For demolition machines of 15 metres working height … demolition machines of 15 metres ... multi-boom or telescopic boom that ... Rig Guidance Notes For demolition machines of 15

High ReachDemolitionRigGuidanceNotesFor demolitionmachines of 15 metresworking heightand above

National Federation of Demolition ContractorsThe voice of the UK Demolition Industry

New Hi Reach brochure:nfdc 27/01/2012 09:47 Page 1

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC)is represented on the British Standards sub committeewhich prepares the code of practice for demolition(BS6187) and is, along with the Institute of DemolitionEngineers (IDE), the voice of the UK demolition industry.

Founded in 1941 to help spearhead London’s post-Blitzclean-up campaign, the NFDC’s members are responsiblefor more than 90% of all demolition that takes place inthe UK.

Today, the NFDC is committed to establishing safeworking practices for its members and to represent theirinterests in areas such as training, safety, theenvironment, waste management, industry guidance,legislative changes and codes of practice.

However, in researching and preparing the informationcontained within this document the NFDC cannot be heldresponsible for its subsequent use, nor for any errors oromissions it may contain.

Details of NFDC publications are available atwww.demolition-nfdc.com or via:

National Federation of Demolition ContractorsParadiseHemel HempsteadHertfordshireHP2 4TFTel: 01442 217144Fax: 01442 218268www.demolition-nfdc.com

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High Reach 2 · Feburaury 2012


Contents 3


Introduction 4

1 General1.1 Scope of Guidance 5

1.2 Objectives of guidance 6

1.3 Responsibilities 7

1.4 Safety legislation 7

1.5 Management procedures 10

2 Equipment and Operator2.1 Equipment Requirements 11

2.2 Operator Requirements 16

3 Site Conditions3.1 Site investigation 29

3.2 Site preparation 21

4 At Work4.1 Setting up safely 23

4.2 Working safely 24

4.3 Shutting down 25

4.4 Transport to & from site 26


NFDC WORKING GROUP:

Paul Brown, Tilley & Barrett LtdHoward Button, NFDCTerry Quarmby, Dorton GroupMark Anthony, Demolition Publications

SPONSORS & FUNDERS:

The National Federation of Demolition Contractorswould like to thank the following organisations fortheir help in producing this document:

CaterpillarCITB ConstructionSkillsHM Plant/HitachiJCBKocurek ExcavatorsKomatsuLiebherrMolson-HyundaiRuschSandvikVolvo Construction Equipment


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Introduction 4

In recent years the size and reach capabilities of high andultra high reach demolition machines, along with theirdeployment, has increased dramatically. In recognition of thisthe NFDC has produced this guide to ensure best practice inthe use of high and ultra high reach excavators and toimprove user and procurer awareness.

In using this guide, it should be recognised that thesemachines can be subject to complex loading and variable siteconditions. Although this guide is not intended to replace theimportant information within the owner and operator manualssupplied by the manufacturer it is designed to promote theimplementation of minimum design mechanisms for the safeuse, installation, maintenance and repair standards necessaryto ensure safe operation.

This guide has been prepared by an NFDC working partyworking under the direction of the NFDC President.


1 General 5

1.1 Scope of Guidance

Definitions

Nature, applicability and status of guidance

Limitations of good practice guidance

The scope of this guidance is to define the roles,safe working practices and acceptable levels ofcontrol needed to use a high or ultra high-reachmachine in a demolition environment.

For the purposes of this guidance, a high or ultrahigh reach demolition machine is defined as a360° bespoke excavator base equipped with apurpose-built, multi-boom or telescopic boom thathas a working height of 15 metres or more. Mostmulti-boom or telescopic boom machines arecapable of safe operation without the use ofstabilising outriggers, although these may be fitteddependant on the manufacturer’s specification.

This type of equipment is typically mounted on atracked machine base that has undergonemodifications including strengthening, wideningand lengthening to allow it to work in a safemanner when the front end equipment is fullyextended.


These machines must be fitted with a FallingObject Protective Structure (FOPS) and a FallingObject Guard Screen (FOGS) cab to conform toBS EN ISO 3449 & ISO 10262 to protect theoperator. In many instances, the machines mayalso be equipped with additional protectiveequipment including laminated glass.

