How should you safely mount or dismount an excavator?

Mounting or dismounting an excavator safely is crucial for preventing falls and injuries, and the best practice involves facing the machine, utilizing handrails, and maintaining three points of contact at all times. This technique ensures stability, as having three points of contact—two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand—provides maximum support while you navigate the transition in or out of the cab.

Facing the machine allows you to keep your eye on where you are stepping and position your body safely away from potential hazards. Handrails offer additional stability and leverage, which contribute to safe entry and exit. This practice minimizes the risk of slipping and falling, which is particularly important given the height and configurations of excavators.

Other methods, like climbing onto tracks or using the back ladder, may not provide the same level of security or may introduce different dangers. For instance, jumping into the cab can lead to loss of balance or control, while merely climbing onto the tracks could pose a risk of slipping and falling.