N O V E M B E R 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 15
THE ACCIDENT: An Indiana
landscape worker is operating a
skid steer to grade and exca-
vate a backyard for an outdoor
living area. He needs to exit
the machine to say something
to another crewmember, so
he comes to a stop. He leaves
the machine running with the
bucket slightly raised and opens
the door. While trying to get out,
his shirt catches on an operating
lever, which activates the liftarm
control. The bucket moves down
and pins the worker against the
frame. The other crewmember
sees this and calls 911. The
worker is freed but is pronounced dead from
blunt chest trauma.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Equipment opera-
tors should always lower the bucket fl at on the
ground, set the parking brake and turn off the
engine before exiting. Here are other safe prac-
tices to prevent similar accidents.
s Never enter or exit a skid steer when the ve-
hicle is in use.
s Keep arms and legs in the carriage at all times.
s Don't operate skid steer controls from outside
the vehicle.
s Removing doors and cages increases the risk
for injury.
s Do not wear baggy clothes when operating
equipment, and wear the proper personal
protective equipment (PPE).
s Never try to perform maintenance on a skid
steer when the arms or attachments are raised.
s If the arm has to be raised for the job, use lif-
tarm supports as recommended by the manu-
facturer.
s When in the cab operating the machine, wear
your seatbelt.
s Operate on stable surfaces only.
s When entering the loader, face the seat and
keep a three-point contact with handholds and
steps.
s Never use foot or hand controls as steps or
handholds.
For more Safety Watch articles, visit
totallandscapecare.com/safetywatch.
Deadly Departure
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
What operators need to know
about exiting equipment
ILLUSTRATION BY DON LOMAX
