Equipment Operation

Job Description

This guideline describes operating vehicles and equipment on construction projects.

Hazard Identification

Personal Injury

• Crushing, muscle pull/strain, pinch points, slip, trip and fall.

Vehicle/Equipment

• Equipment accidents/incidents, struck-by.

Environmental

• Visibility, dust, weather.

Blind Spots

• Know the Blind Spots. (Blind Spots indicated in Shaded Areas)

Practices

1. 1. Pre-Job Planning
      1.1 Operators of licensed units or vehicles must have a valid driver’s license.
      1.2 Operators must be trained and competent for units or vehicles they are operating.
      1.3 Equipment operators must be familiar with and adhere to Traffic Accommodation Plans and Work Zone Traffic Control Plans.
      1.4 Operator manuals and repair manuals should be readily accessible by operators and maintenance personnel.

1. 1. Circle Check
      2.1 Complete circle check and documentation daily.
      2.2 Each operator must conduct a circle check on equipment being operated to detect equipment deficiencies and ensure that safety related defects and other necessary repairs or deficiencies are corrected prior to operating the unit.
      2.3 The operator should only perform repairs or adjustments that they can perform competently and have other repairs performed by a qualified/competent person.
      2.4 Ensure safety devices are in good working order.
      2.5 Ensure all horns, lights and back up alarms are in good working condition.
      2.6 When repairs or maintenance are performed on site, you must ensure that the operator’s controls are made inoperable so that the equipment cannot be moved by another worker while repairs are being made (i.e. Lock Out / Tag Out system).
      2.7 The supervisor shall be responsible to ensure daily pre-shift equipment checks are performed and verify that any problems are corrected.
      2.7.1 Because equipment may be inspected and operated by various people, the supervisor must be responsible for ensuring that inspections are performed daily, that necessary repairs are made, that scheduled maintenance is performed, and that records of all inspections and repairs are maintained.

1. Equipment Operation
   3.1 All powered mobile equipment must be equipped with rollover protective structures (ROPS) – as per OH&S Regulations, Section 161.
   3.2 Seat belts must be worn during operation of all powered mobile equipment.
   3.3 Train equipment operators in safe work practices to prevent equipment rollovers.  Training could include but is not limited to:
   3.3.1 Maintain proper tire pressure.
   3.3.2 Tipping ratio of the equipment (center of gravity).
   3.3.3 Know material density, surface stability and terrain of work area and especially recognize when roadway shoulders are soft.
   3.3.4 Use spotters during loading and unloading of equipment from transport trailers and ensure that safe communication procedures are utilized (i.e. hand signals or radio communication).
   3.3.5 Train operators in awareness of what to do in the event of a roll over.
   3.4 Equipment operators shall set parking brakes when leaving equipment unattended.
   3.4.1 When equipment is parked on an incline, chock wheels in addition to setting parking brakes.
   3.4.2 Chocks should be of sufficient size and configuration to immobilize the equipment.
   3.5 To better delineate vehicles and equipment, lights and/or red and white reflective tape or reflectors shall be placed on equipment.
   3.6 Always obey flag person, checker and signaler/guide – if more than one person is signaling, stop your vehicle and determine which one to obey.
   3.7 When equipment remaining at the work site is not needed it shall be parked off the road surface, but equipment should not be leaving the right of way.

Personal Protective Equipment

As required by Contractor Safety Policy.

Tools / Equipment

As required by Contractor Safety Policy.

Related Safe Operating Guidelines

• Backing Up
• Working around Overhead Power Lines
• Working Around Ground Workers
• Pilot Vehicle Operation
• Sweeping Operatio