Excavator slides away and overturns

Scottish Woodlands Health & Safety Bulletin

A 13-tonne excavator was undertaking mounding on a new planting site. As it was tracking up a slope between compartments, the vegetation beneath the machine gave way, the machine slid down the slope, until the tracks caught on a rock, overturning it, it then slid further down the slope on its side, before coming to rest at the bottom of the slope. No one was hurt.
The machine suffered minor damage to it side panels and its ‘work at height’ protection guard rails. A small amount of fuel leaked out through the breather hole while the machine was on its side. This was contained by oil absorbent mats. No site pollution occurred.

The FISA Guide 705 Steep slope working in forestry in Planning and organisation sets out the following standard - “It is the ultimate responsibility of the FWM to decide how the forest operation will be carried out on site. Managers, contractor’s and operators must meet before works starts to discuss the limits of any machine used during the operation”.

Read the full bulletin for more on steep slope working.