digger - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T08:49:49Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/diggerBuilding company fined after employee struck by digger buckethttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/building-company-fined-after-employee-struck-by-digger-bucket2015-01-13T15:13:23.000Z2015-01-13T15:13:23.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p align="center" style="text-align: left;"><strong>A building company has been fined for safety failings after an employee broke his back when he was struck by the bucket on a digger. </strong></p>
<p>RMC Building and Civil Engineering Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an investigation into the incident at the Longleat Estate in Warminster.</p>
<p>Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard today (12 Jan) that the company had been hired to install fencing around the estate in January 2014. Peter McGrellis, who was 48 and living in Westbury at the time, was one of three employees carrying out the work, which involved using a digger to push wooden fence posts into the ground. </p>
<p>The posts were held by hand whilst the operator of the digger rested the bucket on top of the post and applied downward pressure to it. </p>
<p>On 16 January, Mr McGrellis was holding one of the posts ready for the digger to push it down. The top of the post split, causing the bucket to slip and hit Mr McGrellis on the shoulder, knocking him to the ground. </p>
<p>He suffered significant injuries including a broken vertebra. Mr McGrellis was in hospital for over a week and he still suffers with pain. </p>
<p>An HSE investigation found that the company failed to plan, manage and monitor the work. The method statement prepared by the company for the operation indicated a piece of equipment called a post driver was going to be used to drive the posts into the ground but that the digger may be used to position the posts. A post driver had been ordered along with a smaller digger but it arrived after the incident happened. </p>
<p>The investigation also found that while a risk assessment had been produced, it made no reference to the risk of working close to the digger.  </p>
<p>RMC Building & Civil Engineering Ltd, of Perivale Business Park, Horsenden Lane, Greenford, London, was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay costs of £1,117 after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. </p>
<p>Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Ian Whittles said: “The use of excavator vehicles in such a manner is dangerous and is known to cause injury. The serious failure of RMC Building & Civil Engineering in not managing this job properly led to this avoidable incident and unfortunately Mr McGrellis suffered as a result. </p>
<p>“Workers have a right to expect that the equipment they use is appropriate for the task – on this occasion the equipment used was clearly not suitable for the job. </p>
<p>“Anyone in control of construction projects must ensure the work is properly planned and thoroughly risk-assessed to avoid such incidents.” </p>
<p>Further information on construction site safety can be found on the HSE website at <a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/" id="contentContainerhttpwwwhsegovukconstructionhttpwwwhsegovukconstruction" name="contentContainerhttpwwwhsegovukconstructionhttpwwwhsegovukconstruction">http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction</a>. </p>
</div>Barnstaple building company fined for ignoring safety riskshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/barnstaple-building-company-fined-for-ignoring-safety-risks2013-03-21T11:01:01.000Z2013-03-21T11:01:01.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>A Barnstaple construction company has been fined for safety failings after a ground worker was seriously injured when he stumbled from an excavator and fell down a five metre bank at a construction site in Middle Marwood.</p>
<p>The 65-year-old, who does not want to be named, suffered three fractured vertebrae, broken ribs and sternum, lung damage and a head wound that required stitches in the incident at a cottage undergoing renovation on 6 October 2011.</p>
<p>He was in intensive care for three weeks, has yet to make a full recovery and is unlikely to work again.</p>
<p>Barnstaple Magistrates' Court heard today (20 March) that his employer, G Loosemore and Son Ltd, had been contracted to build a two-storey extension at the rear of a cottage.</p>
<p>The ground worker was engaged in excavation work on land that sloped steeply upwards. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that his excavator was working on a level of ground at approximately roof height with the cottage in order to dig out material to make way for a terrace area and exterior steps leading to upper garden levels.</p>
<p>He needed to change the excavator's bucket during the work, but as he exited the cab he stumbled. He tried to steady himself by grabbing hold of a handle attached to the lift arm, but it came away in his hand and he fell approximately five metres down a slope and onto the path behind the cottage. He hit his head on a large stone as he fell and was knocked unconscious.</p>
<p>HSE established that there was no edge protection to prevent a fall to the area behind the cottage, and no steps were taken to support the excavation prior to the later installation of a supporting wall. The investigation also identified that there had been several falls of material from the main excavation area before the worker fell. These should have served as a warning, but no action was taken.</p>
<p>A Prohibition Notice was subsequently served to prevent any further excavation work at the site until a competent person had made an assessment and provided a safe system of work.</p>