High and ultra high-reach machines are notdesigned as cranes and should not be used to carryout any form of lifting duties. Care should beexercised, when cutting into structures, againstretracting the arm with materials lodged in thejaws of the attachment. Pushing against a structurewith the attachment should never be attempted.

A detailed method statement and task specific riskassessments should be produced for all workinvolving high or ultra high-reach machines.


1 General 6

1.2 Objectives of the guidance

Principal objective is to promote safety

The principal objective of this guide is to ensureoptimum site safety during the deployment and useof a high or ultra high-reach demolition machineon a top-down demolition and dismantling project.

Whilst the primary objective of the guide is safety,a secondary objective is that this should beachieved without unnecessary, excessive orprohibitive expenditure. This is certainly not aminor issue since the hire, purchase, transportationand use of a high or ultra high-reach demolitionmachine is often a significant proportion of thetotal cost of the demolition process. In addition,the use of a high or ultra high-reach machine canmake a significant contribution to demolition sitesafety by eliminating the necessity for manualoperations or work at height.


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It is anticipated that this guidance will form thebasis of further discussions between allstakeholders involved in the specification ofworking practices, not only for the use andmonitoring of safe working practices but inaddition, the manufacture and supply of suchequipment.


1 General 7

1.3 Responsibilities

Stakeholders involved in the specification, installation and use of a high or ultra high-reach machine

Responsibilities to be defined

Use of appropriately trained, and qualified personnel

A number of stakeholders will be involved in thespecification, selection, supply, use andmaintenance of a high or ultra high-reachdemolition machine. Amongst those with specificduties within the workplace Acts and Regulationsare the client, the principal contractor, the machinehirer or manufacturer, and the demolitioncontractor.

This guidance has been prepared to assistspecifiers and principal contractors in selectingand imposing safe working methods and toprovide them with an understanding of the manyvariables faced when using these specialisedmachines.

Contractual and operational arrangements shouldensure that the equipment is adequately operated,inspected, maintained and as necessary, repairedduring its time on site.

The respective roles of the various parties shouldbe clearly understood and the responsibilities andliabilities of all stakeholders should be defined andrecorded in the relevant site specificdocumentation. This guide does not extend oraffect any such responsibilities and or liabilities.

1.4 Safety legislation

CDM Regulations

PUWER Regulations

Current British Standards

Health and Safety Procedures

The Workplace Acts and Regulations, particularlythe Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974,current British Standards and codes of practice,apply to all aspects of construction and demolitionworks. The Construction (Design andManagement) Regulations are aimed at improvingthe management of health and safety throughoutconstruction and demolition projects and placeduties upon clients, CDM co-ordinators, designersand contractors.

There is a statutory requirement under the CDMregulations, in all work places, for riskassessments to be carried out. These riskassessments should be read and understood by allpersons who are required to carry out work on site.Risk assessment should identify the presence ofany significant hazard, i.e. overhead hazards suchas power lines, the presence of asbestos and theclose proximity of other structures within theoperational envelope of the machine.

The risk assessment process will also determinewhether a fully-enclosed scaffold will be requiredto a section of the building – i.e. the façade – orthe extent to which exclusion zones should beestablished.

Under CDM the client is required to makeavailable all information on ground conditions(normally a desktop survey is carried out). Theoperator of the machine must ascertain that anysuch information is suitable and adequate prior toaccess and maneuver on site. Where necessary,further surveys should be carried out. Key items tobe covered, in any survey of ground conditions,will include soil condition beneath existing slabs;sewers; basements; cellars; service runs, air raidshelters; culverts; wells; underground tunnels;historical voids; “made-up” ground, and even thepossibility of unexploded bombs.



1 General 8

The planning and preparation stage should alsodetermine factors such as how the structure hasbeen constructed, i.e. steel or concrete frame,timber or concrete floors, the system of claddingused and the possible presence of post tensionedconcrete elements.

