Struck-By Hazards: Vehicles and Equipment for Construction Workers

When a vehicle or machine may back up

Many trucks and machines cannot see what is behind them. The rules set what must be in place before they back up.

Machines that move both ways, such as rollers, compactors, front-end loaders and bulldozers, must have a horn you can tell apart from the surrounding noise, used as needed when the machine moves in either direction.

Flagging in traffic is a separate job: signaling by flaggers, including their warning garments, must follow Part 6 of the MUTCD.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.201(a)

Spotting near overhead power lines

Equipment working near power lines must keep a minimum clearance. For lines rated 50 kV or below, that is 10 feet between the lines and any part of the crane or load. For lines rated over 50 kV, it is 10 feet plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV over 50 kV, or twice the length of the line insulator, but never less than 10 feet. Equipment in transit with no load and the boom lowered has separate minimums, starting at 4 feet for voltages less than 50 kV.

These clearances apply unless the lines have been deenergized and visibly grounded at the point of work, or insulating barriers that are not part of the equipment have been put up to prevent contact.

If you are the designated observer

When it is hard for the operator to judge the clearance by eye, a person must be designated to watch the clearance and give timely warning. Keep your eyes on the gap, not on the load.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)(iii) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)(iv) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)(vi)

Never trust hydraulics to hold it up

Under or between raised equipment

Machinery, equipment or parts held up by slings, hoists or jacks must be substantially blocked or cribbed before anyone works under or between them.

Bulldozer and scraper blades, loader buckets, dump bodies and similar equipment must be fully lowered or blocked when being repaired or not in use. Controls go in neutral, motors stopped and brakes set, unless the work requires otherwise.

Dump trucks must have a permanently attached support that locks in position so the body cannot lower by accident during maintenance or inspection. Use it.

Parking

• Whenever equipment is parked, the parking brake is set.
• On an incline, the wheels are chocked and the parking brake set.
• Equipment left unattended at night next to a highway in use, or next to construction areas where work is going on, must have lights or reflectors, or barricades with them, to show where it is.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(3)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(10) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(3)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(1)

Where you may ride

• Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks: unauthorized people must not ride on them. Where riding is authorized, a safe place to ride must be provided.
• Crew vehicles: vehicles that carry workers must have seats firmly secured and enough of them for the number of people carried.
• Loose tools: tools and material carried in the same compartment as workers must be secured so they cannot move.
• Seat belts must be installed in all motor vehicles covered by these rules, which are vehicles operating within an off-highway jobsite not open to public traffic.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(vii) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(9) · 29 CFR 1926.601(a)

If you drive: the start-of-shift check

All site vehicles in use must be checked at the beginning of each shift to make sure these are in safe operating condition and free of apparent damage that could cause failure:

The same applies to lights, reflectors, wipers, defrosters, fire extinguishers and similar equipment where they are needed.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(14)