The primary sources of injury to operators and other personnel working around heavy equipment are:

• Repairing and servicing equipment in dangerous positions.
• Striking individuals or other vehicles with the equipment, particularly its blade.
• Unexpected violent tipping of the equipment.
• Uncontrolled traffic within or through the work area.
• Unexpected violent shocks or jars to the machine.
• Sudden movement of a power unit while it is being attached to earth moving equipment.
• Limbs of trees or overhead obstructions
• Leaving earth moving or other equipment in dangerous positions while unattended.
• Failure of lifting mechanisms.

General Operating Precautions:

1. Machines should be maintained in good working order.  All vital parts such as motors, chassis, blades, bladeholders, tracks, drives, hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms, and transmissions should be thoroughly inspected each day.
2. Before starting a job, the operator should be given instructions regarding the work to be done.
3. Before using the starting motor, the operator should check to make sure that all operating controls are in the neutral position.
4. Machines should be operated at speeds and in a manner consistent with conditions on the particular job.
5. At no time should a piece of equipment be left unattended while the motor is running, especially if the machine is on an inclined surface or on loose material.
6. If possible, equipment should be driven entirely off the road at night.  When any portion of the machine projects into the road, it should be adequately marked with red lights or flares.  Red flags should be used in daytime.
7. Personnel should stop motors and refrain from smoking during refueling operations.
8. The operator should keep deck plates or steps on equipment free from grease, oil, ice and mud.  Corded soles shoes are recommended.
9. Employees, other than operator, should not ride on equipment.
10. Operators should not wear loose clothing, which can get caught in moving parts of equipment.