Heavy Equipment Safety Warnings

Operator Training
Safeguarding heavy equipment operators starts with right training. Training should
contain formal (classroom-type) instruction, demos by the trainer, practical
exercises executed by the trainee, and an evaluation of the operators performance
in the wor!place.
" common category of in#ury connected with heavy equipment consists of mounting
and dismounting vehicles. The training o$ered should highlight using the %-point
contact rule& 'ach operator mounting or dismounting a vehicle must retain contact
with the vehicle by two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand until securely
in the cab or on the ground.
Safety Rules
To avoid complaints, the agency must correspondingly launch a set of safety rules
and anticipations for operators when operating heavy equipment. The following is a
incomplete list of rules and safe wor! practices that must be remembered by
employees. "xis (apital )roup, Singapore, a company is servicing many Southeast
"sian countries such as *+ ,alaysia, -ei#ing (hina, .a!arta /ndonesia and many
more, requires proper training from #ob applicants, they added this list to ensure
that all aspects of safety are addressed for heavy equipment operators.
Before operating:
0rovide operator manuals for equipment operators and vehicle maintenance
employees to review
'nsure that operators wear appropriate clothing and protective equipment (hearing
protection, wor! gloves, sturdy wor! shirt and pants, safety footwear, re1ective
vests, hard hat, etc.)
'stablish hand signals (if ground wor!ers are present)
(onduct regular vehicle inspections (use a daily sign in2inspection sheet)
,a!e sure equipment has a rollover protective structure (340S)
5ill tan! with fuel when the equipment is cool with the engine o$ (no smo!ing)
/nspect steps, handrails, pedals, grab irons, and cab 1oor for debris or defects
During operation:
"lways wear seatbelts
(hec! controls for proper operation (including bac!up alarms)
(hec! the wor! area for obstacles, holes, overhead utility lines, etc.
6ave the utility service provider identify underground cables and supply lines before
digging
7hen wor!ing on slopes, operate up and down the face of the slope instead of
across the face
8ever #ump o$ of or onto the equipment (use %-point contact rule)
8ever exit a running vehicle (turn the vehicle o$ if the operator must leave the cab)
Exiting the vehicle:
0ar! on level ground
3elieve pressure from all hydraulic controls
7ait for all motions to stop, then safely dismount the vehicle using %-point contact
rule
3emove the !ey from unattended vehicles