Mobile Equipment - No Room for Error

In a confrontation between you and mobile equipment, you will always lose. Most contractors, and many other
businesses, use mobile equipment every day, ranging widely in variety from wheeled vehicles, to large tracked equipment, down to bobcats. In fact, it’s rare for a jobsite to not have exposures from mobile equipment of some type.
Regardless of equipment size and speed, most accidents involving trucks or mobile equipment and workers on foot result in serious injuries or death.

People on foot in work zones often find themselves in close proximity to construction vehicles and equipment in limited
areas, which makes them susceptible to being struck by or caught between vehicles and construction equipment.
Construction equipment operators also risk injury or death from hazards associated with overturning, collision with other equipment or objects, being caught in running equipment, or contacting power lines.

Mobile equipment accidents basically involve two or more objects that attempt to occupy the same space at the same
time. The major conflicts that take place within any work zone that you need to be aware of at all times mainly include:

• Trucks or equipment vs. people on foot
  
• Truck vs. truck, or trucks vs. equipment
  
• Equipment vs. equipment
  
• Trucks or equipment vs. adjacent objects (power lines, trenches, traffic)

Key Practices

•  Only properly trained people can operate mobile equipment.
• Operators must never operate equipment until everyone is clear of the work zone.
• Always use the right equipment and never take a shortcut to save time
  
• Take a few minutes every day to assess hazards in work zones and take appropriate steps to eliminate or reduce hazards.
• Every person is responsible for working safely with and around equipment. Stay clear and never take a chance on the assumption that the operator knows where you are.
• Depending on the location of the cab and driver position, people often cannot be seen by the equipment operator or vehicle driver. Get help from spotters who in a safe position if needed.
• Don’t take a chance when working or walking around equipment. Remember, even a few seconds or a few feet is the difference between serious injury or death.
• Never walk around, under, or past any barricades or warning signs. They are there for a reason and an accident can occur in just a few seconds.
• Don’t forgot about other objects like power lines, traffic, or structures and maintain proper clearance at all times.
• When it’s safe to approach, let the operator know if you see equipment operating near a hazard, or if new hazards are noted. The operator may not realize how close they are to other people or objects.
• Always wear proper reflective clothing and vests to be seen.

See our related Safety Bulletin for more