Although your health and safety is always at the forefront of our minds, this month we’re highlighting the importance of staying safe on site even more than we usually do.

This is because April 28th marks World Day for Health & Safety at Work; a day where we focus on making sure we’re working in the safest way possible and assessing the risks and impact of our actions on others in the workplace.

We understand that your safety and wellbeing on the job site is a huge priority for you and your team. That’s why we try to help make this easier by designing your equipment to be as safe as possible. This includes incorporating some extra nifty features to make sure you’re able to work hard but remain safe whilst doing so.

Today, we’re taking a look at our range of Mini Excavators, which contain lots of handy features to help you look after yourself (and your colleagues) at work. The features listed below can be found across multiple models in our Mini Excavator range (and our newest models – launching soon!)

How can Cat^® Mini Excavators help you stay safe at work?

1. Courtesy work lights

When you’re working all year round, it’s inevitable that sometimes you’ll be on a job site in the dark. When there’s a lack of light, it’s more important than ever to be aware of your surroundings so you don’t have any accidents.

This is where courtesy work lights are helpful. Found in the 3-8 ton Mini Excavators, these are lights placed on the exterior of your machine and within the cab that will stay illuminated as you exit and lock your machine (meaning that you avoid any trips or falls in the dark).

You can adjust the length of time they stay lit up for to make sure that you have enough time to lock up, leave your excavator and get safely into your car for your journey home. Just set the timer within the Configurations option in the Service tab of your monitor.

2. Foldable safety frame

When you’re operating one of the more compact models in the Cat^® Mini Excavator family, such as the 300.9D, 300.9D VPS and HPU300, you’ll still have all the features you need to keep you safe when working.

The smaller models in the range are all designed to help you work in the tightest of spaces. However, when you’re working in a confined space, sometimes you might feel a bit too close to the action.

That’s why our more compact models all come with a foldable ROPS safety frame structure. This allows you to fit a guard on your excavator to make sure you’re fully protected when operating the hammer.

3. Fluorescent retractable seat belt

When you spend your day moving around the job site, you need to make sure that you’re fully protected on uneven terrain and against any bumps. That’s why having a properly fitted seat belt is important.

Cat Mini Excavators feature retractable, fluorescent seat belts, which not only keep you safe and secure in your seat if you do need to stop suddenly or encounter any bumps; they also help you to maintain your visibility on site during those long, dark winter days or in foggy conditions.

4. Back-up camera

When you’re moving your Mini Excavator around on the job site, sometimes it can be tricky to spot any hazards lurking behind you. That’s why our 6-10 ton models come with an optional rear-view camera, giving you visibility of what’s behind you, helping you to spot any hazards and keeping you (and your team) safe. Just look at your monitor to check that the area behind you is clear.

5. Comfortable cab

Your day-to-day health when operating your Mini Excavator is essential and that’s why we want to make sure your cab is as supportive and comfortable as possible. After all, your cab is your home when working on site.

The Next Gen Mini Excavator models include a choice of canopy or sealed and pressurised cab, complete with adjustable wrist rests and a suspension seat. These features are designed to support you, minimise fatigue when working and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible, all day long.

Want to learn more about the safety features found in our range of Mini Excavators? Find out more about our 1-10 ton models