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Earthmoving Equipment

Earthmoving Equipment
Definition: a mobile, power-propelled vehicle
designed to carry, dig, spread, or move earth or
material.

Backhoes
Dozers
Excavators
Skidsteers
Loaders

Common Causes of Fatalities

Roll-overs
Worker struck by equipment
Struck by material
Electrocution
Burn

Causes of Injuries

Climbing on/off
Worker struck by equipment
Roll-over
Struck by material
Burn
Electrocution

Equipment Requirements
Equipment left at night by a highway must
have lights.
Split rims must use tire cage for repair
If equipment is lifted, it must be supported by
blocks/cribbing.
Parking brakes must be on all machines
Cab glass must be safety and clear

Motor Vehicle Requirements


Equipment must have brakes-parking, service,
and emergency
Equipment must have lights if needed
Equipment must have brake lights
Equipment must have audible warning (horn)
If traveling in reverse, a back-up alarm is
needed.

Motor Vehicle Requirements

Cab glass must be safety and clear


Tools must be secured in cab
Seats for operators on, no riders
Seatbelts on all machines
Vehicle inspections shall be done daily

Material Handling Equipment


Earthmoving equipment:
Seatbelts required
Only accessible roadways and grades shall be
utilized
Bi-directions equipment must have horn
Scissor points on equipment must be guarded

Material Handling Equipment


Excavating and other equipment:
Seatbelt required
Must meet Automotive Engineering requirements
Must meet Power Crane and Shovel requirements

Site Clearing
Operators must have protection from irritant
and toxic plants
Roll-over Protection Structure:
Overhead protection required. Do not operate
equipment if ROPS is missing, damaged or
modified without manufacturers approval
Rear opening in cab required

Manuals
All equipment should be equipped with
operators and safety manuals.
Trainees must familiarize with the manuals
before operating.
Manuals are usually located in cab.
Contact dealer or distributor for lost or
damaged manuals.

ID Plates
Located on the equipment, the manufacturers
ID plate usually contains:
Weight of machine
Serial number
Engine information

Safety Symbols
Danger-most serious, could cause fatality
Warning-less serious, but could cause injury
Caution-be careful

Read all safety decals.

Personal Protective Equipment


Employees shall always wear proper PPE:
Hard Hats, depending upon conditions
Safety Glasses
Foot Protection
Hearing Protection
Proper Clothing
Dust Mask, depending upon conditions

Personal Protective Equipment

Employees should always know where to find:


Emergency assistance
First-aid kits
Fire extinguishers

Utility Location
Always locate utilities before digging. Local
programs can provide assistance.
Tragedies can happen in seconds when utility
lines are severed.
Never assume utility lines are dead.

Road Travel
Use of public roads for equipment should be
avoided if at all possible.
An escort vehicle is recommended.
Check local laws for rules and regulations for
equipment on the road.

Worksite Inspections
Before operating equipment on a worksite,
always inspect for:

Surface conditions, included slope hazards


Worker activity
Drop-offs, unleveled surfaces
Material obstructions
Wind, rain
Powerline hazards
Material hazards

Equipment Inspections
Before using equipment, always inspect:

Bucket/boom
Tires, tracks
Brakes, steering
Controls
Safety devices
Stabilizers/outriggers
ROPS

Malfunctions
Do not ever change a tire on equipment unless
you are authorized.
Damaged or malfunctioning equipment should
be tagged and taken out of use.

Backhoe Traveling

Watch for pedestrians


Keep bucket low and tilted
Drive slowly
Keep clear of edges and banks
Watch for overhead obstructions
Sound horn at corners, intersections, blind
spots
No riders

Backhoe Traveling
Avoid slopes if at all possible
Travel straight up and down slopes
Loaded bucket
Travel forward uphill, reverse downhill

Unloaded bucket
Travel reverse uphill, forward downhill

Backhoe Loading
Know bucket capacity
Never lift a worker in a bucket
Keep on level work surfaces, avoid loading on
slopes
Make sure load is stable
Never allow anyone under or near a load,
especially the swing pivot area
Never swing bucket over a cab
Be aware of slipping near trenches, edges

Backhoe Digging
Locate utilities FIRST
Then get machine ready to dig

Engage parking brake


Set front bucket on ground
Lower outriggers on a firm base
Level machine

Operate controls from seat only


No workers allowed in digging area

Backhoe Digging

Operate controls smoothly


Dig directly behind backhoe
Do not slam bucket into the ground
Do not attempt to dig more than bucket holds
Do not dig under an outrigger

Backhoe Lifting

Know the lifting capacity


Only lift with outriggers/stabilizers down
Avoid side/lifting
Avoid swinging loads
Do not lift a load any higher than necessary
Be aware of traffic hazards if operating near
the roadway

Skidsteer
Familiarize yourself with operators manual
Mount with 3 points of contact, never if lift
arms are up
Put seatbelt on, lower bar if applicable
Look for hazards, other workers
Start machine, check gauges
Familiarize with controls

Skidsteer Traveling

Know surface capacities


Watch for overhead obstructions
Keep bucket tilted and low
Keep clear of edges and banks
Avoid slopes if possible
If you must, travel straight up and down
Loaded bucket, travel forward uphill and
reverse downhill.

