FACE Fatal Facts: Skid-Steer Loaders

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  How do these fatalities occur? Skid-steer loaders are used in many different work settings. These small and versatile wheel loaders are potentially dangerous if operated or maintained improperly. Between 1992 and 1997, 37 workers in 10 states died while using or maintaining skidsteer loaders. In addition, a fatality of this type recently occurred in Washington State. A 33-year-old garage mechanic was crushed to death while performing maintenance on a skid-steer loader. He had propped up the bucket-lift arm assembly with a piece of scrap metal to conduct his work. The scrap metal failed, allowing the bucket-lift arm assembly to fall and crush him between the bucket and the frame of the loader. Use only lift arm support devices approved by the manufacturer of the skid-steer loader. Skid-steer loader safety tips: Getting in and out- Enter and exit the equipment according to the manufacturer's warnings and instructions. 1. Park on level ground. 2. Before leaving the seat, lower the lift arms and attachment flat on the ground. 3. Turn off the engine. 4. Engage the parking brake. 5. Move controls until locked (if applicable). Control levers - 1. Use the loaders' controls only from the operator's position. 2. Do not use the controls as grab handles. Maintenance, inspection, and operation - 1. Never perform maintenance or service under a raised lift arm unless a manufacturer-approved lift arm support is used properly. 2. Never modify, bypass, or remove lift arm support devices, control interlocks, seat belts, safety bars, roll-over protection structure (ROPS), or side-screens. 3. Always use a seatbelt and keep your head, arms, and legs inside of the cab while operating the loader. 4. Maintain and inspect equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. 5. Prior to raising the lift arms and cage, support the skid-steer loader according to manufacturer's recommendations. Training - 1. Read and follow the manufacturer's operating and service procedures specified in the manuals and on machine decals. 2. All operators and service personnel must be trained in the safe use and maintenance of the equipment and demonstrate competency in these activities. 3. Obtain training courses and videos from equipment dealers or the manufacturer. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Automobiles Maintenance Occupational Health Safety Staff Development
• Keywords:
  Equipment Design Equipment Maintenance Equipment Operation Equipment Operators Hazards Maintenance Workers Motor Vehicles Rollover Protective Structures ROPS Safety Belts Safety Education Safety Measures Safety Practices Skid-steer Loaders Training

  More +
• Series:
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE)
• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20051365
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 47-1-1998, 1998 Mar; :1-3
• Contact Point Address:
  SHARP Program, Washington Department of Labor & Industries, PO Box 44330, Olympia, WA 98504-4330
• Email:
  SHARP@Lni.wa.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1998
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  19970701
• Source Full Name:
  FACE fatal facts: skid-steer loaders
• End Date:
  20060831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:278905a97ebf66bd9262c27284f312b6e353cc3edbe76df1b142829edcd7eb99b74959de0087c9025172f635883105a15b2b22106c052991d9d4e27d7bee207f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/228713/cdc_228713_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 153.96 KB ]