Safety Tip: Skid Steer Loaders-Crushing

Reprinted from GRAIN JOURNAL May/June 2018 Issue

Skid-steer loaders are useful tools in many industries; however, their use does not come without risk. Skid-steer loaders have caused numerous injuries and fatalities across many types of industries.

One of the most common causes of skid-steer-related incidents involves workers being crushed by moving parts.

Eliminate Crushing-Related Injuries

The following safety practices can eliminate crushing related injuries:

• Familiarize yourself with the information contained within the operator’s manual and on the equipment’s labels. These labels warn of the location of pinch points, hot components, crushing hazards, hot components and liquids under pressure.

• Perform a pre-use inspection to include elements such as tires, cleanliness of the cab, safety belt or bar, grab handles, steps, footholds, attachment connections, fluid hoses, etc.

• Never enter or exit the loader under a raised attachment.

• Never start the engine from outside the cab.

• Always fasten the safety belt and lower the safety bar when in the operator seat.

• Never climb into the cab with the engine running, as this action may accidentally engage the controls.

• Never lean out of the cab while the engine is running; keep your body within the cab at all times.

• Never lift attachments over a person, because loads may shift, fall, or drop suddenly, placing workers in danger.

• Never work under a raised attachment unless the lift arms are secured. Refer to the operator’s manual for information on the equipment’s lift-arm support devices.

• Perform maintenance work with the engine off, key removed and secured, parking brake set, wheels blocked, and attachments lowered or supported properly.

Source: Joe Mlynek, president of Safety Services LLC, Gates Mills, OH; joe.mlynek@progressivesafety.us, and content creation expert for Safety Made Simple Inc., Olathe, KS; joe@safetymadesimple.com