Stupid Trackhoe Operator

**AUPS** · August 8th, 2008, 12:11 PM

I just seen the most retarded operator ever. He was not paying attention to detail and raised his bucket up into a powerline.

I heard the very loud boom as I was marking an intersection at the new Bass Pro Shops in Leeds, AL. This man is lucky to be alive. This guy needed to clean the

out of his seat to continue his job I bet!!!

**TBONE** · August 8th, 2008, 05:20 PM

He wasnt following the high voltage utility act

**TBONE** · August 8th, 2008, 05:20 PM

He wasnt following the high voltage utility act

**Wingfoot** · August 8th, 2008, 10:49 PM

**Goldenboy** · August 10th, 2008, 07:20 AM

It's just amazing you don't need some sort of a license to operate a highhoe. A couple days ago I was at a gas damage and the operator swung his bucket around and knocked one of his own guys right on his ass. The operator didn't have a clue about his surroundings. Luckily the guy he knocked over was allright.

**gypsygirl** · August 10th, 2008, 07:54 AM

I've seen that happen also... one time the old man (we called him the blind operator)... knocked one of his guys in head with the bucket.. luckily he had his hard hat on... you really don't want to be in the hole with that guy running the bucket! That was about 6 years ago... and I think he is still out there!!

**UULC** · August 10th, 2008, 08:22 AM

From experience operating a trackhoe, ANYONE working around the hoe is really responsible for their own safety. The operator can only see in front of his cab. You have to stay out of their swing radius and that includes the bucket.

So if you are locating around a trackhoe or backhoe keep a 360 clearance around both. Always where your hard hat, and if you need to approach the hole make sure the operator knows you are there. If you leave to go to your truck be sure he know when you reenter HIS area.

**justanotherlocator** · August 10th, 2008, 08:28 AM

Seems odd that they are talking about locator certification and the required OQ but nothing for equipment operators. You can rent a backhoe and dig all you want, but WE need certified?

**sprayandpray** · August 10th, 2008, 05:30 PM

That brings up an idea -What if we started renting Locating Equipment with simplifed instructions to Homeowners? It would be a lot cheaper than the $150 an hour that we charge. For more complicated instructions we could charge them a one-time fee to log-on to the Cablevine to get them downloaded. Now if I can just find some investors. Hmmmm?