Powered Mobile Equipment

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Mobile powered equipment are self-propelled vehicles that often assist in moving materials and equipment at work and are also often used as a work platform. Commonly used on constructions sites and in warehouses, mobile powered equipment when used improperly can be a danger to workers using them and others nearby.

Examples of powered mobile equipment include: [OHS General Regs., S. 33.3]

  • crawler tractors;
  • loaders;
  • tree harvesters, skidders and forwarders;
  • wheeled dozers;
  • motor graders, tandem rollers and compactors;
  • self-propelled wheeled scrapers;
  • agricultural and industrial tractors; and
  • off-highway equipment.

Employer's duties

Employers have the responsibility for ensuring that all powered mobile equipment meet the legislative requirements outlined below.

Employers must make sure that mobile equipment operators understand how to safely operate their equipment. Employers are responsible for making sure powered mobile equipment

Employers must provide proper instruction on how to use their equipment and its limits. Operators should be trained in what to do in case of a rollover.

Worker duties

Workers are responsible for:

  • following all established safety procedures and using all safety equipment such as seat belts and restraining devices where they are provided. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.6(3)]
  • making sure that the tire pressure does not exceed the manufacturer's rated capacity when initially inflating a tire. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.17(1)]
  • initially inflating a tire mounted on a split-rim or locking ring wheel only after the wheel assemble placed in a tire cage or has been restrained from containing flying parts in the event of split-rim or locking ring failure or tire rupture. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.17(2)]
  • Using an in-line pressure gauge and positive pressure control and inflating the tire from the safe position out of immediate danger area, where a clamp-on type connector is used. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.17(4)]

Operators of the powered mobile equipment are responsible for: [OHS General Regs., S. 33.3]

  • inspecting the equipment before the start of operation of each shift;
  • making sure passengers only ride in seats or in other areas designed to carry a person;
  • not operating the equipment until all air and hydraulic pressures are fully built up to the specified operating pressures;
  • when leaving the equipment unattended:
    • park it on level ground and set the brake;
    • make sure to lower the blades and bucket, or safely block them;
    • disengage the master clutch;
    • stop the engine;
    • remove the key; and
    • chock the wheels adequately where necessary to prevent sudden movement.
  • following the refuelling procedure to ensure safety;
  • making sure they do not bring gasoline, diesel oil or other substances into the cab of the equipment;
  • making sure there are no loose articles or equipment which might create a hazard;
  • making sure the load is adequately secured; and
  • keeping the equipment in gear when going downhill. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.16]

Other Safety Requirements When Using Powered Mobile Equipment Safely

Employer must ensure that powered mobile equipment: [OHS General Regs., S. 33.7]

  • have a working braking system that will be able to perform as expected;
  • have a warning sound system that can be manually operated;
  • have rear view mirrors or another way to allow the equipment to back up safely;
  • have an audible automatic backup alarm;
  • have headlights and backing lights for use in dark or in dimly lit areas;
  • have safeguard around its gears and moving parts;
  • have operator controls that are only useable from inside the cab, unless they were designed to be operated from outside;
  • have air and hydraulic lines, hoses, and components in safe working condition;
  • have wire ropes, drums, and sheaves inspected daily;
  • be lubricated only when the machine is at rest or per the manufacturer's directions; and
  • have a ladder or steps and handrail to easily and safely access the operator's station.

Designate a signaler when the operator’s view is obstructed. Determine, in advance of the work, the signals that will be used between the operator and designated worker and make sure both the operator and signaller know them. The signaler must make sure it is safe to proceed with a movement before signalling the operator to move. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.8]

Use designated walkways to separate pedestrian traffic from areas of operation of powered mobile equipment. Where it is not possible to provide designated walkways, employer must make sure that safe work procedures are used to minimize collisions in hazardous work areas including: [OHS General Regs., S. 33.9]

  • use of a traffic control system;
  • enforcement of speed limits for powered mobile equipment;
  • establishing a requirement for the pedestrian and the operator of the equipment to acknowledge each other's presence before the pedestrian moves through a hazardous work area; or
  • other effective means.