Skidsteer Traveling
Unloaded bucket-travel reverse uphill, forward
downhill
Avoid sudden starts and stops
Sound horn at corners, intersections, blind
spots
Use a spotter if vision obstructed
Do not pull other equipment
Slow down when terrain is rough
No riders

Skidsteer
Loading/Digging/Grading:

Know capacity of skidsteer


Never allow anyone near a lifted load
Make sure loads are stable
Never undercut a high bank
Keep on level work surfaces, avoid loading on
slopes
Be aware of slipping when near trenches, edges

Skidsteer

Know location of utilities before digging


Never ram the bucket into anything
Be aware of confined spaces in loading areas
Never overload
Avoid lifting a load too high
Never leave the skidsteer with a raised load
Watch for workers and pedestrians
Slow down in tight spaces

Excavator

Get familiar with operators manual


Understand basic hand signals
Make sure surface will support machines weight
Mount with 3 points of contact, facing machine
Keep cab free of loose debris
Adjust and connect seatbelt

Excavator

Look for potential hazards


Make sure machine is in a well-ventilated area
Start machine, check gauges
Familiarize with controls
Allow hydraulic oil to warm up

Excavator Traveling

Watch for workers and pedestrians


Always signal your intention to move (horn)
Keep boom/bucket low while moving
Be aware of overhead obstructions
Use a signal person when clearances are limited
Be aware of tail swing hazards
When cornering, allow for boom overhang

Excavator Traveling

Drive slowly
Keep clear of edges and banks
Sound horn at corners, intersections, blind spots
No riders
Be aware of bridge load limits
Always cross obstacles at an angle
Avoid slopes travel straight up and down when
unavoidable
Watch for power lines

Excavator Loading

Avoid working near power lines


Never allow anyone near a load
Use outriggers if available
Make sure loads are stable
Never swing bucket over a truck cab
Avoid loading on slopes (keep tracks vertical
on slopes)
Be aware of slipping near trenches, edges

Excavator Lifting

Know lift capacity and weight of load


Use a signal person when needed
Use appropriate rigging
Never allow anyone near a load
Make sure loads are stable, use tag lines
Keep load close to ground
Keep on level work surfaces
Never lift a person in a bucket

Excavator Digging

Locate utilities
Lower outriggers/stabilizers
Avoid side digging
Operate controls from seat only
Never allow workers around digging area
Avoid undercutting the machine
Be aware of blind spots

Excavator Digging
Level off work area when needed
Avoid swinging or extending the bucket in a
downhill direction
Dig at a slow, steady pace
Be aware of trench edges and drop-offs while
digging
Always wear safety vests when working near
roadways.

Dozer/Loader
Get familiar with operators manual
Mount with 3 points of contact, facing
machine, using handles
Cab glass must be clear, use seatbelt
Inspect tracks for rocks and/or other debris
Look for hazards, other workers
Start machine, check gauges
Familiarize with controls
Assure proper ventilation

Loader/Dozer Traveling

Always remain in seat while operating


Never use machine as a ram
Keep blade/bucket low
Sound horn for intersections, corners, blind
spots
Use signal person when needed
Be aware of hazardous weather conditions
Never us bucket or blade for a work platform

Loader/Dozer Traveling

Be aware of obstructed vision hazards


Fully inspect all equipment before operation
Tight turning areas can be dangerous
Always travel at a safe, slow speed
Cross obstacles and ditches at an angle
Avoid banks, edges and slopes
If on a steep slope, travel up and down (not
sideways). If you slide, turn in direction of the
downslope.

Loader/Dozer Loading

Know the machines capacity


Never overload a bucket
Make sure loads are stable
Never allow anyone near a load
Avoid loading on slopes (keep tracks/tires
vertical on slopes)
Be aware of slipping when near trenches, edges
Be aware of overhead obstructions

Loader/Dozer Loading
Avoid sudden starts/stops and sharp turns
when loaded
Try to keep loading area level
Never lift a person in the bucket
Never travel with a load lifted (keep as low as
possible)
Load from side or back

Roller Compactor
Use 3 points of contact while climbing onto
machine
Adjust seat and mirrors (if applicable)
Engage seatbelt (if ROPS is functional)
Start compactor, familiarize with controls
Avoid all pinch-points on machine
Take all workplace hazards into consideration

Roller Compactor Operation


Avoid slopes, drop-offs, unleveled surfaces (if
unavoidable, drive straight up and down)
Use low gear on slopes
Obey all traffic regulations when traveling on
public road
Never turn corners at high speeds
Be aware of overhead obstacles

Proper Shutdown All Equipment

Find a flat, level parking spot


Come to complete stop
Set brake
Set in neutral (if applicable)
Lower bucket, blade, boom to the ground
Shut engine off
Cycle hydraulic controls
Remove key and apply locks

Maintenance
Be familiar with manuals
Do proper inspections, checking for damaged
components and safety devices
Know lubrication procedures
Fluids should be kpet full
Tire/tracks should be changed regularly
Never attempt to repair unless properly trained

Batteries & Fueling


Batteries
Know proper changing and charging techniques
Wear proper PPE
Store with proper ventilation

Fueling
Always shut equipment off
Wear proper PPE
No smoking or open flames

Attachments
Various attachments are available for
equipment, but only use those approved by the
manufacturer:

Buckets
Forks
Carpet poles
Booms
Augers
Sweepers

This training was adapted from Safetyhead, Inc.,


Earthmoving Equipment Safety Training Kit.
You may now finish this safety training tutorial by
completing the OSHA Assessment Quiz.

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