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Machinery and Vehicular Safety

This material was produced under grant number SH-22248-11-61-F-54 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.

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Objectives• After this module you should be able

to– identify the most common equipment

hazards– take the steps necessary to avoid those

hazards

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Unsafe Work Practices can be Deadly.

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No Riders on Equipment

• Most equipment does not have an extra seat, but some workers allow riders.

• Any rider for any reason is a safety hazard.

• Most importantly a rider could:– Fall from the equipment.– Be run over. – Become entangled in equipment. – Be killed.

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Wood Chippers and Shredders

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Chipper Safety Precautions

• Wear a hard hat, sturdy slip-resistant footwear, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves without cuffs, and pants without cuffs.

• Keep shirtsleeves buttoned and shirts tucked into pants. • Read the operators manual and complete training on

proper use and safety precautions before using it.

• Do not work alone when using a chipper or shredder. • Test all safety and emergency shut-off devices before

operating the chipper or shredder. • Make sure the material to be chipped is free from stones,

metal, and other foreign objects.

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Riding and Walk Behind Mowers

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General Power Mower Safety

• Begin by reading the operator’s manual. • Wear protective, close-fitting clothing. • Use hearing protection if indicated by the

operator’s manual. • Take mowers out of gear before starting.• Read all warning labels.• Obey the warning labels!• When mowing on a slope with a riding

mower, you should mow down the slope

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Walk Behind Mower Precautions

• Start push mowers from a firm stance with feet in a safe position.

• When mowing on a slope with a push mower, you should mow across the slope.

• In the event of a fall, push the mower away from the body.

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TRACTORS and ATTACHMENTS

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Preventing Overturns

• Safe work practices are necessary.

• Most overturns occur to the side.

• Select a low gear and match speed to conditions and loads.

• If a front-end loader is mounted, keep it as low as possible.

• Always remember, If you are uncomfortable on the slope, it’s too steep.

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Rollover Protective Structure

• A rollover protective structure (ROPS) will offer significant protection.

• These roll-bars are designed to withstand the dynamic forces during a rollover.

• You must wear your seatbelt for the ROPS to be effective.

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Heavy Equipment

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Heavy Equipment Safety • Inspected, operated and maintained

according to the manufacturer’s instructions (OSHA Requires it.)

• Operated by designated employees.• Operated so no hazards are created for

other workers.• Practice safe excavation techniques.• Read and follow all warnings on

machinery.

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Visibility and Safety

• All vehicle and machine glass must be kept clean.

• Free from scratches.• Broken, missing or

cracked glass must be replaced.

• Visibility and safety go hand in hand !

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A very dangerous place to be.

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Worker in dangerous blind spot

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Most importantly, working safely around heavy equipment requires good judgment.

Don’t takes risks like this worker is doing.

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Excavation Safety

• Never enter a vertical sided trench unless it is less then 5 feet deep and determined to be safe.

• Never enter a trench deeper then 5 feet unless a protective system is used.

• Sloping, shoring, and shielding are examples of protective systems.

• Sloping may be the easiest for landscapers.

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Prevent Equipment Shifting Danger by Chocking and Blocking

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TRAFFIC CONTROL

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Traffic control

• This single cone is not enough traffic control.

• Barricades should be erected to detour the passage vehicles from hazardous areas.

• If there are questions about which signs should be used, refer to the State Traffic Control Manual for guidance.

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Traffic Control

• Flag persons should be properly dressed – Bright orange, yellow, or yellow green vest

(reflective at night)– Hard hat– Flag (18” X 18”) or STOP / SLOW sign– Always stand on the berm next to the traffic you

are controlling or in the barricaded lane.

– UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES stand in the lane being used by traffic.

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Most Importantly, working near traffic requires approved high-

visibility clothing.

Check Your Knowledge

1. As an operator, how often should you inspect your piece of equipment?

a. the first day of the work week

b. once a month

c. each day prior to operation

d. never, the mechanics will do that

Check Your Knowledge

2. What should you do with a piece of equipment when the backup alarm is not functioning properly?

a. operate it with caution

b. operate it as usual

c. pull it from service

d. pull it from service, tag, and repair it

Check Your Knowledge

3. What should a ground worker do before approaching a piece of equipment and its operator?

a. make eye contact

b. signal the operator

c. wait for their approval

d. all of the above

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Check Your Knowledge

4. Which of the following about rollover protective structures is False?

A. ROPS are designed to withstand forces in a rollover.

B. ROPS do not prevent rollovers but are effective in preventing death or injury.

C. Wearing a seatbelt is not necessary when operating equipment with ROPS.

D. ROPS must meet standards and regulations to ensure adequate protection.

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Additional Information

• http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/chipper_machine.pdf

• OSH Answers: Equipment• OSH Answers: Riding Lawn Mowers• OSH Answers: Tractors• http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/

data_Hurricane_Facts/work_xone_traffic_safety.pdf

• http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/work_zone_safety.pdf