<p>G Loosemore & Son Ltd, of Roundswell Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon, was fined a total of £12,000 and ordered to pay £11,210 in costs after pleading guilty to breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.</p>
<p>Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Annette Walker said:</p>
<p>"The dangers of working at height without adequate edge protection, and the risks associated with excavation collapse, are very clear. Yet companies and individuals continue to take risks and cut corners.</p>
<p>"In this case, significant harm occurred in respect of a fall from height. G Loosemore & Son Ltd could and should have done more to prevent the fall from the top of the bank, but this was only addressed as a consequence of the incident.</p>
<p>"There were a number of collapses of material prior to the fall that should have prompted the company to take earlier action, but these warnings were ignored. It illustrated there were serious risks, but they were disregarded.</p>
<p>"Today's prosecution should remind all involved in excavation work, or general work at height, of their legal duties to safely manage activity and provide the necessary protection."</p>
<p>Further information about working safely at height can be found on the HSE website at <a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm" id="contentContainerhttpwwwhsegovukfallsindexhtmwwwhsegovukfalls" name="contentContainerhttpwwwhsegovukfallsindexhtmwwwhsegovukfalls">www.hse.gov.uk/falls</a>. Information on excavation safety can be found at<a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm" id="contentContainerhttpwwwhsegovukconstructionindexhtmwwwhsegovukconstruction" name="contentContainerhttpwwwhsegovukconstructionindexhtmwwwhsegovukconstruction">www.hse.gov.uk/construction</a></p>
</div>HRC Rock Cutters now available from Reach it - Move it - Crush it for excavators & compact loadershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/hrc-rock-cutters-now-available-from-reach-it-move-it-crush-it-for2012-01-06T16:00:00.000Z2012-01-06T16:00:00.000ZPeter Woolnoughhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/PeterWoolnough<div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="font-size-4">HRC Series - Rock & Stone Cutters now available</span></span></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314182674?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314182674?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-left" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;"/></a></p><p><span>We have just introduced a new range of r</span>ock cutters to our equipments sales side, which are capable of grinding tree stumps, cutting access routes for pipework through ground base/bed rock, cutting trenches in reinforced concrete with minimal noise, dust and vibration and are also used in building renovation, demolition, roadworks and similar landscape site operations. They can be mounted on 2.5T - 65T excavators as well as skid steer loaders, articulated loade<span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="text_exposed_show">rs, backhoe diggers, front end loaders, etc.</span></span></p><p><span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br/>Also for on site recycling of soils and concrete, both our screening buckets and concrete crusher buckets have had there specifications upgraded for 2012.<br/> <br/> You can see the concrete crushing and soil/material screening buckets at <a href="http://www.reachitmoveitcrushit.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow">www.ReachitMoveitCrushit.com</a> </span></span>and as soon as we get the site updated with the rock cutters specifications i will let you know, as i can see a lot of potential for landscapers and the like only needing to own one tool that will do the job of several with all the savings that will entail.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3">Reach It - Move It - Crush It </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-2">Compact equipment sales aimed mainly at the Landscaping & Treework Contractors</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-2">for time, cost saving and recycling.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-2"><a href="http://www.reachitmoveitcrushit.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow">www.ReachitMoveitCrushit.com</a></span></p></div>Kubota's Dash 4 excavators prove an instant hithttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/kubotas-dash-4-excavators2010-12-21T13:32:24.000Z2010-12-21T13:32:24.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314174566?profile=original"><img width="150" class="align-right" style="padding: 5px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314174566?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150" /></a>[PRESS RELEASE] Plant hire firms, builders, contractors, utilities, local authorities and owner operators alike have enthusiastically welcomed the new generation of Dash 4 mini excavators from Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment, praising the machines’ unrivalled blend of power, reliability and the very latest technology. The manufacturer’s new U48-4, U55-4 and KX057-4 models have already been pressed into service following their UK introduction at the company’s Kubota Live! event at Rockingham Castle earlier in 2010. The machines have built upon the excellence of their predecessors by offering users more strength per pound, thanks to each one’s increased boom lifting force, which has allowed Kubota to step up the weight scale. The new U48-4 zero tail swing excavator offers 4.7 tonnes of lifting power, combined with the ability to work in confined spaces. This makes