Using mobile powered equipment can create dust, creating a hazard to workers working nearby. Implement effective methods to keep the dust at a minimum level when visibility is a problem at your work. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.10]

Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS)

The employer must make sure that:

  • agricultural, construction, earthmoving, forestry and industrial machines are equipped with protective structures that meet the CSA Standard B352.0-16 Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS), Falling Object Protective Structures (FOPS), Operator Protective Structures (OPS), and Tip-Over Protective Structures (TOPS) for Mobile Machinery-General Canadian Requirements. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.4]
  • any modification or repairs to existing ROPs meet the requirements of the regulation and are certified by the modification design agency, the installing agency, or a professional engineer. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.5(1)]
  • certification information is made available to an officer on request. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.5(2)]

Seat Belts

Powered mobile equipment must have seat belts for everyone. Seat belts must meet the requirements from the Society of Automotive Engineers, where appropriate. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.6(1)]

Workers and others in powered mobile equipment must use seat belts and restraining devices. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.6(3)]

If the work process makes seat belts impracticable, the equipment must have shoulder belts, bars, gates, screen, or other restraining devices to prevent the operator and passengers from being thrown outside the rollover protective structures. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.6(2)]

Other Safety Requirements

Install buckets, forks, booms, hoists, and other load handling attachments as specified by the equipment manufacturer or as certified by a professional engineer. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.11]

Make sure that equipment is properly blocked when raised off the ground using jacks or hoists. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.12(a)]

Use mats or heavy planking to distribute the load on soft ground. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.12(b)]

Do not allow workers or others to work under or go under the raised parts of any equipment unless the parts are adequately blocked. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.13]

When repairing or maintaining work at the point of articulation on front end loaders or similar equipment, use lock bars to prevent movement at either end of the loader. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.14]

When using equipment on a slope or bank which could give way, stabilize the bank and distribute the load on the equipment. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.15]

Make sure trucks transporting workers have seats for the passengers and is enclosed on all sides. Do not allow the people to get on or off a moving truck. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.18]

Make sure no one is in the powered mobile equipment while it is being loaded by a crane or power shovel. [OHS General Regs., S. 33.19]

"powered mobile equipment" means self-propelled machinery designed to carry, push, pull, dig, compact, lift, stack, tier or move materials or to provide a work platform for employees and includes trucks. [OHS Regs. s. 33.1]
CSA is the Canadian Standards Association Group. Certain CSA standards are available for online viewing.

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Once you are logged in, click on the text below the "OHS Standards / View Access" graphic.

Click on the jurisdiction of your choice to see the CSA Standards as referenced in that legislation.

Standards may also be purchased from CSA Group: https://store.csagroup.org/

These requirements are listed in:
  • J386 Seat Belts for Construction Machines;
  • J117 Dynamic Test Procedure - Type 1 and Type 2 Seat Belt Assemblies;
  • J800C Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Assembly Installations.

    • General Regulations
    EC180/87

    Part 33 POWERED MOBILE EQUIPMENT

    Section 33.2 Responsibilities of employer

    33.2 The employer shall ensure that powered mobile equipment:

    (a) is maintained in a safe operating condition and that the operation, inspection, repair and maintenance of the equipment, and any necessary modifications to the equipment, are carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or, in the absence of those instructions, as approved by a professional engineer;

    (b) is used exclusively for the purposes for which the equipment is designed and equipped;

    (c) is operated only by competent persons.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.3 Responsibilities of operators

    33.3 Every operator of powered mobile equipment shall:

    (a) inspect the powered mobile equipment before the start of operation of each shift to ensure the equipment is in safe operating condition;

    (b) ensure that passengers do not ride on any part of the equipment not designed to carry passengers;

    (c) not set equipment in motion until all air and hydraulic pressures are fully built up to the specified operating pressures;

    (d) when leaving equipment unattended,

    (i) park it on level ground,

    (ii) set the brake,

    (iii) lower the blades and bucket or safely block them,

    (iv) disengage the master clutch,

    (v) stop the engine,

    (vi) remove the key; and

    (vii) where necessary, adequately chock the wheels to prevent inadvertent movement;

    (e) follow a safe refuelling procedure;

    (f) not store containers of gasoline, diesel oil or other substances that may constitute a hazard in the cab;

    (g) not carry on or in the equipment, loose articles or equipment that might create a hazard;

    (h) ensure the load is adequately secured.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.4 Protective structures

    33.4 The employer shall ensure that agricultural, construction, earthmoving, forestry, and industrial machines are equipped with protective structures that meet the CSA Standard B352.0-16 Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS), Falling Object Protective Structures (FOPS), Operator Protective Structures (OPS), and Tip-Over Protective Structures (TOPS) for Mobile Machinery - General Canadian requirements .

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.5 Modifications or repairs

    33.5 (1) The employer shall ensure that all modifications or repairs to existing Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS)

    (a) meet the requirements of this Part; and

    (b) are certified by the modification design agency, the installing agency or a professional engineer, as the case may be.

    (2) The employer shall ensure that certification information is made available to an officer, on request.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.6 Restraint equipment

    33.6 (1) The employer shall ensure that powered mobile equipment which has been fitted with Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) is equipped with seat belts for the operator and passengers which comply with or exceed the recommended practices of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

    (2) Where the nature or type of work renders the wearing of seat belts impracticable, the employer shall ensure that powered mobile equipment is equipped with shoulder belts, bars, gates, screens or other restraining devices designed to prevent the operator and passengers from being thrown outside the rollover protective structures.

