Heavy Mobile Equipment Safety

Working around heavy mobile equipment (such as excavators, loaders, bulldozers and forklifts) can expose the operator and nearby personnel to significant hazards that may result in serious injury or death. Below are some of the more common safety hazards:

• Machine accidents: Heavy mobile equipment run the risk of causing severe accidents if not operated according to proper procedures. Machine guards help protect heavy mobile equipment operators against these hazards. However, some operators do not know how to use or check the machine guards. The consequences of these accidents range from minor injuries to fatalities.
• Falls and collapses: Working at heights or on raised surfaces near heavy mobile machinery can result in falls. Scaffolds, bucket lifts, aerial platforms and improperly secured loads on cranes or forklifts present fall risks, putting the safety of operator and nearby personnel at risk.
• Struck-by or caught-in-between accidents: Anyone operating, or near to, heavy mobile equipment faces the risk of being struck by moving machinery, swinging loads or the equipment itself. There is also a risk of personnel getting caught between equipment, machine components or handled materials, especially in tight spaces or while performing maintenance and repairs.
• Electrocution: Heavy mobile equipment may come into contact with power lines, causing electric shocks or electrocution. Not recognizing or keeping a safe distance from electrical sources could lead to serious injury or death.
• Noise and vibration hazards: Extended exposure to noise and vibrations from heavy equipment can cause hearing damage, musculoskeletal issues and other health concerns for personnel. Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and properly maintaining equipment are essential to reduce these risks.
• Inadequate personnel training: Heavy mobile equipment manufacturers must never take employee safety for granted. Safety procedures are constantly evolving, causing personnel to grow complacent over time. They may have been trained in a different brand of heavy equipment, or never undergone training at all. Not addressing these dangers can result in loss of life.

When using heavy mobile equipment, it's absolutely essential to follow strict safety precautions. The most important precautions fall into several key categories:

• Operator training and certification: Only trained, competent and certified individuals should operate heavy equipment. Heavy mobile machinery operators need to be familiar with the specific model they are using.
• Pre-operational inspections: Operators must perform daily inspections on the brakes, steering, tires, hydraulic systems, mirrors, lights and backup alarms before use. Defective equipment needs to be immediately tagged and removed from service.
• Use of PPE: All personnel must wear high-visibility clothing, hard hats, steel-toed boots and hearing protection as needed.
• Safe distances: Ground workers should always stay clear of equipment swing zones, blind spots and paths of travel. Barriers can be set up to keep unauthorized personnel out of operating zones.
• Avoid operating in hazardous conditions: Do not operate heavy mobile machinery during high winds, lightning, poor visibility or unstable ground conditions. Personnel should also exercise extreme caution when operating near trenches, edges and slopes to avoid rollovers.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations related to heavy mobile equipment are covered under several standards depending on the industry and equipment type.

For example, OSHA Construction Industry Standards 29 CFR Part 1926 (Subpart O) covers motor vehicles, mechanized equipment and marine operations. OSHA Standard 1926.600(a)(3)(i) specifically states that: 

• Heavy machinery and equipment (or parts thereof) that are suspended or held aloft by use of slings, hoists or jacks shall be substantially blocked or cribbed to prevent falling or shifting before employees are permitted to work under or between them
• Bulldozer and scraper blades, end-loader buckets, dump bodies and similar equipment shall be either fully lowered or blocked when being repaired or when not in use
• All controls shall be in a neutral position, with the motors stopped and brakes set, unless work being performed requires otherwise

OSHA General Industry Standards 29 CFR Part 1910 (Subpart N) addresses handling materials with powered industrial trucks, including mobile lifting equipment. This section contains safety requirements relating to fire protection, design, maintenance and use of fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines.