<< Back to Safety and Health Information Bulletins - Table of Contents by Year
Safety and Health Information Bulletin
SHIB 07-22-2005
Preface Following a fatal accident caused by the unexpected release of an excavator bucket from a quick coupling device on a hydraulic excavator, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reviewed its Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) accident data. The accident data revealed 15 incidents since January 1998 involving the unanticipated release of excavator buckets from quick couplers on hydraulic excavators. Eight workers died in these incidents. OSHA urges employers using quick couplers to inspect their quick couplers and take appropriate measures to prevent unintended bucket releases, which can result in death or serious injuries. Purpose The purpose of this Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) is to:
The OSHA Madison, Wisconsin Area Office investigated a fatal accident where an excavator bucket was released unexpectedly from a quick coupler. OSHA’s statistical database revealed fourteen additional incidents within the last six years involving the use of this type of equipment where excavator buckets unexpectedly released from quick couplers. Of the fifteen accidents reported by Federal and state OSHA offices, eight resulted in employee fatalities. Accident Description The accident prompting this Safety and Health Information Bulletin occurred at a site where a contractor was installing water mains and laterals. An excavation for a lateral had just been dug and an employee entered that lateral to prepare to install the pipe. The excavator operator changed buckets using a quick coupler on the hydraulic excavator. When the excavator was swung to continue digging on the main line, the bucket became detached from the quick coupler and rolled/slid into the lateral excavation, striking the employee and killing him. The investigation revealed that a locking pin had not been manually installed on this coupler to prevent accidental release of this attachment. Quick Couplers Most quick couplers are after-market devices that have been used on hydraulic excavators for several years and have steadily increased in popularity. They enable contractors to quickly make attachment changes on hydraulic excavators. Most quick couplers have a lifting eye to use for lifting material. (Figure 1). ![]() Figure 1 By removing the bucket (Figure 2), the lifting capacity of the excavator is increased by the weight of the bucket. Additionally, removal of the bucket improves the excavator operator’s line of vision during lifting. ![]() Figure 2 Many contractors like to use a large bucket to do the bulk of the digging and to then change to a smaller bucket for fine tuning and working in tight areas. The quick couplers also allow the operator to change from a bucket attachment to various other attachments. In most cases, the unexpected releases of buckets and other attachments are likely caused by the failure to properly engage and lock the quick couplers. (Figures 3 & 4). ![]() Figure 3 ![]() Figure 4 Other Information Quick couplers are made by various manufacturers. Manufacturers of quick couplers have recognized the hazard of the bucket or other attachments being unexpectedly released from the quick couplers and, in many cases, have provided users with a retrofit locking pin (Figures 5 & 6) which is manually inserted behind the front lever (stick pin) or rear lever (link pin) of the couplers to prevent unintended releases. ![]() Figure 5 ![]() Figure 6 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also has studied the hazards associated with hydraulic excavators and has issued DHHS Publication No. 2004-107 entitled, "Preventing Injuries When Working with Hydraulic Excavators and Backhoe Loaders". This publication addresses the hazard of excavator buckets being unintentionally detached from a quick disconnect mechanism. Conclusions Based upon experience, many manufacturers have retrofitted existing quick couplers, designed new and improved quick coupler systems, and developed safe use and operating procedures. Overall, these corrective actions have significantly decreased the probability of a bucket or other attachment being unintentionally released from a quick coupler. However, unintended releases of buckets and other attachments from quick couplers continue as evidenced by the fatal accident in Madison, Wisconsin and the IMIS accident data. Unintended releases appear to continue because: not all employers/ contractors who use quick couplers are aware of the hazard and of the manufacturers’ corrective actions; some users fail to retrofit the quick coupler with locking pins; and/or some users have insufficient training on installation and testing procedures associated with the use of such couplers. Given the number of manufacturers and the diversity of quick coupling devices, employers using quick couplers should contact the manufacturer if they have questions regarding the reliability of the quick coupling devices, or to determine whether additional steps or modifications are recommended in order for employees to safely use a particular quick coupling device. Safety Measures to Prevent Accidents Employers using hydraulic excavators with quick coupling devices can protect employees from the unintended release of attachments by:
|