1. Unsafe Quick Couplers Linked to Accidents Since 1/98, there have been 16 incidents investigated by OSHA in which workers were struck by excavator buckets that were unintentionally released from their quick coupling devices; 9 of these were fatal. Note: Related bucket accidents investigated by Madison, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Columbus Area Offices

2. Unsafe Quick Couplers Linked to Accidents Purpose of SHIB: Alert employers & employees that excavator attachments may release inadvertently from quick coupling devices if positive corrective actions are not taken.

3. What Are Quick Couplers and Why are They Popular?  After market devices that enable contractors to make quick attachment changes on hydraulic excavators  With bucket removed the lifting capacity of the machine is increased  Contractors are able to do the majority of their work with a large bucket then switch to a smaller bucket for fine-tuning and tight areas  Quick couplers allow the operator to change from using a bucket to a ram attachment and back to a bucket easily

4. Why do the Buckets Release? Quick coupler is not fully engaged & locked Bucket pin may not be sized properly Quick coupler springs have loosen or lost adequate tension to hold the bucket Quick couplers not maintained properly

5. What to Do: Make sure that couplers have a manual locking pin installed and used! –The pin insures that the bucket will not fall off if the coupler fails (e.g., springs loosen; etc.) Coupler Manufacturers JRB and Hendrix have recently made retrofit kits with manual locking pins available for use on their equipment –Couplers from manufacturers Craig & Esco are already equipped with the manual locking pins; new JRB & Hendrix couplers will be too; do not yet know about Caterpillar…

7. Inspection Procedures: Do you use quick couplers? If so, who are they made by?  Inform them of the SHIB and NIOSH Alert Are they equipped with a manual locking pin? If so, who installs the pin? Operator can not install the pin from the cab; it needs to be manually inserted Are your workers familiar with these specific quick couplers? (Hendrix couplers are very different from JRBs) Ask to see the pin and check machine for warning labels If the quick couplers are not equipped with or using the manual locking pin a §5(a)(1) citation is to be issued