Compact Excavator Operator Safety Training Program

Participants in this program will learn the safe practices of operating a Compact Excavator. They will recognize and evaluate the hazards associated with Compact Excavators and understand the methods of operating them safely.

This program is divided into a theory portion and practical portion.

Theory Program

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act and the applicable regulations
• Components of a Compact Excavator and their function
• Operating Controls – their use and function
• Safety features and their importance
• Controlling the Working Zone
• Safe Entry and Exit
• Going up and down grades
• How to change attachments safely
• Weight distribution and compact excavator steering and stability
• Utilities overhead and underground
• Safe manoeuvring, travelling and working with an attachment
• Basics of Trenching and shoring – what the law requires
• Pre-use inspections

Each participant will be expected to write a test on the theory portion of the program, which is three hours in length.

Practical Program

There is also a practical portion of this program. Participants will be divided into groups of 4-5. Each group will spend two hours with an instructor applying the theory knowledge to a practical application. Included in this portion is:

• Review of components
• Pre-use inspection
• Maintenance checks
• Driving evaluation
• Proper method of removing, attaching and using attachments
• Refuelling
• Safe parking, starting and stopping