    (3) Every operator of and passenger on powered mobile equipment shall use the seat belts and restraining devices provided while the equipment is in motion.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.7 Equipment requirements

    33.7 The employer shall ensure that powered mobile equipment:

    (a) has an adequate and fully operative braking system;

    (b) has a manually operated audible warning device;

    (c) has an adequate rear view mirror or other means of ensuring that the equipment can be safely backed up;

    (d) has an audible automatic back-up alarm;

    (e) has adequate headlights and backing lights when used after dark or in dimly lit areas;

    (f) has gears and moving parts that are adequately guarded;

    (g) has controls which cannot be operated from outside the cab unless the controls are designed to be operated from outside the cab;

    (h) has air and hydraulic lines, hoses and components maintained in safe operating condition;

    (i) has wire ropes, drums and sheaves that are inspected daily;

    (j) is lubricated only when the machine is at rest or as the manufacturer has expressly directed;

    (k) has safe and easy access to the operator’s station by means of a ladder or steps and a handrail.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.8 Signals

    33.8 (1) The employer shall designate a worker to give signals to an operator who is operating powered mobile equipment when the operator’s vision is obstructed and the operator shall use the equipment only on mutually agreed signals between the operator and the designated worker.

    (2) The designated worker referred to in subsection (1) shall ensure that it is safe to proceed with a movement before the worker signals the operator for the movement to proceed.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.9 Pedestrian traffic

    33.9 (1) Where practicable, designated walkways shall be used to separate pedestrian traffic from areas of operation of powered mobile equipment.

    (2) Where it is impracticable to provide designated walkways for pedestrian traffic, the employer shall ensure that safe work procedures are used to minimize the possibility of a collision in hazardous work areas, including

    (a) use of a traffic control system;

    (b) enforcement of speed limits for powered mobile equipment;

    (c) a requirement for the pedestrian and the operator of the powered mobile equipment to acknowledge each other’s presence before the pedestrian proceeds through a hazardous work area; or

    (d) other effective means.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.10 Dust

    33.10 Where work is carried out in an area where dust may create a hazard to the health of workers, the employer shall take adequate measures to minimize the release of dust to protect workers from the risk of damage to their health.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.11 Load handling attachments

    33.11 Buckets, forks, booms, hoists and other load handling attachments shall only be installed on powered mobile equipment as specified by the equipment manufacturer or where certified by a professional engineer for use on the equipment.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.12 Raised equipment

    33.12 The employer shall ensure that

    (a) powered mobile equipment which is raised from the ground by means of jacks or hoists is adequately blocked; and

    (b) mats or heavy planking are used to distribute the load on soft ground.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.13

    33.13 The employer shall ensure that any person or worker does not work under or go under the raised parts of any powered mobile equipment unless the raised parts of the equipment are adequately blocked.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.14 Signals

    33.14 Where repair or maintenance work is carried out at the point of articulation on front end loaders or similar powered mobile equipment, the employer shall ensure that lock bars are used to prevent movement of either end of the loader or similar equipment.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.15 Precautions on slope, bank

    33.15 Where powered mobile equipment is used on a slope or bank which may give way, the employer shall ensure that adequate precautions are taken to stabilize the slope or bank, as the case may be, and to distribute the load of the equipment.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.16 Use of gears

    33.16 The operator of powered mobile equipment shall keep the equipment in gear when going downhill.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.17 Tire pressure

    33.17 (1) When initially inflating a tire, a worker shall ensure that the tire pressure does not exceed the manufacturer’s rated capacity.

    (2) A worker shall initially inflate a tire mounted on a split-rim or locking ring wheel only after the wheel assembly has been placed in a tire cage or has been otherwise restrained to contain flying parts in the event of split-rim or locking ring failure or tire rupture.

    (3) The employer shall ensure that a clamp-on type connector is used to inflate split-rim and locking ring wheels.

    (4) Where a clamp-on type connector is used to inflate a tire,

    (a) the employer shall ensure that the worker uses an in-line pressure gauge and positive pressure control and inflates the tire from a safe position out of the immediate danger area; and

    (b) the worker shall inflate the tire from the safe position.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.18 Truck seats

    33.18 (1) The employer shall ensure that a truck used for the transportation of workers has seats and is enclosed on all sides.

    (2) No person shall get on or off trucks, or be permitted to get on or off trucks, which are in motion.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    Section 33.19

    33.19 A worker shall not remain in or on the cab of powered mobile equipment while the equipment is being loaded by a crane or power shovel.

    [EC2021-126, s. 29]

    33.20 - 33.24 Repealed. [EC2021-126, s. 29]