At the planning stage, the height of the structure tobe demolished will determine the type of machineto be employed and its maximum safe workingenvelope. Consideration will need to be given as towhether ramps or raised working platforms will berequired.

Safe working height.

Although manufactures state a machine heightwithin their sales brochures, this is not necessarilythe safe working height (ratio 2-1) and contractorsshould always calculate (with schematic drawings)if a machine is suitable in size and working height.


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Exclusion Zones

Safe working spaces and exclusion zones shouldbe in place within and around the site. The extentof the exclusion zone should be varied accordingto the type of demolition activity and the rate ofprogress (refer to BS6187 for a detaileddescription)

Exclusion zones should be part of an overallmanaged health and safety regime and should beincluded in all method statements and riskassessments. The use of plant and machinery suchas high reach and ultra high reach demolitionmachines should be planned so that their operationdoes not present a risk to those nearby. It may benecessary for a competent banksman to enter theexclusion zone to assist the high reach operator asdetailed within section 4.2. Entry within theexclusion zone, under these circumstances, will bewith the full knowledge of the machine operatorand site supervisor. The machine operator shall


1 General 9


Protective systems

The need for protective, environmental and debrisenclosures should be assessed. These could takemany forms and may include reinforced plasticsheeting, debris netting or even temporarystructures. Further examples include but are notlimited to:

Scaffold

Scaffold screen

Crane hung screens

Container bunding

signal his intent to stop work and make themachine safe prior to such access arrangement.

Exclusion zones should be designed with a numberof constituents in place, i.e. the structures heightand construction, the surrounding topography andenvironment, the predicted debris area and thepotential for ‘fly’ material etc. On constricted sitescontainment measures, such as barriers,scaffolding, bunds and pits etc, may beincorporated to enable the predicted debris areasize to be reduced.


1 General 10

1.5 Management procedures

Operating requirements

Confirmation of machine specification

Insurance

When setting up for work it is important toconsider the predicted debris area, particularlywhen applying a sloping face on the buildingbeing taken down. Rubble running freely down aslope off the face of the building is likely toencroach within the footprint of the machine if themachine is positioned too close to the structure. Itis recommended that for all high reach and or ultrahigh reach demolition machines, up to a height of40 metres, the working radius of the machineshould be a ratio of 2:1, i.e. if the working heightis 40 metres, the base of the machine should be atleast 20 metres away from the face of thestructure.

2 to 1 ratio is measured from front of cab at lowerlevel (at fixed, un-raised cab position).

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However, for all ultra high reach machines over 40metres reach, and due to the parabolic trajectory offalling materials, a reduction to the establishedratio of 2:1 can be applied. For every metre over40m height, 0.25m should be added (rather than.5m) to the distance that the machine stands off theface of the structure, i.e. at 50m height the base ofthe machine should be 22.5m from the face of thestructure. (50m height = 10 x 0.25 + 20 =22.5m)refer to attached drawing

It is necessary to confirm that insurance cover isinclusive and that it extends to the height at whichwork will be conducted, taking into account anyraised platforms as well as the working height ofthe machine.


2.1 Equipment Requirements

Safety equipment

Visibility

Boom angle indicator

The machines described within this guidanceshould feature a wide array of equipment to protectthe machine operator, his fellow workers, and thegeneral public.

All high or ultra high-reach machines must befitted with a FOPS and FOGS protective cab thatwill generally feature strengthened, impact-resistant glass. To ensure that the operator is fullyprotected during reduction operations, it isrecommended that the cab door is kept closed.

All high and ultra-high reach demolition machinesshould have good all-round visibility through thecab windows. Windows that are cracked ordamaged will impair operator visibility and are ahazard which should be replaced immediately.


2 Equipment and Operator 11

All round visibility is a legal requirement thatdemands the operator be able to see a minimum of1m out by 1m above ground around the fullcircumference of his machine. This is generallyaccomplished by fitting a rear or side camera andmirrors mounted on the cab and machine upper-structure. Mirrors that are cracked, damaged ormissing and therefore will impair operatorvisibility, are to be replaced immediately.

