The six prohibited behaviors during excavator operation have serious consequences if violated

By Alec April 30th, 2025 1191 views

However, in actual operations, the phenomenon of "illegal operation of excavators" is not uncommon, especially some often overlooked high-risk behaviors, which are very likely to cause accidents or major losses.

This article will systematically sort out the "six prohibited behaviors during excavator operation" and combine real cases to illustrate the serious consequences of these illegal operations, helping construction personnel and enterprise managers to establish a stronger safety awareness.

PROHIBITION 1: FORCED START WITHOUT CHECKING THE CONDITION OF THE EQUIPMENT

Many drivers are used to getting on the machine and ignore the inspection link before operation. But in fact, the behavior of "not checking the equipment before excavator operation" is very dangerous. Whether the engine oil is sufficient, whether the hydraulic system is leaking, and whether the crawler is stuck, all of these directly affect the safety of equipment operation.

☑ Correct approach: Before working every day, you must execute the "Safety Checklist before Excavator Startup" to check whether the core components such as fuel, lubricating oil, coolant, lights, horns, and operating handles are normal.

PROHIBITION 2: ILLEGAL OPERATION ON UNSTABLE GROUND OR SOFT FOUNDATION

The consequence of "forcibly operating the excavator on soft soil" is often rollover, landslide, or even the whole machine stuck in the mud, causing huge losses or casualties of the operator. This type of ground usually cannot provide stable support. Once the center of gravity shifts, the equipment is difficult to save.

☑ Correct approach: The bearing capacity of the foundation should be evaluated before operation. If necessary, "add steel plates" or "pads to reinforce the foundation" should be adopted to ensure the stability of the equipment.

PROHIBITION 3: OPERATING WHILE WALKING, ESPECIALLY DRIVING WITH LOAD

In order to meet the deadline, some operators will move the equipment with the bucket not folded or with soil. This behavior of "excavator walking with load" can easily cause the equipment to be unbalanced, especially when turning or going up and downhill.

☑ Correct approach: The bucket must be folded close to the cab and lifted off the ground before moving, and it should be kept at a low speed and slow in a straight line. Turning or climbing under load is prohibited.

PROHIBITION 4: STANDING OPERATION OR MULTIPLE PEOPLE INTERFERING WITH THE OPERATION

On some construction sites, the operator operates the equipment while letting the auxiliary workers stand on the dipper or the body to guide or assist the operation. This "man-operated excavator" behavior is a serious violation of safety operating procedures.

☑ Correct approach: "People in the excavator operation area must keep a safe distance from the equipment", and people are not allowed to stand on the body, crawler or bucket at any time.

PROHIBITION 5: WORKING UNDER HIGH-VOLTAGE WIRES OR EXCAVATING IN BLIND AREAS

The risk of "excavators operating under high-voltage wires" is underestimated by many people. Once the boom or bucket touches the high-voltage wire, it may not only cause electric shock injuries, but also cause equipment damage and fire. In addition, "blind area excavation" is also very easy to dig cables and gas pipelines by mistake, causing serious consequences.

☑ Correct approach: Before construction, you should obtain underground pipeline information, set up safety warning signs, and ensure that "the excavator operation area is more than 6 meters away from the high-voltage wire."

PROHIBITION 6: CONTINUOUS OVERTIME OPERATION OR OVERLOAD USE

Long-term continuous operation will cause the engine temperature to rise, the hydraulic system to overheat, reduce the stability of the equipment, and accelerate the "wear of the main parts of the excavator". Overload use will cause serious faults such as arm breakage and turntable damage.

☑ Correct approach: Strictly control the "continuous operation time of the excavator not to exceed 4 hours", and comply with the rated load of the equipment, and do not violate the regulations for overload operation.

CONSEQUENCES AND REAL CASES OF THE SIX PROHIBITED BEHAVIORS

An excavator at a construction site in Jiangsu was directly operated without inspection, resulting in hydraulic oil leakage, local fire, and the entire machine was scrapped, with a loss of 700,000 yuan.

At a construction site in Changsha, Hunan, the operator was walking on a narrow slope, and the equipment overturned and caused death, which was judged as a major liability accident.

In 2023, in a certain place in Guangzhou, an excavator mistakenly dug a gas pipeline and caused an explosion, causing the construction site to be suspended for two weeks, and the construction unit compensated more than one million yuan.

These real accidents once again prove that the "serious consequences of improper excavator operation" are not alarmist.

STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS IS THE ONLY WAY TO REDUCE RISKS

Whether it is a novice or an experienced operator, they must remain in awe of high-risk, high-value equipment. Enterprises should also strengthen training in daily management, establish an "excavator operator safety behavior assessment system", and implement safety through institutionalized management.

Keeping in mind these "six prohibited behaviors" is not only a protection of equipment, but also a responsibility for the lives of yourself and others. At the construction site, standardized operations are not a choice, but a matter of life and death.

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