1

Mobile Equipment

Module 12

2

DISCLAIMERThis material was produced under grant

number SH-22248-1 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.

Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of

the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial

products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

3

Objectives• After this module you should be able to– identify the most common mobile equipment

hazards– take the steps necessary to avoid those

hazards

4

Mobile Equipment Hazards• Being struck by or run over by equipment• Equipment rollovers• Making contact with power lines• Defective equipment• Not using the equipment according to the

manufacturer’s instructions• Getting caught in moving parts• Being crushed by elevated components which fall• Equipment fires• Falls• Hearing loss• Loading and unloading equipment

5

inspections of mobile equipment are essential for safe operation

this operator is completing his daily inspection

6

Pulling Equipment from Service• Reasons to pull a piece of equipment from

service and tag– inoperative backup alarm or horn– defective or missing fire extinguisher– defective or missing seat belt– brake problems– broken or missing mirrors– cracked, broken, or missing glass– defective doors or latches that prevent operator exit– fluid leaks that could affect safe operation– any other safety or health hazard likely to cause

serious harm

7

this disabled backup alarm was discovered during a preshift inspection

Corrective Action: this machine should be pulled from service, tagged, and repaired

8

operators may not always see a worker approaching them

approach equipment only after making eye contact and signaling the operator; wait for their approval

9

while the equipment is running, this worker is in an unsafe position talking with the operator

Corrective Action: never enter into the direct path of moving equipment (or equipment that may move unintentionally)

10

this is a much safer place to be

11

this worker is in the direct path of travel and can’t be seen

Corrective Actions: never forget that equipment has blind spots; work defensively

12

13

improper parking can result in out-of-control and runaway equipment which is a hazard to both the operator and ground workers

when getting off the equipment, make sure to set the brake, place the transmission in park, and ground all attachments

14

equipment rollovers often result in the operator being ejected and crushed

simply making seatbelt use a habit may save your life

15

valuable safety-related information can be found in the operator’s manual

this operator is taking a moment to review the safe operation of his piece of equipment

16

unsupported machine components can drop unexpectedly

Corrective Actions: use the support provided by the manufacturer; if a support is not provided, crib, chock, or block; never place any part of your body, even for a moment, under any suspended load or elevated piece of equipment

17

you, your equipment, and materials must stay at least 10’ from powerlines

you should be told by your supervisor when a greater approach distance is required due to higher voltages

18

this photograph was taken after a truck loaded with mobile equipment caught these lines and tore them down

ensure that the load being hauled is low enough to clear power lines

19

guy wires from the rig must be visibly marked

although this was a good start, these guy wires need several more flags per wire for visibility

20

a fire extinguisher should be mounted on every piece of mobile equipment

ensure that every piece of equipment has an extinguisher and that it is inspected periodically

21

this attachment lacks a safety pin; the attachment could come off and strike a ground worker

22

23

unsecured items in the cab can end up under pedals, interfere with safe operation, or can hit a worker in the event of a rollover

Corrective Actions: keep unnecessary items out of cab; secure those that must be there

24

take the time to read and follow all warning labels, many workers would be alive if they had

25

rags and other items can create serious fall hazards in and around equipment access points

Corrective Action: keep steps and other equipment access areas clear and clean

26

most equipment makes enough noise to eventually damage your hearing

this worker is protecting his hearing in a loud environment

27

a rollover protective system (ROPS), guarding of moving parts, and warning labels must be in place

28

keep the load reasonably low; also, if the load is too high to see over, tram in reverse

a load that is kept low to the ground will be more stable and easier to control

29

certify the competency of operators of machinery by classroom and hands-on training

Certified Forklift Operator Cards

an employee must be trained on the specific piece of machinery before approval can be given for operation

30

Motor Vehicles• If driving is part of your job, take the

following steps– use safety belts– always drive within the speed limit– do NOT drive if you are fatigued– be familiar with the maintenance procedures

for all vehicle systems– avoid using cell phones while driving– avoid other potentially distracting activities

such as eating, drinking, or adjusting non-critical vehicle controls while driving

31

this driver realizes the importance of maintaining his truck in safe operating condition

32

this driver realizes that motor vehicle crashes lead to more work-related fatalities than all other causes

33

34

unsecured tools and other items can become dangerous projectiles in the event of a motor vehicle crash

Corrective Action: avoid having unsecured objects in the cab of your truck

35

gates can pose a serious hazard if left partially open or won’t remain fully open

Corrective Actions: ensure that a gate is either fully open or closed; approach gated areas with caution; report gates that will not remain open

36

37

38

39

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s)• If operating one is part of your job, take

the following steps– become familiar with local hazards– do a preoperational check (T-CLOC)– do NOT carry passengers (unless designed so)– always turn off engine when ATV is parked;

remove key and set brake– when carrying equipment, equalize the load

to maintain balance, stability, and center of gravity

40

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s)• If operating one is part of your job, take

the following steps, continued– do NOT drive recklessly or engage in

horseplay– do NOT cross deep or swift moving water– modify an ATV only with manufacturer’s

written approval– always wear proper PPE, most importantly

your helmet– operate according to the manufacturer, obey

the warning labels

41

well tenders spend a lot of time loading, unloading, and operating their ATV’s

what are some of the hazards associated with work-related ATV use?

42

this operator realizes the hazards associated with loading and unloading an ATV

it is important to use loading ramps that are wide enough and secured firmly to the truck bed

43

take advantage of operator training courses whenever possible

44

Applicable Standards• 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks• 1926 Subpart O Motor Vehicles,

Mechanized Equipment• 1926 Subpart W Rollover Protective

Structures; Overhead Protection

45

Your Employer Is Responsible For• Providing the right equipment for the job• Maintaining the equipment• Training you on the hazards and safe work

practices associated with each machine

46

You Are Responsible For• Only operating the equipment you are

authorized to operate• Operate according to the manufacturer• Reading and following all warning labels• Operate equipment so no hazards are

created for yourself and other workers

47

Case Study• An operator decided wearing his seat belt

was unimportant. When his dozer slid down a steep bank ending up on its side, his head was crushed by the dozer’s rollover protective structure.

48

Always Remember• Do a pre-shift inspection every day• Do not run a piece of equipment with defects

that may affect safe operation• Ensure there is a fully charged extinguisher on

the piece of equipment• Make sure the manufacturer’s operating manual

is on the machine• Operate equipment according to the

manufacturer’s instructions and obey all warning labels

• Seat belts are to be used all of the time

49

Always Remember• Hearing protection may be required while

operating equipment• Cabs are to be free of all unsecured tools or

other loose items• Be aware of blind spots, the swing radius of

equipment, and overhead powerlines• When getting off the machine, you must set the

parking brake, set the transmission in park, and ground all moving parts

• Approach equipment only after making eye contact and signaling the operator; wait for their approval

50

Memory Check1. What is the best way to protect yourself

from injury in the event of a rollover? a. wear heavy clothing and a hard hatb. wear your seat beltc. hold on tightd. take your hands and feet off the controls

51

Memory Check2. As an operator, how often should you

inspect your piece of mobile equipment? a. the first day of the work weekb. once a monthc. each day prior to operationd. never, the mechanics will do that

52

Memory Check3. What should you do with a piece of

mobile equipment when the backup alarm is not functioning properly?

a. operate it with cautionb. operate it as usualc. pull it from serviced. pull it from service, tag, and repair it

53

Memory Check4. What should a ground worker do before

approaching a piece of equipment and its operator?

a. make eye contactb. signal the operatorc. wait for their approvald. all of the above