In some ultra high-reach machines operatorvisibility may be enhanced by the use of a CCTVsystem. The camera is generally mounted on thearm close to the attachment and in conjunctionwith the side and rear cameras, can be viewed viaa monitor in the operator’s cab. Such systemsshould be tested as part of the machine’s dailymaintenance routine.

Working envelope/range monitor or indicator

Attachments

Maintenance

CE Marking




All machines should be fitted with a boom angleindicator (boom position alarm) that provides avisible and/or audible indication that the boom isin a safe working position.

The operator must ensure that the machine remainswithin the prescribed safe working radius at alltimes.

Every high or ultra high-reach demolition machinewill utilise a variety of attachments to performbreaking, cutting, crushing and pulverising duties.These will include:

Combi-cutter crusher

Steel Shear

Selecta grab

Hydraulic Pulverisers

Hydraulic Hammers (subject to consultation with the machine and tool manufacturer),

It is important that the right tool is used for thework in hand as detailed within the site safety planand method statement.

All attachments must be maintained and regularlyinspected, excessive tool wear will lead tounnecessary strain being placed on the machine.Particular attention should be paid to the hydraulichoses feeding the attachment to ensure they aretight; undamaged; and not rubbing or fouling.

Dust suppression sprays should also be checkeddaily to ensure they are fully operational.

Attachments that place undue strain and exceedthe safe working load of the machine should neverbe used. If the high or ultra high-reach demolitionmachine is equipped with a quick-change device,the weight of the device and carrying cradle mustalso be taken into account.

The safe working load of the machine should beclearly displayed within the operator’s cab. If thisinformation becomes lost or illegible, it is to bereplaced immediately. All attachments and quick-change devices should be clearly marked withtheir gross weight. If this information becomes lostthrough wear or damage to the attachment, it is tobe replaced immediately.

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It is a legal requirement that a competent personcarry out a weekly inspection of the machine andits attachments. However, good practice andcommon sense call for daily inspections of themachine and its attachments. This should involve avisual inspection before the start of each workingshift with checks that include: all pin cross boltsand the safety locking plates on the lock pins;hydraulic hoses and cylinders; debris in pivotareas; attachment linkage; boom position alarm;pivot points and cylinder locating points. Signs ofwear or damage that could impair the safe working

condition of the machine or the attachment shouldbe recorded and the fault corrected or repaired.

Operation, maintenance and repair of the machineshould be conducted in strict accordance with therequirements stipulated in the owner and operatormanual provided by the machine’s manufacturer.All other daily and regular maintenance checks tobe carried out in accordance with manufacturer’sinstructions.





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2.2 Operator Requirements

Training standards to CPCS and NDTG competency levels

Safety summary

All machine operators should have access to thesite specific method statement, risk assessments,job specification, ground conditions survey andany other relevant information necessary for themto operate the machine in a safe and efficientmanner.

Operators should operate all controls in a smooth,steady manner and avoid any sharp or suddenmovements that might affect the safe operation andstability of the machine. The machine should beoperated in line with the tracks and over the frontidlers (drive sprockets to the rear) for maximumstability, allowing the machine to be reversedquickly and safely in the event that falling debrismay strike the machine.


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Operators should ensure that they do not operatethe attachment in line with the boom as loosedebris may roll down the boom and onto the cab ofthe machine. Good practice will dictate that theoperator should be able to see the jaws of theattachment and to accomplish this, the attachmentshould be angled downwards when cutting orshearing.

Operators should never allow the workingattachment to become entangled in debris thatcould lead to an overload or loss of stability.

It is recommended that operators of high and ultrahigh-reach excavators receive regular (annual) eyetests to ensure good vision.


High and ultra high-reach machines should beoperated in strict accordance with themanufacturer’s recommendations and inaccordance with the following key guidance:


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ALWAYS seek further training in machine operation if necessary.

ALWAYS plan your work programme with sitemanagement.

ALWAYS check the ground conditions before operating

ALWAYS remove boom extension whenever possible.




NEVER cause any side load to the machine.

NEVER overload the machine.

NEVER strike the work with the attachment.

NEVER assist the machine to turn by lifting the tracks with the equipment.

NEVER crane or pull with the machine.

