Safe Use of Suction/Vacuum Excavators

This Good Practice Guide for the Safe Use of Suction/Vacuum Excavators, produced by the Suction and Vacuum Excavator Special Interest Group, aims to educate owners, operators, hirers, contractors, clients, trainers and maintenance staff on the nature, operational practices and safe working requirements of these types, and emphasises the wide-ranging operational aspects of these machines.

The publication provides specific recommendations around lone working, the use of a second operator and other supporting staff, and information relating to contaminated ground containing radioactive wastes. Other additions to the guidance include clean-up procedures that should be followed when hazardous materials – particularly asbestos-based materials - are drawn into a machine. Additional annex sections relay additional information on items such as daily and weekly checks; procedures for working at height and the transporting of wastes. 

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. The 2025 revised publication can be downloaded below.