Motor Vehicles and Earthmoving Equipment on Construction Sites

Blocking, parking and tires

• Heavy machinery or parts held up by slings, hoists or jacks are blocked or cribbed before anyone works under or between them.
• Blades, buckets, dump bodies and similar parts are fully lowered or blocked when being repaired or not in use, with controls in neutral, motors stopped and brakes set unless the work requires otherwise.
• When parked, the parking brake is set; on inclines, the wheels are also chocked.
• Use a safety tire rack or cage when inflating, mounting or dismounting tires on split rims or rims equipped with locking rings or similar devices.
• Equipment left unattended at night adjacent to a highway in normal use or to construction areas where work is in progress is marked with lights or reflectors, or with barricades equipped with lights or reflectors.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(3)(i)

Power lines

Unless the lines are deenergized and visibly grounded at the point of work, or insulating barriers that are not part of or attached to the equipment are erected to prevent physical contact with the lines:

• For lines rated 50 kV or below, keep a minimum 10 feet between the lines and any part of the equipment or load (more for higher voltages).
• In transit with no load and boom lowered, keep at least 4 feet for lines under 50 kV, and more for higher voltages.
• Where the operator cannot easily judge clearance, a designated person watches and gives timely warning.
• Treat any overhead wire as energized until the owner or utility says otherwise and it is visibly grounded.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)

Shift checks and backing

These rules cover vehicles operating on an off-highway jobsite not open to public traffic. They do not apply to equipment covered by the earthmoving and material handling rules in 1926.602.

• Check each vehicle at the beginning of each shift: service brakes (including trailer connections), parking brake, emergency stopping system, tires, horn, steering, coupling devices, seat belts, operating controls and safety devices, plus lights, reflectors, windshield wipers, defrosters, fire extinguishers and similar equipment where it is necessary. Correct all defects before use.
• A vehicle with an obstructed view to the rear may be used only if it has a reverse signal alarm audible above the surrounding noise, or it is backed up only when an observer signals that it is safe.
• Vehicles have service, emergency and parking brake systems maintained in operable condition, at least two headlights and two taillights when visibility conditions warrant, brake lights, an audible warning device at the operator's station, and seat belts.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.601(a) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(14) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(9) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(2)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(2)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(3)

Dump trucks and hauling

• Haulage vehicles loaded by cranes, shovels or loaders have a cab shield or canopy to protect the operator from falling material.
• Tools and material carried with employees are secured. Vehicles carrying employees have firmly secured seats adequate for the number of employees carried.
• Dump trucks have a permanently attached body support that locks in position to prevent accidental lowering during maintenance or inspection.
• Operating levers for hoisting or dumping devices have a latch or other device to prevent accidental starting or tripping, and tailgate trip handles keep the operator in the clear.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(10) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(12) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(11)

Earthmoving equipment

• Covers scrapers, loaders, crawler or wheel tractors, bulldozers, off-highway trucks, graders, agricultural and industrial tractors and similar equipment.
• Seat belts are provided (except stand-up equipment and equipment without ROPS or adequate canopy). Tractors used with backhoes or breakers still need seat belts for the operator.
• Equipment is not moved on an access roadway or grade unless it is built and maintained to handle that equipment safely. Emergency ramps and berms must restrain runaway vehicles.
• Bidirectional machines (rollers, compactors, loaders, dozers) have a horn used as needed when moving in either direction.
• Equipment with an obstructed rear view may not be used in reverse unless a reverse alarm is operating or an employee signals it is safe.
• Hazardous scissor points on front-end loaders are guarded.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.602(a) · 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(2)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(2)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.602(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(3)(ii)

Industrial trucks on site

• Lift trucks show their rated capacity where the operator can see it, and it is not exceeded. No modifications affecting capacity without the manufacturer's written approval.
• No riders unless authorized, and then in a safe place provided for riding.
• Lifting personnel requires a safety platform firmly secured to the carriage or forks, a way for the people on it to shut off power, and falling-object protection as needed.
• Powered industrial truck operator training in construction follows the same rules as general industry (1910.178(l)).

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.602(d) · 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(viii)(B) · 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(viii)(C)