferably be clean (this helps identify possible leaks).
- Fill up in a place that is ventilated.
- Make sure that the diesel to use is of the appropriate type.
- Do not fill the tank too much or spill any diesel.
- Keep the engine switched off.
- Do not smoke or light a flame.
- Have means of extinction nearby.
- Always have fuel containers duly labelled.
