Equipment Operation Procedures

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Martha Mitchell
6 years ago
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1 Procedures Purpose It is the policy of this company to permit only trained and authorized personnel to operate construction equipment. These procedures are applicable to both daily operators, and those who only occasionally use such equipment. The written Heavy Procedures for Construction establish guidelines to be followed whenever any of our contractors work with heavy equipment on our job sites. The rules are established to: Provide a safe working environment, Govern operator use of heavy equipment, and Ensure proper care and maintenance of heavy equipment. These procedures establish uniform requirements designed to ensure that heavy equipment operation practices are communicated to and understood by the affected employees. These requirements are also designed to ensure that procedures are in place to protect the health and safety of all employees. Contractors shall also comply with the applicable requirements of: Standard or Regulation: ANSI B SAE J SAE J SAE J SAE J319b-1971 SAE J Name: Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks Trucks and Wagons Self-Propelled Graders Front End Loaders and Dozers Self-Propelled Scrapers Seat Belts for Construction Equipment SAE J333a-1970 Operator Protection for Agricultural and Light Industrial Tractors SAE J321a-1970 Fenders for Pneumatic-Tired Earth moving Haulage Equipment 29 CFR (b)(4) General Safety and Health Provisions 29 CFR (l) Powered industrial trucks Page 1

2 List of Equipment Construction equipment used at our work sites may include the following: 1. Loaders and Backhoes 2. Hi-Lifts 3. Skidsteers 4. Earth Moving Equipment 5. Other miscellaneous construction related equipment. All equipment used will comply with the manufacturer's specifications and limitations at all times. All attachments used with construction equipment will not exceed the capacity, rating, or scope recommended by the manufacturer. Modifications of, or additions to this equipment, which affect the capacity or safe operation, are strictly forbidden without notifying the manufacturer and obtaining written approval. Unauthorized modifications can cause accidents and fatalities. It is our policy to notify the manufacturer and obtain written approval from them for any proposed modification. If modifications or changes are made, the capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals on the equipment are changed accordingly, to reflect the new specifications to which the equipment can perform. In no case is the original safety factor of the equipment be reduced. Pre-Operational Procedures A thorough inspection program can forecast maintenance needs or potential equipment failures or malfunctions. The lack of such a program could result in serious deterioration of the equipment, which might lead to excessive replacement or repair charges as well as increased potential for accidents. K.R. Miller Contractors, Inc. requires operators to perform pre-operational equipment inspections on all types of construction equipment prior to the beginning of each shift in which those pieces of equipment will be used. Operators are to complete their daily inspections according to the manufacturer s recommendations. These inspection procedures will vary by piece of equipment. The operator must be trained to the level of "competent person" for the equipment he or she operates. The operator walks around the equipment looking for defects or problem Page 2

3 areas. Components that have a direct bearing on the safety of the piece of equipment and whose status can change from day to day with use must be inspected daily, and when possible, observed during operation for any defects that could affect safe operation. Pre-Operational Site Activity and Inspection - a site inspection to locate site features or activities that may pose a potential hazard during operation of the piece of equipment Pre-Operational (Daily) Walk Around Inspection - a walk around the exterior of the piece of construction equipment, to assess the safety level of attachments, and all other exterior features. Pre-Start Up (In Cab) Inspection - Check for necessary paperwork, labeling of all switches and controls as to proper function, working order of all lights and other electronic equipment. Initial - upon start-up use each shift, ascertain that the piece of equipment is operating as it should and functioning properly. If any defect or problem is encountered during the pre-operational inspection, the piece of equipment is to be posted appropriately as out of service and tk.r. Miller Contractors, Inc. is to be notified immediately. Remove the key from the piece of equipment and place a DANGER DO NOT OPERATE tag on its steering wheel or control lever. The defect or problem discovered must be identified thoroughly in writing, so that the Maintenance Department personnel can pinpoint the trouble immediately and repair it promptly. Operating Procedures 1. Always stay within the rated load capacity and working radius and specifications of the piece of equipment being used. Under adverse field conditions operators must reduce the load capacity until it is determined the piece of equipment can safely handle the load in question. 2. Only qualified and properly designated people shall operate construction equipment, for which they have been trained. 3. All personnel are to be kept clear of moving equipment or parts of the equipment. 4. No one except personnel necessary for operation are allowed on the equipment when it is in operation. 5. Required periodic inspections include a monthly and an annual inspection. 6. The monthly periodic inspection interval can vary depending on equipment use and site conditions. Page 3

