29 Jun Driving Vehicles & Moving Equipment Safely

Driving Vehicles & Moving Equipment Safely

Vehicles and mobile equipment are essential to many work activities, but their size, weight, speed, and limited visibility can create serious hazards. Collisions, rollovers, struck-by incidents, and caught-between injuries can result when equipment is operated improperly or when employees enter an equipment operating zone.

Only trained, qualified, and authorized employees may operate vehicles or mobile equipment. Operators must understand the equipment’s controls, limitations, safety features, and manufacturer instructions before operation.

Before Operating the Equipment

Operators should inspect the vehicle or equipment before use and verify that it is safe to operate. The inspection should include applicable items such as:

• Brakes, steering, and controls.
• Tires, wheels, and tracks.
• Lights, horns, alarms, and warning devices.
• Mirrors and cameras.
• Seat belts and rollover protective structures (ROPS).
• Guards and shields.
• Hydraulic systems and attachments.
• Fluid leaks or visible damage.

Defects affecting safe operation must be reported promptly. Unsafe equipment must be removed from service until repaired.

Before moving, adjust the seat and mirrors, fasten the seat belt, and make sure workers and obstacles are clear of the equipment.

Operator Fitness and PPE

Operators must be physically and mentally capable of safely operating the equipment.

• Get adequate rest and take appropriate breaks to prevent fatigue.
• Do not operate equipment when illness, fatigue, alcohol, drugs, or medication could impair safe operation.
• Wear required PPE appropriate for the equipment and work environment.
• Use hearing, respiratory, eye, head, foot, or high-visibility protection when required by the hazards.
• Always wear the provided seat belt when required, including when operating equipment equipped with ROPS.

Safe Operating Practices

Operate vehicles and equipment at speeds appropriate for the conditions.

Reduce speed when:

• Turning or maneuvering.
• Operating on slopes or uneven terrain.
• Approaching ditches, drop-offs, or obstacles.
• Traveling on wet, muddy, icy, or unstable surfaces.
• Visibility is restricted.
• Operating near workers, structures, vehicles, or other equipment.

Avoid sudden starts, stops, and turns that could cause loss of control or a rollover.

Never exceed the equipment’s rated capacity or operate attachments in a manner inconsistent with manufacturer requirements.

Protect Workers on the Ground

Operators and ground workers share responsibility for preventing struck-by and caught-between incidents.

• Establish clear communication before work begins.
• Keep pedestrians outside designated equipment operating zones.
• Never assume the operator can see you.
• Make eye contact or otherwise receive acknowledgment before approaching equipment.
• Stay clear of blind spots and swing radiuses.
• Never walk directly behind equipment that is backing.
• Use a trained spotter or signal person when required or when the operator’s view is obstructed.
• Stop equipment if visual contact with the designated spotter is lost.

Workers should never place themselves between moving equipment and a fixed object where they could be crushed.

Backing and Limited Visibility

Backing should be minimized whenever practical. Before backing:

• Check the area behind the equipment.
• Make sure workers and obstacles are clear.
• Use mirrors, cameras, alarms, and other installed safety devices.
• Use a spotter when required or when the operator cannot clearly see the path of travel.

Backing alarms and cameras are supplemental safety devices and do not replace operator awareness or proper communication.

Passengers and Riders

Never allow anyone to ride on equipment unless the manufacturer has provided a designated passenger seat.

Employees must not ride on:

• Steps or running boards.
• Fenders.
• Buckets or attachments.
• Drawbars.
• Forks or loads.
• Any other location not designed for passengers.

If there is no designated passenger seat and restraint system, there should be no passenger.

Parking and Leaving Equipment Unattended

Before leaving the operator’s position:

• Park on a stable surface whenever practical.
• Lower buckets, blades, forks, or other attachments to the ground.
• Place controls in neutral or the manufacturer’s designated parking position.
• Set the parking brake.
• Disengage the power take-off (PTO) and other powered attachments.
• Shut off the engine when required.
• Remove or secure the key to prevent unauthorized operation.

Additional precautions, such as wheel chocks, may be necessary when equipment is parked on an incline.

Servicing, Refueling, and Clearing Jams

Never clean, adjust, unclog, lubricate, or repair moving equipment unless an approved procedure specifically permits the activity.

Before servicing equipment:

• Shut down the equipment.
• Lower or securely block raised components.
• Disconnect or isolate hazardous energy.
• Follow applicable lockout/tagout or other energy-control procedures.
• Wait for moving components to stop completely.
• Keep guards and shields installed and replace them before returning equipment to service.

Refueling should be performed according to manufacturer instructions and applicable fire-prevention requirements. Shut down the engine and control ignition sources as required.

Operating on Public Roads

Only properly licensed and authorized employees may operate vehicles on public roads when a driver’s license is required.

Operators must comply with applicable traffic laws, use seat belts, secure loads, and ensure required lights, reflectors, warning devices, and other equipment are functioning.

Emergency Preparedness

Vehicles and mobile equipment should have appropriate emergency resources available based on the work and location. This may include a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency communication equipment, and emergency contact information.

Operators should know how to summon assistance and what to do following a collision, equipment failure, fire, or other emergency.

Remember

The safest equipment operator is one who stays alert, maintains control, anticipates hazards, and knows where other workers are at all times.

Ground workers must also respect equipment operating zones, stay out of blind spots, and never assume the operator can see them.

Inspect it. Buckle up. Slow down. Stay clear—and never take equipment movement for granted.