it the most powerful zero-tail swing machine in Kubota’s range, while still offering a smooth travel performance. The Kubota U55-4 tight tail swing machine sees the range breaking new ground with 5.4 tonnes of lifting power, complemented by excellent stability and high performance in restricted areas. The Kubota KX057-4, meanwhile, hits the 5.5 tonne mark, added to a maximum dig-depth of 3,890mm and an impressive bucket digging force of 4,315kgf. The machines also offer a host of easy-to-use features and unrivalled user comfort. There is better visibility and a space-age digital display, which indicates fuel level, engine temperature, service intervals, auxiliary circuit oil flow settings and even the machine’s operational history. Each has a new load-sensing hydraulic system which provides optimum oil flow to each cylinder, offering smooth operation and enhanced fuel economy, as well as an auto-shift system which enables automatic travel shift from high to low, depending on traction effort and terrain. Their Interim Tier 4 engines have a fuel-saving auto-idle function and can all be serviced from one side, while, on the outside, all three models now feature a new look black cab livery, which will be subsequently rolled out across the rest of the Kubota mini excavator product range, as and when new Dash 4 models are launched. One of the first companies to invest in the Dash 4s - in this case, two KX057-4 models - was Jarvie Plant Group Ltd, which is one of Scotland’s leading independent hire companies and operates out of seven bases in Central Scotland, including its HQ in Grangemouth, near Falkirk. The group’s managing director, John Jarvie, said: "We have bought Kubota equipment for many years and are committed to a continual investment programme for our fleet, so it was a natural decision for us to buy the very latest KX057-4 machines. "Customers these days want mini excavators that are quieter, offer enhanced performance and which are more fuel-efficient. The KX057-4 achieves all of these targets, providing the benefits direct to our clients." Further north, in Aberdeen, MTM Construction Ltd bought a Kubota U55-4, which has been added to its fleet in order to answer the growing need for machines capable of working in confined spaces. Bill McDonald, plant/transport manager for MTM Construction, said: "We’re very pleased with the machine, it’s the biggest Kubota mini that we’ve got and gives us a powerful excavator for tight areas. "It also accommodates a wide range of attachments and you can pre-set the oil flow so you don’t have to get a fitter to adjust it for you when you use another attachment. "We’re always keen to buy Kubotas because they’re extremely reliable. We like to keep them for a number of years and we’re confident we’ll get good service from this one." All three new Dash 4 machines were sold by Young Plant & Equipment Sales, based in Doune, Stirling, which is one of the largest compact equipment sellers in the world and one of Kubota’s largest dealers for mini excavators. It has sold Kubota minis for 31 years, but managing director Brian Young said that the host of upgrades incorporated into the Dash 4s are as impressive as he has seen. He said: "Our customers are thrilled with what they are getting with the Dash 4s, and still know that, like all Kubotas, they are reliable, need minimal servicing and hold their value. "The differences between the previous Dash 3 models and the new Dash 4s are significant and once again show how far in front Kubota is compared to other manufacturers. If you take the U48-4, for example, not only have you got a bigger machine with the same footprint, everything is well thought-out and the digital control layout is revolutionary. "It’s products like this which make me glad that we sell Kubotas and I can guarantee that whatever Kubota does today, the rest of the industry will be doing it tomorrow." Like other Kubota mini excavators, the Dash 4s are fitted with their unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' system as standard, which has gained the certification of Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre. They also come with an industry-leading full three year warranty. Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment sales and marketing manager, Richard Harrison, said: "It’s not just the new black livery that is making the new Kubota Dash 4s distinctive, it’s the host of modifications, improved technology and the extra power that we have given them that really makes them stand out from the crowd. "We are pleased that all the companies in question are thrilled with their new machines and we are getting more excellent feedback every day. The introduction of the first models in our new Dash 4 range is a significant step forward for Kubota, so we are delighted that the innovations we develop in the factory are now providing our customers with significantly increased benefits." Kubota is the UK, European and world leader in mini excavators, with 19 models spanning the weight range from 980kg to 8 tonnes, providing the widest choice of machines from a single manufacturer and the largest selection of increasingly popular zero tail swing minis. The excavators are all known and respected for their quality, performance, versatility, excellent residual values and exceptional dealer support, together with legendary reliability and durability. For more information about their market-leading machines and to find out why more people choose Kubota than any other mini excavators contact: Kubota (UK) Ltd, Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3UN. Tel: 01844 214500, Email: sales@kubota.co.uk or visit Web: <a href="http://www.kubota.co.uk">www.kubota.co.uk</a>
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