Best Safety Practices for Equipment Operators

To lower the risk of your workers encountering a dangerous situation with a skid-steer loader or telescopic forklift, ask them to follow these protocols: 

• Read the operator’s manual—different types of skid-steer loaders and forklifts may have different operating procedures.
• Conduct a pre-start inspection before operating the equipment—inspect safety features, tire pressure, engine, fuel/fluid levels, etc., to ensure the machine is in safe operating condition.
• Understand the dangers the machine could impose—know where to stand when outside of the cab, how to get into and out of the cab and what to do when inside the cab. Also, understand the safety features.
• Find out each machine’s weight shift abilities—depending on the load, the machine’s balance and center of gravity can be greatly affected, and operators must know how to react and control the weight shift.
• Protect yourself—wear appropriate PPE, including proper footwear, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, a high-visibility safety vest, respirators, etc.
• Be aware of the surroundings—operators are not only responsible for their own safety but also for the safety of others around the jobsite.
• Be patient with the machine—moving large objects or loose materials too fast and driving at high speeds may increase the chance of accidents and injuries.