Skid Steer Safe Operation

Why it matters

The skid steer is small enough that people stop respecting it, and that is how it hurts them: crushed between the bucket and the frame, run over on a tight site, or thrown from the cab operating without the seat bar down. It turns in place with zero warning and carries loads that block the view. Today we cover the rules for operators and, just as important, for everyone on foot around one.

Hazards

• ⚠ Caught between the lift arms and the frame reaching into the cab area
• ⚠ Entering or exiting under raised, unsupported arms
• ⚠ Runover during spins and reverses in tight areas
• ⚠ Tipping on slopes, curbs, and loading ramps with a raised bucket
• ⚠ Loads carried high blocking sight lines
• ⚠ Bypassed seat bars and interlocks

Controls and safe practices

• ✓ Enter and exit only when the bucket is flat on the ground and the arms are down or on the approved supports.
• ✓ Never reach into the lift arm path, and never bypass the seat bar or interlocks.
• ✓ Operate from the seat only, belt on, arms and legs inside.
• ✓ Travel with the bucket low; load, carry, and turn with the load close to the ground.
• ✓ Give it room: workers on foot stay out of the swing and travel zone, and make eye contact before approaching.
• ✓ Slopes: heavy end uphill, no sidehill turns with a raised load.
• ✓ Walk-around inspection each shift: controls, interlocks, backup alarm, and hydraulics.

Crew discussion questions

1. Who is authorized to run the skid steer on this crew?
2. Where are our tightest operating spots, and how do we keep people out of them?
3. What is our rule for approaching the machine while it is running?
4. When did we last check the seat bar and backup alarm actually work?

Applicable OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.602

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