Updated Suction and Vacuum Excavator Safe Use Guidance now Available

The Suction and Vacuum Excavator Special Interest Group (SAVE), managed by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) have recently updated their Good Practice Guide for the Safe Use of Suction and Vacuum Excavators. The publication was originally developed and published in 2018 following a number of incidents, including one which sadly resulted in a fatality of the operator. The unfortunate incident galvanised the suction/vacuum excavator sector at the time to come together and form a Special Interest Group to create and apply common operational standards.

One of the first actions for the Members of SAVE was the production of the safe use guidance which was, and remains, necessary to define safe systems of work to ensure the solid foundations required for safe and successful operations. The guidance should be used as a key reference document to ensure the safe use of suction/vacuum excavators and provides the advice necessary to ensure that the operations involving these specialist machine types are carried out safely and efficiently.

A revision of the publication was undertaken during 2024, with revisions on the use and control of supporting personnel, updates to road transport requirements, cleaning of hoppers and issues on the use of ground-engaging tools. However it remains testament to the original publication in that limited updates were needed for the content to remain current and valid.

Declan Burke, Chair of the SAVE group commented “The original publication, the first of its type, made a big difference in the way that suction and vacuum excavators were procured and used and has stood the test of time. As with all operational practices, we needed to ensure it remained fit-for-purpose and I, and the members of the group, urge those who own, hire or specify the use of a suction/vacuum excavators to read and implement the recommendations and good practices contained within the revised publication”.

The SAVE group’s next action is to hold an Open Day for industry in late Spring/early Summer to publicise the revised guidance as well as showcasing new developments and safe practices. An announcement will be made to sector users in due course on the proposed date and location.

The revised good practice guide can be downloaded free of charge from the publications webpage at https://www.cpa.uk.net/safety-and-technical-publications/suction-vacuum-excavator-guidance