Problems with Quick Hitch training addressed

In its eighth year since its launch, the governments and Health and Safety Commission strategy to improve health and safety at work has seen a steady improvement since June 2000. However the statistics show that there were still 6 million working days were lost in 2006/07 due to workplace injuries according to the HSE. These figures include 241 workers killed, 141,350 with injuries resulting in 3 days or more absent from work, and 274,000 reportable injuries.

It is a fact of business life that trained operators move on, hence new ones need to be recruited and trained, also staff turnover fluctuates and seasonal peaks in business create exceptional demands for qualified operators. It is also a fact that some employers, and many employees, take shortcuts by not bothering to cover all necessary areas - and not devoting the right time and skills to training. Potentially this has disastrous operational, legal and financial consequences. Due to the direct and indirect cost of workplace transport operator training, whether a company has its own in-house trainers or uses external training providers, this activity rarely receives the attention it should.

A recent SIM report issued by the HSE on the ‘safe use of quick hitch devices on excavators’ highlights the various concerns they have in this operation in particular semi automatic hitches, where the attachment can be changed using the hydraulic system of the piece of equipment, however safety pins have to be inserted manually. Such operations can be completed up to 30 times a day in order to maximise the machines productivity, but 13% of all accidents involving excavators are attributed to the bucket detaching from a quick hitch and injuring ground workers, leading to mostly fatal and major injuries, with many more near misses not even being reported, meaning quick hitch failures are more common than first thought, and prosecution being pursued.

Companies reviewing the SIM document and the training they have provided in the past, have realised this is an area of concern that has not been covered previously, either by operators not receiving updated training or assessing, or not being trained correctly in the first place.

Mentor provides training courses that are fully approved by the Health & Safety Executive’s accrediting bodies and all Mentor instructors are examined, registered externally and constantly monitored, ensuring all customers receive the highest and most professional service. As part of their excavator training package accredited by EMP (Awarding body for the extractive industry) a module is solely devoted to quick hitches, consisting of both theoretical and practical training in the safe use of quick hitches.
The training consists of the different types of quick hitches the Manual system where the operator is required to change attachment by winding a screw thread to open and close a latch, or using a bar to open a spring actuated latch, also the semi automatic system where the operator has to leave the cab to insert a retaining pin after he has hydraulically changed the attachment. Finally the fully automatic system which is operated entirely from the cab of the machine, with an independent locking system, which functions automatically and does not rely on the hydraulic pressure to hold the latch in its closed position, is addressed.

It covers the dangers of buckets detaching not only when an accident occurs but also when near misses happen, and the complacency in not realising the extended length of the attached when attached with a quick hitch.

Management responsibilities are also included as operators need to know that risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place for them to follow when using such equipment on site. Also the quick hitch is regularly used as a lifting aid, and the course covers all LOLER regulations, plus both operator and management requirements it relates to.

One major issue is the fact that the quick hitches are very rarely manufactured by the excavator manufactures, leading to different types of quick hitches being used on the same machine. To address this problem Mentor only use instructors that are occupationally competent with many years of experience, along with a very experienced safety and logistical team at head office to ensure that not only the training is given to the appropriate standard set by the awarding body but also that any unusual circumstances can be catered for under any conditions without being detrimental to the standards. 

The same service is given to all Mentors courses from Forklift to Crane Operations Banksman to Manual Handling and Access Platforms to Excavators, being conducted by 140 instructors nationwide, both at customers premises or at their various purpose built training centres offering operator and instructor training to the high standards that Mentor have become renowned for.

For further information or to arrange a course call 01246 555222