Working in the Right Direction

A heavy plant operator is set to take legal action to ensure correct operating procedures are adhered to when using tracked excavators.

Kenneth Hatcher, often known as “Mr Rule Book” who hails from the Rhondda Cynon Taf area in Wales, is looking to get a law passed that would make it illegal for operators to work over the sprockets of an excavator, especially when undertaking digging operations.

Talking about his proposed action Mr Hatcher said, “I’m very passionate about people not working “in reverse” every operator’s manual you look at states that you should not do it, and it really annoys me that so many still do it. Over the years I have tried to raise awareness of this bad practice on the various social media platforms I frequent, but unfortunately the message doesn’t seem to be getting home to some operators, as such I intend to reach out to the European High Commission to see if we can get some form of legislation in place to make the practice outlawed”.

If all things go to plan the proposed “Sprocket Man Initiative” could come into force by April 1^st next year following a 12-month consultation period, which could involve manufacturers, and industry governing bodies.

Summarizing Mr Hatcher said, “One thing is for sure; I’m not for turning on this, especially not in reverse, some people think I’m a bit crazy, but I just like to see things done properly, I’m no fool, not even on this day of all days!”.