Suction and Vacuum Excavator Interest Group.

This interest group was formed in February 2016 as suction/vacuum excavators have become prolific items of plant in recent years and particularly suited to carry out excavations around buried services and other sensitive areas where a hand dig-only requirement exists. Hirers and contractors have invested in these specialised machines but as with all plant, requires a trained and competent operator to safely and effectively carry out the work, and for an effective safety management system to be in place.

Following a tragic accident which resulted in the death of the operator of a truck-mounted unit, this galvanised the industry into seeking safe practices and the management of suction and vacuum excavator operations. In order to prevent such an event occurring again, a number of voluntary meetings of contractors and hirers were subsequently held from which an agreement was made to form a Special Interest Group and includes owners, hirers, manufacturers, clients and health & safety professionals. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also acts in an advisory role for legislative and regulatory-related requirements.

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.