Working Around Heavy Equipment

This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.

• Struck-by equipment
• Caught-between equipment and stationary objects
• Tip-overs or rollovers
• Noise
• Vibration
• Flying debris
• Falling objects
• Falls from equipment
• Overhead hazards
• Weather conditions

• Back-up alarms
• Barriers, work zone delineation

Administrative:

• Spotter (when necessary)
• Traffic management
• Operator training and competency
• Communication (radios, hand signals, spotters)
• Pre-use and periodic equipment inspections

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Basic PPE: CSA/ANSI approved safety footwear, High-visibility vest, hard hat

• Ensure that Operators are trained in the use and maintenance requirements of the equipment they are operating.
• Verify that the equipment has been inspected as per manufacturer’s recommendations and/or Qualico requirements.
• Stay away from blind spots and the swing radius of the equipment. If you cannot see the Operator, they cannot see you.
• Ensure that, where possible, exclusion zones are flagged around the area where heavy equipment operates.
• Ensure all Workers wear high visibility garments when working with and around heavy equipment.
• Ensure the Operator walks around the equipment before moving it or is using spotters when operating in congested areas or close to utility lines.
• Stop work if equipment’s safety devices do not work or are not used (back up alarms, outriggers, etc.).
• Stop work in adverse weather conditions (wind, lightning).

Do not

• Allow untrained or unauthorized personnel to operate heavy equipment.
• Work or allow Workers to work under a suspended or overhead load.
• Enter or allow Workers to enter in the swing radius or exclusion zone.
• Authorize equipment to work on unstable ground or steep slopes.
• Allow lifting or passing loads over Workers, vehicles or occupied homes.
• Workers to ride or be lifted by equipment, unless the equipment has been engineered/designed for this and they are wearing the appropriate fall protection PPE.
• Workers to ride or be lifted by equipment, unless the equipment has been engineered/designed for this and they are wearing the appropriate fall protection PPE.

• The Operator must follow manufacturers’ operating and maintenance guidelines.
• Operator must inspect the equipment prior to operation to ensure that all lights audible alarms and safety devices are working properly.
• The Operator must use 3-points of contact getting on or off heavy equipment.
• The Operator must walk around the equipment to identify hazards or use a spotter when working in congested areas.
• Operator and Workers on the ground must wear hard hat, high-vis clothing, and safety footwear.
• The Operator and Workers on the ground must maintain a clear line of sight when operating in proximity or entering each other’s path.
• Workers on the ground must stay away from blind spots and the equipment’s swing radius.
• Workers on the ground should wait for the equipment to come to a full stop before approaching.

Do not

• Jump off heavy equipment (Operator).
• Leave the equipment running if you are leaving the controls (Operator).
• Swing the boom, raise the load, or drive too close to any power lines or other overhead obstruction (Operator).
• Operate the equipment if the ground is not stable or the slope is exceeding the manufacturer’s recommendations (Operator).
• Bypass safety features or alarms (Operator).
• Allow workers to ride or stand on equipment/loads (Operator).
• Use cell phones, headphones, or any device that distracts you (Operator and Workers on the ground).
• Walk up or approach the equipment from behind (Workers on the ground).