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Unsafe Quick Couplers Linked to Accidents

Unsafe Quick Couplers Linked to Accidents. Since 1/98, there have been 16 incidents investigated by OSHA in which workers were struck by excavator buckets that were unintentionally released from their quick coupling devices; 9 of these were fatal.

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Unsafe Quick Couplers Linked to Accidents

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  1. Unsafe Quick Couplers Linked to Accidents Since 1/98, there have been 16 incidents investigated by OSHA in which workers were struck by excavator buckets that were unintentionally released from their quick coupling devices; 9 of these were fatal. Note: Related bucket accidents investigated by Madison, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Columbus Area Offices

  2. Unsafe Quick Couplers Linked to Accidents Purpose of SHIB: Alert employers & employees that excavator attachments may release inadvertently from quick coupling devices if positive corrective actions are not taken.

  3. What Are Quick Couplers and Why are They Popular? • After market devices that enable contractors to make quick attachment changes on hydraulic excavators • With bucket removed the lifting capacity of the machine is increased • Contractors are able to do the majority of their work with a large bucket then switch to a smaller bucket for fine-tuning and tight areas • Quick couplers allow the operator to change from using a bucket to a ram attachment and back to a bucket easily

  4. Why do the Buckets Release? Quick coupler is not fully engaged & locked Bucket pin may not be sized properly Quick coupler springs have loosen or lost adequate tension to hold the bucket Quick couplers not maintained properly

  5. What to Do: • Make sure that couplers have a manual locking pin installed and used! • The pin insures that the bucket will not fall off if the coupler fails (e.g., springs loosen; etc.) • Coupler Manufacturers JRB and Hendrix have recently made retrofit kits with manual locking pins available for use on their equipment • Couplers from manufacturers Craig & Esco are already equipped with the manual locking pins; new JRB & Hendrix couplers will be too; do not yet know about Caterpillar…

  6. Inspection Procedures: • Do you use quick couplers? If so, who are they made by? • Inform them of the SHIB and NIOSH Alert • Are they equipped with a manual locking pin? If so, who installs the pin? Operator can not install the pin from the cab; it needs to be manually inserted • Are your workers familiar with these specific quick couplers? (Hendrix couplers are very different from JRBs) • Ask to see the pin and check machine for warning labels • If the quick couplers are not equipped with or using the manual locking pin a §5(a)(1) citation is to be issued

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