UK's National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) launched its guidance notes for the safe use of high reach excavators at its recent convention.

The guidance notes, authored by Mark Anthony, Paul Brown and Howard Button, are intended to set out best practice when operating this type of demolition equipment on today's work sites.

Demolition excavators are growing in height, with the largest now offering a working height of over 60 metres (197 ft) and their operation requires both highly skilled operators, and good planning and practices if accidents, both serious and minor, are to be avoided.

The guide is distributed free of charge to NFDC members, but will be available for sale in the near future to non-members. The NFDC hopes that the high reach guidance notes will be used around the world to promote the safe operation of these machines.