4 7. Inspection records (certification records) of the inspected piece of equipment shall be maintained monthly on critical items in use (as applicable) such as: Brakes; Hooks; and Ropes. 8. The monthly inspection records must include: The date of inspection; The signature of the person who performed the inspection; and The serial number, or other identifier of the critical component. 9. The most recent monthly inspection (certification) record must be kept readily available for review and maintained on file until a new one is prepared. 10. The monthly inspection includes those items listed for daily inspections as well as a more detailed and focused inspection of all moving parts and equipment. 11. Equipment is not to be driven up to anyone standing in front of fixed objects. 12. All body parts (hands, arms, head, feet, legs, etc.) are to be kept inside the operator compartment of the piece of equipment, unless a designated hand signal determined to be safe requires extension of a body part outside of the operator compartment. 13. Operators may not block access to fire or emergency exit ways, fire equipment or electrical panels. 14. Under all travel conditions, operate the piece of equipment at a speed that will permit it to be brought to a stop in a safe manner. 15. Stunt driving and horse play are prohibited when operating pieces of construction equipment. 16. Operators are required to report ALL equipment accidents involving personnel, building structures and equipment to the Safety Director, the same day. 17. The operator shall handle loads only within the capacity rating of the equipment. 18. Equipment may not be used for any purpose other than for what it was designed. 19. Construction equipment may not be started or any of its functions or attachments operated from any position other than from the designated operator's position. 20. If the equipment is equipped with seat belts or other restraining devices, the operator must use these devices. 21. The operator shall look 360 before traveling with any construction equipment, especially when backing up. 22. The operator shall yield the right of way to pedestrians at all times. 23. Operators shall slow down and sound audible warning device (horn) at any locations where vision is obstructed. 24. The operator must keep a clear view of the path of travel and observe for other traffic, personnel and safe clearances. Page 4

5 25. When ascending or descending a grade or incline the operator must proceed slowly and with caution. 26. A piece of equipment is considered to be ATTENDED when the operator is less than 25 feet from the equipment which remains in his view and hearing range. Before leaving the operator's position, the operator shall: Bring equipment to a complete stop. Place directional controls in neutral. Apply the parking brake, if applicable. 26. A piece of equipment is considered to be UNATTENDED when the operator is more than 25 feet from the equipment which remains in his view, or whenever the operator leaves the equipment and it is not in view regardless of distance from the equipment. Before leaving the operator's position in this instance, the operator shall: Follow the previous procedures; and Stop the engine or turn off the controls. Apply the parking brake, if applicable. 27. The operator shall use the following backup procedure and sequence: Pivot at the waist and inspect the area of operation in the rear of the equipment, watching for obstructions and pedestrians. Blow the horn to alert any pedestrians that may or may not be visible. Engage the directional lever to the reverse position. 28. When using equipment that swings around it s axis, such as a backhoe, we will mark off the swing radius area, to warn others of the hazard of such things as the counterweight swinging around and possibly injuring someone. Training Program Under no circumstances shall an a worker operate a piece of construction equipment until he/she has successfully completed an equipment operation training program. This includes all new operators regardless of claimed previous experience. The training program should include classroom instruction and operational training on each specific piece of equipment to be utilized by the worker in his/her work area. Page 5

Suitability of Work Equipment

Suitability of Work Equipment These regulations came into effect on the 5th December 1998 and replace PUWER 1992. They cover almost all equipment used at work, including tool box tools such as hammers, knives etc. They also cover machinery