Skid Steer Safe Practices

1. While skid steers tend to be small in size, they can pose great danger to the operator and people working in close proximity to the machine. Common exposures are struck-by, crushed-by, tip overs, rollovers, and pinch points.

2. The most important safety of any mobile equipment is proper training. Operators must go through safety and operations training before they can operate. Retraining is also important as bad habits can be learned over time.

3. Conduct a visual and physical equipment inspection daily or after each shift when used on multiple shifts.

4. Visually inspect safety devices such as the roll-over protection system, safety guards, seatbelt, interlock system, and any other specific safety devices specific to the machine being operated.

5. During the physical inspection, check all controls for proper operation. Never operate equipment that malfunctions or shows signs of damage during inspection.

6. To prevent struck-by injuries, ensure the backup alarm on your skid steer works properly. If it doesn’t work, tag the machine out until the backup alarm has been repaired.

7. Never bypass or modify safety devices or guards, and if any of these safety features have been modified, bypassed, or damaged, the machine should be tagged out of service until repairs are made.

8. Ensure the operator's cab is free of dirt, grease, and objects that could interfere with the safe operation of the skid steer.

9. If deficiencies are found during the inspection that would prevent safe operation, tag the equipment out of service until repairs can be made.

10. Be aware of other people on the job site and use barricades, safety cones, caution tape, and other work zone barriers to notify others of potential exposures.

11. When entering a skid steer you must follow manufacturer instructions, but common procedure is to enter only when the engine is turned off and all attachments are lowered to the ground. Face the seat with both hands on the grab bars, never use the control levers in order to pull yourself into the machine, and to use the steps made for entering.

12. To prevent rollover accidents, evenly distribute the load on the attachment, secure unstable loads, lift loads slowly, carry loads close to the ground, operate at a speed that is appropriate for site conditions, drive slowly on slopes, keep the heavy end of the loader pointed uphill, avoid holes and soft spots in the ground, and stay clear of steep edges.

13. Never start the skid steer from outside the machine. Always operate the machine from a seated position inside the cab.

14. Never overload the skid steer. It is the operator's responsibility to know and understand the capabilities of the skid steer and how much it can safely lift. Refer to the manufacturer guidelines for information about safe working limits of equipment.

15. Always wear your seatbelt or ensure the restraint bar is properly engaged if the skid steer is equipped with one.

16. Skid steers are designed for one operator only. Never carry passengers in the cab and never lift personnel in the bucket or other attachments.

17. In high traffic areas, use a spotter to help direct you to avoid blind spots. Maintain constant communication via radios or hand signals, and make eye contact with others around you. Always identify communication methods prior to the start of operations.

18. No one is authorized to stand under a raised arm or bucket of a skid steer.

19. Ensure the bucket or attachment is fully lowered to the ground before exiting the skid steer.

20. Always read the owner's manual and follow manufacturer guidelines for operation.

21. In what other ways can we protect ourselves from potential exposures and injuries?

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