TIMBERDEN PLANT HIRE BACKHOE OR LOADER

Authorised by Document Name: Document1 Page 1 Version 5.0

TIMBERDEN PLANT HIRE Fill = Green 204
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
Workplace:________________ Page: 1 of 7
TASK / OPERATION: Backhoe or Loader

Overall Risk
Rating After
Controls
4 Acute 3 High
2 Moderate 1 Low
Personal Protective Equipment Fill = Green 204

Foot
Protection
Hearing
Protection
High
Visibility
Head
Protection
Eye
Protection


Normal Requirements:
Safety footwear, hearing protection, high visibility shirt or vest, hard hat and sun protection if required (broad brim hat, sun screen, tinted
safety glasses), eye protection.
Safety Notes Fill = Green 204
Check local regulation for training requirements.
Generally:
Trainees are permitted to operate equipment provided they are under direct supervision and maintain a logbook.
Nationally uniform Certificates of Competency issued by WorkCover are automatically recognised. Certificates do not have to be changed over to work
interstate.

Queensland:
Has no requirement for backhoe or loader operation with motors less than 2 Litres. Usual Duty of Care applies.
Requires trainees to under go an accredited course (30496QLDCourse in operating load shifting equipment) supervised by a Registered Training
Organisation.

TIMBERDEN PLANT HIRE BACKHOE OR LOADER




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Victoria:
Has not required a licence to operate a backhoe not > 0.6 cubic metres nor a loader since 1 July 2007.
Instead it places the general responsibility on employers to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to employees as are necessary
to enable them to perform their work in a manner that is safe and without risks to health.

Sequence
Potential Hazards or
Risks of Each Step.
RB Control Measures - Actions to be Taken RA
Responsible
officer
NOTE: RB = Risk Rating before controls implemented - RA = Risk Rating after controls are implemented.
Risk Assessment - Site Personal injury;
Crush.
Struck by.

Damage to plant and
equipment.
2M Site personnel:
Hard hats and high visibility clothing required when
working around backhoe.

Public safety
Where required the site should be barricaded off to
ensure the public is not placed in harms way.
(Example Working on footpaths)

Traffic flow:
Accessing and exiting the work site. (Especially
important if deliveries are being made or spoil
removed.)

Services:
Above and below ground services must be located
prior to work commencing.

1L
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Sequence
Potential Hazards or
Risks of Each Step.
RB Control Measures - Actions to be Taken RA
Responsible
officer
NOTE: RB = Risk Rating before controls implemented - RA = Risk Rating after controls are implemented.
Operators
requirements
Legislation breach

Use of:
Untrained operators.
Uncertified operators.

See Safety Notes above.
2M Training:
Should include:
Safe work procedures.
Fitting of personal protective equipment.
Manual handling.

Review manufacturers operation manual.

1L
Transporting Personal injury
Possible fatality.
Struck by.

Incorrect operation of
plant.

Traffic violation.
2M Driving:
The loader or backhoe must be operated in
accordance with statutory regulations at all times
(e.g. while being driven on roads).
Speed limits, obligatory and recommended, are to
be observed.

Personnel are NOT to be:
Carried in the cabin
Lifted in or in anyway operate from within the
buckets.
Walk under raised attachments Jack hammer etc.

1L
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Sequence
Potential Hazards or
Risks of Each Step.
RB Control Measures - Actions to be Taken RA
Responsible
officer
NOTE: RB = Risk Rating before controls implemented - RA = Risk Rating after controls are implemented.
Pre-Start Checks Personal injury
Crush.
Struck by.

Damage to equipment
Lack of familiarisation.
Poor visibility out of
cabin.

3H Read and understand handbook and check log book.
Operate only when warning lights and sound warning
devices are in working order.

Check:
Windows, lights and rear view mirror are clean.
For damage to buckets, pivot pins, windows.
For oil leaks.
For tyre damage.
Inside of cabin for loose objects.

Note: Maintenance Safety struts must be in place
before any work is carried out on raised buckets.

2M
Access Personal injury
Slips and falls.
2M Face the cabin and use the handrails and steps
provided. Remember to have three points of
contact.

When accessing the engine for maintenance, use
appropriate access provided (steps) to ascend and
descend from the vehicle. DO NOT step out onto
tyres.
1L
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Sequence
Potential Hazards or
Risks of Each Step.
RB Control Measures - Actions to be Taken RA
Responsible
officer
NOTE: RB = Risk Rating before controls implemented - RA = Risk Rating after controls are implemented.
Seat adjustment Personal injury
Sprains and strains.
Trauma.
2M Ensure:
The seat is locked in position and cannot rotate
unless released by the operator.

Adjust:
Arm rests, fore and aft, backrest angle.
Weight dial (where fitted) on the side of the seat to
your body weight. (Ensures correct operation.)

Check:
Operation of seat belt and fasten.
(Remember that in the event of a roll over you need
the ROPS to do their work and the operator not be
thrown around in the cabin.)

1L
Operation
Backhoe - Digging
Personal injury
Struck by.

Incorrect operation of
plant.

Damage to:
Environment.
Backhoe roll over.
(Backhoes are top
heavy.)
3H Park the backhoe in a suitable position.
Lower the front bucket to the ground.
Turn the seat around to face the backhoe not the
front bucket.
Ensure that the correct shoes have been
selected .for the stabiliser feet. (Example -
Rubber padded where damage may occur to
bitumen.)
Lower the stabilisers and lift the rear wheels off
the ground.
Side shift the backhoe if required. (If fitted)
Note: the proximity of personnel. (The backhoe
boom will move from side to side. People have
been hit and crushed by booms.)

2M
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Sequence
Potential Hazards or
Risks of Each Step.
RB Control Measures - Actions to be Taken RA
Responsible
officer
NOTE: RB = Risk Rating before controls implemented - RA = Risk Rating after controls are implemented.
Changing buckets and
or attachments
Personal injury
Trauma.

Equipment damage.
2M Place bucket and or attachment on firm level
ground. (Attachment can include hydraulic
hammers, augers, grapplers amongst other
items.)
Operate the parking brake.
Ensure personnel are not in front of bucket or
attachment as it might roll.

1L
Lifting with Personal injury
Trauma.
Equipment damage.
2M Check the lifting chains and slings for damage before
using.

Never exceed the lifting capacity of the backhoe loader.

1L
On completion -
Parking
Personal injury
Damage to backhoe
and other vehicles
and equipment.
2M Park on level ground.
Engage the park brake.
Place bucket on the ground.
Ensure backhoe is stationary and turned off
before dismounting.

1L
Travelling Vehicle accident
striking.
2M Ensure backhoe does not extend beyond the side
of the cabin. (Special oversize permits will be
required.)
Backhoe should be tucked in behind the cabin or
centred and pointing directly behind cabin.
Engage any locking mechanisms.

1L




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References:
Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 2008
Victoria - Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007
Victoria WorkCover - Publication Licence Classes
New South Wales WorkCover Front end loader / Backhoe National Certificate of Competency