NEVER move about the site with the equipment fully raised.

NEVER approach a high voltage wire

NEVER undercut the building as debris may roll back onto the machine.

ALWAYS report safety issues to site management.

ALWAYS operate the attachment in the manner it was designed to function. Never useit to push or pull against a structure.

Always ensure that machines with retractable undercarriage that it is set and locked in the fully extended position whilst working.


3 Site Conditions 20

3.1 Site investigationImportance of site appraisal

Ground investigation/survey

Investigation of building/structure tobe demolished

Risk assessment of ground conditions and working environment

In addition to any desk top survey conducted forground conditions it is important that a thoroughappraisal of the entire site, prior to thecommencement of work, is carried out by themachine operator and site manager. An inspectionof the site should identify the location of any weak

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and variable areas, the presence of overheadhazards, and details of the type ofbuilding/structure to be demolished. Whereoverhead power lines are noted, the electricitysupply company should be contacted to determinethe safe working parameters and the placing of anywarning markers, i.e. ‘goal posts’, prior to workingclose to overhead power lines:


Appropriate and sufficient ground investigation, inthe selection of a suitable area to operate themachine, is vital to ensure that the provision of anadequate and safe working surface is constructed.Localised weaker zones in the sub-grade, includinginadequately backfilled and compactedexcavations, existing or abandoned services andhard spots, such as old basement walls, can be justas hazardous as weak zones.

It is particularly important that any sub-structures(below ground) in an around the building/structureare identified and are documented within a riskassessment and safety plan, as these could have thepotential to collapse beneath the machine causingit to overturn. This last point is especiallyimportant when working in towns and city’sknown to contain underground tunnels.



3.2 Site preparation

Excavation of weaker zones, old foundations and services

Backfilling of voids

Deterioration of sub-grade

Inspection of sub-grade before placement of platform

Works to prepare a site for the placement of heavymachines may necessitate the excavation of weakzones, old foundations and abandoned services.Such excavations should be backfilled withsuitable material that has been adequatelycompacted. Whilst it may be sufficient to excavatelocalised small areas of weak ground, larger areaswill require more detailed consideration. Suchproblems could include the presence ofinadequately backfilled trenches or service tunnels.It may be necessary to zone the site in terms ofbearing resistance or to specify a minimumdistance from a pit or trench at which the machinecan be used safely.

Natural or man-made voids such as cavities inweak rock, shafts, wells, tunnels, culverts andbasements, also require special consideration.

Measures such as backfilling may be required.Where this is not practicable or possible, voidsshould be clearly marked and isolated from siteactivity by barriers or other means which shouldbe carefully maintained throughout the course ofthe works. Voids or weak spots can be concealedbeneath surface crusts or paved areas.

Deterioration of the sub-grade should be preventedby ensuring adequate drainage is installed or byminimising exposure to wet and frosty weather.Erosion or deterioration caused by water from dustsuppression systems should also be taken intoaccount. Where deterioration does occur, theaffected material should be removed and replacedwith suitably compacted materials beforeplacement of the platform.

Inspection and recording of the sub-grade by acompetent person immediately before placing theplatform is essential.



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4 At Work 23

4.1 Setting up safely

Protecting personnel and the public

Placing/aligning the machine

Creating a raised platform

A safe working place and an exclusion zone for operationof the high reach machine must always be in place andmaintained at all times. Non- essential personnel andmembers of the public should be excluded from the area.

In instances when the working height of the machine isnot sufficient to reach the top of the structure to bedemolished, it may be necessary to create a raisedworking platform upon which to station the machine.This platform must be level, flat, and without gradientsand be constructed from suitable, well-compacted harddebris.

The overall size and height of the raised platform willtypically be dictated by the working requirements of thespecific application.

The design of a working platform must be suitable andsufficient for the machine that is to be used all designwork and back up calculation must be carried out by acompetent person. The designer should have full accessto any pre- determined ground condition survey, siteinspection records and details/specification of the fillmaterial to be used.

It is important to note that the majority of accidentsinvolving high or ultra high reach excavators can beattributed directly to inadequate ground conditions, poorlydesigned and/or constructed working platforms.

