Safety on the worksite is of the utmost importance. It is an area that Accura Earthmoving take seriously and implement in each project. Here we share tips for working safely and additional safety measures to employ on the worksite.

Machinery

To maximise the safety of your project, all machines need to be well maintained and well taken care of. Every morning our operators perform a mechanical pre-start on each piece of equipment. This involves checking the engine oil, hydraulic oil, coolant and looking over the machine for tyre or track damage, any oil leaks, or any fuel leaks.

At the end of the day, we grease the machines including greasing all pins on the machine. We clean out the air filters, make sure the tracks are clean and that there is no build-up of dirt in the under carriage—the under carriage being the track frame of the machine.

Keeping machines in tip top shape allows them to operate at their best. A weekly wash with a pressure cleaner is what Accura recommend and what we do. Accura’s fleet of excavation machines and dumpers receive regular maintenance and upkeep. The Caterpillar excavators are serviced at 500-hour intervals courtesy of WesTrac’s field servicing. We also recommend giving the vehicle’s operating cab a good clear out each afternoon.

Teamwork

Safety includes everyone on the worksite. We recommend positive communication and keeping an open line of communication with all who visit the worksite. Everyone working is equipped with a handheld radio. It’s important for all onsite to be aware of everyone’s movements as the areas can be tight and there is often not a lot of room. Terrain can be very tight and steep which may be difficult to navigate – especially for new workers and operators. Therefore, experience and focus are needed.

Certification and safety requirements

Accura’s operators are qualified and hold relevant RII certifications. The RII certificationis an Australia wide recognised ticket. RII stands for Resources and Infrastructure Industry, and the certification is obtained by workers in the civil construction, mining, oil, gas and rail sectors. There are specific tickets related to operating excavators, dozers, dump trucks and graders and obtaining the relevant certification allows operators to safely use the equipment.

Safe Working Method Statements or SWMS are risk assessments for each job that we do. These are signed for every project. The SWMS document outlines the risks of the job and what you can do to minimise risks. SWMS is a legal requirement and Accura Earthmoving ensure these are up to date. They need to be read, filled out and signed by each person that comes to the worksite for a job.

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