Quick Hitch
ACTIVITY:
PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
TITLE
Quick Hitch
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
WHAT HAPPENED
During a Hydraulic excavator operator competence assessment it was discovered, during pre start checks, that the safety pin on the bucket coupler (quick hitch) was missing. The coupler is a semi-automatic type which requires the safety pin to be manually fitted after mounting the bucket / attachment. The HSE has issued many warnings about this type of coupler and have advised that in all cases they intend to seek to prosecute anyone operating these devices with the pin not fitted. This follows a number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by the bucket / attachment accidentally uncoupling during operation. Their concern on these hitches led to an agreement between the HSE and Excavator manufacturers to cease to supply this type of hitch in to the market as of 1 October 2008.
More information is available by following this link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safehitch.htm
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
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LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
Any excavators with interchangeable buckets / breakers on site must be checked to ascertain the type of coupler fitted and that it is being used safely to the manufacturers instruction. If in doubt about which type you have contact the machine supplier for advice.
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
ACTIVITY:
PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
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