The working platform should be constructed usingmaterial with a maximum particle size of 150 mmcontaining sufficient smaller particles to allow goodcompaction levels to be attained in accordance with thedesign specification Hardcore, crushed concrete,compacted demolition rubble, crushed aggregate,masonry, chalk or fully compacted earth are allconsidered suitable materials. An allowance should bemade for the deadweight of the machine and any pointloading that may occur.

An access ramp to the working platform should beconstructed of similar compacted materials with arecommended gradient of 10 degrees as determined

within a risk assessment

The working platform must be inspected on a daily basisfor signs of erosion or degradation caused by weatherconditions, water run-off (including that from watersuppression systems) and general wear.

Access to the working platform should be with the boomin the lowered or retracted position, the machine boomshould be floated to maintain the correct position whilstaccessing and egressing the ramp. However, in someinstances it may be necessary to raise the boom to a semi-vertical position as the machine approaches the buildingface. Egress from the work platform should be in reverse,with the boom lowered towards the face of the building.Prior to reversing, the operator should ensure that the exitroute is completely clear and that the site supervisor isaware of the machine route to maintain the exclusionzone.

When operating from a working platform, it is goodpractice to maintain a sufficiently large debris pit betweenthe platform and face of the building/structure to allowdebris to fall without encroaching towards the track frameof the machine. It is advisable to have a conventionallyrigged demolition machine, working in support of thehigh reach machine, to enable debris to be cleared fromthe pit and the platform top.

The machine should never be put to work whilstpositioned on a slope. A few degrees out of plane willsignificantly shift the central axis of the machine creatingstresses in the boom and base section which in turn cancause instability. Using a shear, for example, whilstworking out of plane by more than 1° causes severestresses in the turning point, which are created by theturning moment of the shear. Continued use in suchcircumstances will significantly reduce the life of themachine and its component parts. Travelling on slopesshould be avoided but, when unavoidable, the machineshould travel with the slope, not across it.



4 At Work 24

4.2 Working safely

Banksman

Changing attachments

Lifting and lowering the boom

Dust emissions

In certain working environments, a trained andcompetent banksman may be required. Thebanksman should never be allowed inside the dropzone while work is in progress. Where necessary,two-way radio communications may be requiredbetween the banksman, machine operator and sitesupervisor to maintain safe operation of themachine and site.

To avoid the risk of injury during a change ofattachment or front-end equipment, it isrecommended that changeovers involve acompetent assistant and are conducted in strictaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructions,ensuring that the original manufacturers pins andpin retainment systems are located and securedwith the manufacturer’s recommended lockingdevices. An area with firm and level groundshould be selected for the changeover and anyequipment not being used should be stowed inaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The attachment - ie, shear, grab, pulveriser -should only be used and maintained in accordancewith the manufacturer's instructions. Attachmentsshould never be used to bludgeon, push or pull astructure to weaken it. In addition to the obviousdamage which could occur to the attachment, thekinetic energy built up by the movement of theboom or dipper arms towards the structure, willincrease with every centimeter travelled (Mass xAcceleration). If the attachment strikes an objectthat does not give way, the deceleration x the massof the attachment will impact on the boom, boommountings and base and may impose bendingstresses in the cylinders and boom.

An operator of a high or ultra high reach machineshould always be aware of the difficulty ingauging distances between the attachment and thestructure, particularly where water sprays or dustmay obscure the operator’s sightline. Adverseweather conditions may not directly affect themachines stability, but high winds, direct sunlight,poor visibility and fog may affect the safeoperation of the machine in extreme conditions.

When lifting or lowering the boom it must be fullyretracted, in the case of telescopic booms andtucked in for multi-piece booms and dipper arms.This will allow the machines counterweight tofunction and compensate for the change in anydegree of plane. It is also important to recognisethat the load capacity of the machine will vary onthe quadrant position of the boom in relation to themachines undercarriage. In the case of a crawlermachine (tracked) the three quadrants that shouldbe considered are:

1. Over the side of the tracks

2. Over the idler end of the tracks

3. Over the drive sprocket end of the tracks

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The stability of the machine when lifting andlowering the boom will also be affected if themachine is not placed on firm and level ground.Machines fitted with a gyroscope/inclometerinstrument coupled to a warning indicator willalert the operator that the machine is operatingoutside of the angle of inclination and over thepredetermined threshold for safe operation. In suchinstances the operator should not attempt tocontinue lifting or operating.

