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.

Examples of PME are:

• Forklifts;
• Pallet jacks
• Agricultural tractors
• Aerial lift platforms.
  
• Skid steers, loaders, backhoes, trenchers, graders

MOBILE EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS 

While property damage incidents are very common on construction sites due to mobile equipment operations, personal injuries to ground personnel are the most serious outcome of these operations. 

Operators of powered mobile equipment 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. 
  

• Do Not store flammable substances in the cab or carry loose articles. 
• Keep equipment in gear when going downhill. 
• Do Not work under or go under raised parts or perform repairs or maintenance unless the parts are blocked. 
• Do Not alter any safety device in any way that makes it ineffective. 
• Check the effectiveness of all safety devices before operating the equipment.

• Be familiar with the equipment and the operator’s manual.
• Inspect the equipment at the start of each shift.
• Adjust all side and back mirrors to help compensate for blind spots.
• Ensure workers are clear of equipment before operating.
• Acknowledge and allow safe passage to workers who alert you that they are approaching.
• Avoid operating equipment parallel to slopes or embankments.
• Turn off the engine and engage brakes before leaving equipment.
• Avoid overloading vehicles.

GROUND-WORKER AWARENESS AND SAFE WORK PRACTICES

Ground workers also play an important role to help minimize the risk of heavy equipment-related injury.

• Wear high-visibility clothing when working around heavy mobile equipment.
• Avoid positioning themselves in a blind spot or riding on moving equipment.
• Avoid setting up their work area near heavy mobile equipment. The operator may not see them if they are bending over to work or grab a tool.

BEST PRACTICES TO AVOID INCIDENTS BETWEEN MOBILE EQUIPMENT AND GROUND PERSONNEL

• Eliminate mobile equipment operation when possible. Obviously the less movement of this equipment equates to less chance an incident can occur. 
• Eliminate backing as much as possible during mobile equipment operations. 
• Separate ground personnel work areas or walking paths from mobile equipment operations.
• Remove ground personnel from a work area temporarily if mobile equipment has to complete work in the area.
• Utilize spotters when it is safe to do so to communicate with the operators of mobile equipment.

PREVENTION TIPS FOR WORKERS:

• Take all necessary training on the PME you will be operating.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 
• Ask questions if unsure of safe work procedures.
• Complete inspection.
• Wear seat belt. 
• Ensure that workers are clear of the equipment before operating it.
• When operating PME to transport materials, carry the load no higher than necessary to avoid limiting your vision.
• When entering a worksite, ensure you are aware of all PME operating around you; follow traffic control plan.
• Wear high visibility apparel when working with or near PME.
• Keep in eye contact with the operator when working near moving machinery or equipment. 
• Do not use your cell phone while operating PME.

FINAL WORD

Mobile equipment is necessary to get work done. It is critical for ground personnel to avoid complacency when working in the same area as heavy equipment and vehicles.