The excavator’s capacity and the factors that could reduce its capacity are unknown.

• Review all manufacturer-provided load capacity specifications in the operating manual.
• Determine the weight, dimensions, and characteristics of the excavator, attachments, and the load.
• Determine the height and radius of the lift.
• Make sure all load attachment points are certified and rated for the attached load and rigging.
• Ensure the operator determines the materials or equipment they will lift and calculates the gross weight of the load, including rigging. See pages 17 and 18 of IHSA’s Hoisting and Rigging Safety Manual (M035) for more information.
• Use a hanging scale, if available, to verify calculations as a best practice.

The excavator overturns due to the rotation of the turn table and its reduced capacity.

• Determine the height and radius of the lift.
• Review the manufacturer’s manual to determine the tipping stability and the quadrants of the excavator’s swing radius.
• Understand the capacity difference of the excavator in front and over the side of its tracks.

A pendulum effect influences the load during movement, which allows the load to move further away from the excavator. This effect causes instability and makes it possible to exceed the Working Load Limit (WLL) of the load chart.

• Make slow and deliberate movements with the excavator.
• Refer to the load chart(s).
• Review the manufacturer’s instructions for pick-and-carry operations.
• Check ground conditions to make sure the machine is on firm, level ground.

The additional weight of attachments and extensions reduces the WLL.

• Ensure load charts that include the specifications of various attachments and extensions are available.
• Ensure any extension or modification you use does not reduce the equipment’s safety factor.

There are soft or uneven ground conditions around the excavator.

• Assess, review, select, and prepare the work area adequately prior to lifting.
• Remember that excavator hoisting capacities are typically based on having a firm, level surface and the load charts do not apply if the machine is not level. Consult the manufacturer’s specifications to determine the conditions required for the load charts to be accurate.

The excavator is located near a suspended slab or underground structures and voids.

• Assess, review, and avoid these work areas unless a professional engineer gives approval.

The excavator, including hydraulic and other critical components, is damaged by overloading.

• Complete calculations and consult the manufacturer’s operating manual prior to lifting.
• Maintain equipment in a condition that does not endanger workers.
• Use the equipment as required by the manufacturer’s operating manual.

The components are in poor condition.

• Complete a pre-use inspection of the machine and rigging equipment.
• Make sure there are legible WLL tags on the rigging equipment.
• Use rigging equipment as required by the manufacturer’s operating manuals.

The rigging components are overloaded.

• Determine the weight, dimensions, and characteristics of the load.
• Determine the rigging configuration.

The capacity of the rigging components is unknown.

• Use only certified and rated attachment points when connecting loads to an excavator.
• Review the details provided on the markings/labels.

Components were incorrectly installed or are incompatible with the excavator, resulting in sharp edges and extreme angles on the rigging capacity and configuration.

• Consider the following elements when you select rigging components: length of rigging material, type of material (i.e., strap, wire rope, chain, etc.), shackles/ hooks, and basket or choke.
• Use softeners.
• Use spreaders to control extreme angles.

The rigging is damaged during the work process by the acts of welding, torching, and stretching or by the impact of chemicals and environmental factors.

• Select a robust material for the work activity: Use a chain or wire rope for processes that involve heat or chemicals.
• Use nylon straps to reduce the weight of the material.
• Remove any defective rigging from service and notify your immediate supervisor.

The rigging uses the wrong connection points on the excavator (i.e., the straps are over the bucket tooth).

• Use the manufacturer’s lifting and connection points on the equipment. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow their specifications.
• Be aware that you may need to remove or convert the existing attachments prior to lifting.
• Use equipment as required by the manufacturer’s operating manual.

The excavator or the load strikes or crushes a worker.

• Keep workers out of the operating radius and direct path of the load or the boom.
• Use barriers, signallers, signage, alarms, supervision, or any other measures to control the lifting area.
• Ensure that both the signaller and operator know and understand the signals in advance of the lift.
• Remind workers using tag lines, riggers, and signallers to avoid the path of the load and the failure radius of the boom.
• Coordinate and inform other workers near the lifting area about the activity and potential hazards.

The motion or rotation of the load is uncontrolled.

• Use guide ropes and tag lines to control the motion or rotation of the load.

There are severe weather and high wind conditions.

• Do not perform the lifting operation. Postpone it until conditions improve.
• Follow the manufacturer’s specifications for weather conditions.

The operator and rigger are not competent.

• Make sure the operator and rigger are familiar with the equipment, the manufacturer’s instructions, and the applicable legislation.
• Make sure the operator and rigger understand the hazards related to the work and can identify them.
• Supervise and organize the work.
• Practise how to perform a lift and assemble rigging.
• Provide training and assess skills.
• Remember that workers must not operate equipment at a project unless they are competent to do so. However, a worker who is being trained in the operation of equipment may operate it while being instructed and supervised by a competent person.

There are hazards in the work area (e.g., overhead utilities, such as energized electrical utilities, equipment and vehicles, structures, pedestrians, etc.).

• Remind workers about the limits of approach for energized electrical conductors.
• Use signallers.
• Use hand signals and two-way radio for communication.
• Protect the public way.
• Overlap procedures.
• Review the traffic plan and other jobsite flow considerations.
• Use signage.
• Set up physical barriers and delineators.

There are environmental hazards (e.g., ice, sun, lightning, extreme cold, etc.).

• Store material in a clean, dry location. Monitor weather conditions and postpone work as needed.
• Check that material is not frozen to the ground.
• Complete pre-use inspections.

Lifting operations are complex.

• Prepare a written lift plan.
• Assess field-level hazards and have a pre-lift meeting.
• Be aware of the equipment’s limitations and use the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating manual.