Powered Mobile Equipment

Operating and working near powered mobile equipment can potentially be very dangerous. As a result, it must only be operated by competent employees. Operators must understand the safety requirements when operating powered mobile equipment, for both their own safety and that of others working around the equipment.

What is powered mobile equipment?

Powered mobile equipment is self-propelled off-highway equipment used for construction, mining, agriculture, forestry and other purposes. It includes front-end loaders, dozers, backhoes, excavators, skidders, forwarders, tree-harvesters, scrapers, compactors, rollers, graders, agricultural tractors and industrial tractors, but does not include industrial lift trucks or mobile cranes.

When operating powered mobile equipment, the best measure an operator can take to avoid injury or death in the event of a rollover or collision is to wear the seatbelt. In the event of a rollover, the rollover protective structures (ROPS) will act as a protective box around you and the seatbelt keeps you inside the box.

As an employer, you must:

  • Ensure that the powered mobile equipment has the necessary equipment to protect employees from flying, intruding or falling objects
  • Ensure powered mobile equipment is equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS), and that all ROPS equipment meets the required criteria.
  • Ensure they are fitted with seat belts, or other restraining devices where seat belts are impracticable
  • Ensure that operators use the seat belts or restraining devices
  • Ensure that powered mobile equipment is
    • Used only for the purposed it is designed and equipped.
    • Operated by a competent employee.
    • Equipped with adequate brakes, a manually operated horn, rear-view mirror (or other means to ensure safe backing up), automatic audible back-up alarm, guarded gears and moving parts, and three point contact to access the operator's cab.
    • Equipped with adequate headlights and tail lights when used in dimly lit areas or after dark.
    • Equipped with controls that cannot be operated from the outside of the cab (unless designed in that way).
  • Ensure that any load on the equipment is adequately secured.
  • Designate an employee to signal to an operator who is backing up and is unable to see clearly.
  • Ensure that all aspects of the powered mobile equipment are maintained in safe working condition, defective parts are replaced or repaired, wire ropes (and drums and sheaves) are inspected visually every day by the operator, and physically by a competent person weekly.
  • Ensure any raised parts are adequately blocked and no employee works under or goes under the equipment unless the parts are adequately blocked.
  • Ensure that any safety device is not altered in any way that makes it ineffective.
  • Ensure the operator checks the effectiveness of all safety devices before operating the equipment.
  • Ensure adequate actions are taken when working on a slope or bank, pushing materials into a body of water, pit, excavation or other cavity or frozen body of water.

While the employer is ultimately responsible for all the provisions mentioned above, the supervisor has a vital role to play in the safety of their teams. As a supervisor, you must:

  • Acquaint your employees with the hazards and control measures associated with their work
  • Provide the information and instruction necessary to ensure their health and safety
  • Enforce company safety rules, programs, codes of practice and procedures, including ensuring employees comply with the requirements below.

As an operator of powered mobile equipment, you must:

  • Ensure that nobody rides on any part of the equipment not designed to carry passengers.
  • Use the seatbelts or restraining devices while the equipment is moving.
  • Follow safe operating procedures, including air and hydraulic operation, and refuelling.
  • When leaving equipment unattended, place it in a safe state by doing the following:
    • Park on level ground.
    • Set the brake.
    • Lower blades/buckets to the ground.
    • Disengage the master clutch.
    • Stop the engine.
    • Remove the key.
  • Not store flammable substances in the cab or carry loose articles.
  • Keep equipment in gear when going downhill.
  • Not work under or go under raised parts or perform repairs or maintenance unless the parts are adequately blocked.
  • Not alter any safety device in any way that makes it ineffective.
  • Check the effectiveness of all safety devices before operating the equipment