AN EXCAVATOR overturned after sliding down a steep slope and crashing into a rock. 

No one was hurt in the incident but the 13-tonne machine suffered minor damage to its side panels. A "small amount" of fuel leaked while the excavator was on its side, but no pollution occurred. 

Officials at Scottish Woodlands have released details on the incident in a bid to alert operators to the dangers of working on steep slopes. The site was measured at 23 degrees. 

"A 13-tonne excavator was undertaking mounding on a new planting site," a bulletin read. "As it was tracking up a slope between compartments, the vegetation beneath the machine gave way, the machine slid down the slope, until the tracks caught on a rock, overturning it, it then slid further down the slope on its side, before coming to rest at the bottom of the slope. No one was hurt.

"The machine suffered minor damage to it side panels and its ‘work at height’ protection guard rails.

"A small amount of fuel leaked out through the breather hole while the machine was on its side. This was contained by oil absorbent mats. No site pollution occurred." 

The statement went on to advise: “It is the ultimate responsibility of the FWM to decide how the forest operation will be carried out on site.

"Managers, contractors and operators must meet before works starts to discuss the limits of any machine used during the operation.

"Most manufacturers do not set slope safe work limits for their machines. An excavator can overturn on level and firm ground if it is incorrectly used.

"Machines come fitted with Roll Over Protection Systems (ROPS) to protect the operator should the machine overturn. In most circumstances this level of protection works well, against the level of force the machine is exposed to when it overturns.

"If a machine slides away on a hill, where it can accelerate as it slides, the level of force the machine can be subjected to, can quickly go beyond the built-in machine protection measures, putting the operator at risk of serious injury.

"On open ground, most excavators with experienced operators, could be expected to work safely, on ‘even’ slopes up to 20 degrees.

"Work on ground beyond that angle should be identified and ‘ground truthed’ by the FWM and the operator to ensure it is safe for the proposed machine type, planned work and work conditions."