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]