Powered Mobile Equipment Safety

Cogbill Safety Tuesday April 27, 2021

Powered mobile equipment are used daily in industrial, construction and manufacturing workplaces. Any machine that is self-propelled or a combination of machines that handle materials or provide a work platform for workers is considered powered mobile equipment. Industrial workers use forklifts, scissor lifts, pallet jacks, aerial lifts, tractors, bulldozers, cranes and many more examples of powered mobile equipment constantly. Though used often, hazards that can result in injury or even death can occur if safety procedures are not followed. Such hazards include, but are not limited to:

• Roll-overs

• Run-overs

• Collisions

• Falling loads

• Fire Hazards

• Electrocution

• Carbon Monoxide and carbon dioxide exposure

To prevent such accidents, employers, as well as employers, should enforce and follow these general safety procedures and guidelines:

• Inspect machines prior to each use.

• Only workers who have been properly trained on specific machines shall be allowed to operate them.

• Operators must apply seat-belts or restraining system prior to starting a machine.

• Plan your work prior to starting and consider all safety aspects during the operation as well as after finishing.

• Ensure no worker enters the range of swinging load or part, and do no operate if workers appear in range of motion.

• Barricades should be put up underneath where elevated work is being performed.

• Equipment or materials shall be loaded securely while in transport to prevent damage or injury.

• Only use the proper machine designed for the specific work you are preforming.

• The surface in which the machine is operated on should be stable enough to support the machine and the load combined.