Having successfully raised the boom to theoptimum position required to work, the operatorshould ensure that all the machines warningdevices and operational instruments are fullyfunctioning before starting work. As with all suchequipment, test functions are built into the machinecontrols. These may include inclometer warningsensors (telescopic boom only), cameras, fuel andoil levels, wind speed anemometers, enginetemperature etc. In addition, a physical pre-startcheck of the rudimentary machine componentsmust be undertaken to include track and frame,mirrors, boom and arm hinge points, attachmentsetc. If in doubt, the operator should refer to his‘operator manual’ and the manufacturersinstructions for best practice principles. All dailychecks should be made with the equipment fullyretracted and lowered to the ground as shownwithin the machine operating manual.

Every effort should be made to minimise the dustcreated by the reduction process. This may beundertaken in a number of ways, i.e. by utilisingthe machines bespoke and in-built dustsuppression systems, employing a ‘water cannon’‘fog cannon’ etc atomized water sprays or even asimple hand held hose or other specially designeddust suppuration system. Where the water supplyis insufficient to manage such systems, a suitableengineered alternative should be sought.

4 At Work 25


4.3 Shutting down

Shutting down the equipment

Locking the cab

It is an important safety aspect that the machine isstowed in a safe manner at the end of eachworking day. The main and intermediate dippersshould be fully lowered; any telescoping sectionsare fully retracted; and the main boom is lowereduntil the attachment is on the ground in accordancewith procedure detailed within the operatingmanual.

The ignition key should be removed, the operator’scab should be locked and any additional securityfunctions such as battery isolator, alarms or cabprotection systems should be activated.


4 At Work 26


4.4 Transport to & from site

Loading onto low-loader

Securing on low loader

Stowing equipment

It is possible to transport most high reachmachines with the boom attached to the base.However, for many ultra high reach machines itmay be necessary to detach the demolition boomfrom the base machine and transport separately(manufacturers transport recommendations to befollowed). Where counterweights are demountable,these should NEVER be removed before thedemolition boom is removed. Extreme care mustbe taken whilst moving machines withcounterweights removed, avoid travel over unevenground use low angle approach ramps and keepwithin manufacturers guidelines .

Retractable undercarriage must be operated instrict accordance with manufactures operatingmanual procedures.

When loading a fully rigged high reach machineonto the low loader the machine should bereversed onto the trailer with the boom in line withthe trailer

The boom need only be raised to sufficient heightfor ground clearance and should never be slewedacross the trailer. Running boards should be foldedand secured in the upright position to compensatefor track overhang. They should be deployedwith suitable marker boards displayed.

The boom should be chocked and chained toprevent any bouncing or rocking that might lead todamage to the boom. In addition, the machineshould be chained to the trailer in accordance withgood industry practice and current legalrequirements.

Pre-start checks on all equipment (includingstowed away equipment awaiting deployment)should be carried out prior to redeployment.


Produced byMark Anthony Publicity and Demolition Publicationson behalf of theNational Federation of Demolition Contractors.

Requests to copy or reproduce any part of this publicationshould be made to:

National Federation of Demolition ContractorsParadiseHemel HempsteadHertfordshireHP2 4TFTel: 01442 217144Fax: 01442 218268www.demolition-nfdc.com



NATIONAL FEDERATION OF DEMOLITION CONTRACTORSParadise · Hemel Hempstead · Hertfordshire HP2 4TFTel: 01442 217144 · Fax: 01442 218268 · www.demolition-nfdc.com

High Reach Demolition Rig Guidance Notes For demolition machines of 15 metres working height and above


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For demolition machines of 15 metres working height … demolition machines of 15 metres ... multi-boom or telescopic boom that ... Rig Guidance Notes For demolition machines of 15