Begin Program: Welcome everyone and introduce yourself, speaker(s) and/or interpreter if one is present/necessary. Feel free to include your name/program name on the title slide for purposes of personalization. Briefly review the agenda and notify participants that certificates of completion will be available at the end of the program. Beginning the Presentation: Skid steer loaders are heavily used in agriculture and industry. As more machines are used we are seeing incidences of operators and bystanders being injured or killed on the rise. This presentation will focus on improving knowledge and enhancing awareness of skid steer safety. 1
Let s spend some time looking at the possible hazards of operating a skid steer. Most frequently encountered hazards are being run over by the machine, getting caught in an attachment, being crushed between machine parts, getting trapped by loads that roll or drop into the operator s station and being pinned when the machine rolls over or tips over. 2
How can an operator of a skid steer help avoid the aforementioned situations? Always read the owners manual before operating. Most are available in English, Spanish, French and German. Never allow only children to operate skid steers. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings at all times. 3
Have a safety program or protocols established. Be certain to protect yourself. Appropriate protective clothing and personnel devices should be worn when applicable. Be alert and aware, know where to get help when needed. 4
Know the rules of the machine that you are operating. Understand the capacity and operating characteristics of your skid steer. Never modify or remove any part of the skid steer except for service and reinstall prior to operation. Try to drive forwards whenever possible and always look in the direction that you are traveling. Be certain to always look before backing up. 5
Watch for the safety alerts posted on the machines. Danger: This signal word indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Warning: This signal word indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. Caution: This signal word indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. 6
Pre-inspection of the skid steer you are about to operate can help prevent accidents. Before you start a skid steer you should check fuel and oil, hydraulic fluid, cooling system fluid, operator cab, seat belt, and seat bar, lift arm and cylinder pivot points, safety interlock systems, tires, broken, missing, loose, or damaged parts (make necessary repairs), and parking brake. Please note the enclosed pre-operation checklist. 7
In addition to pre-inspecting your machine be sure cab windows are clean and foot pedal controls are free of debris, if so equipped. 8
Use caution when fueling your machine. -Never overfill the tank or spill fuel. -Be sure to use correct type and grade of fuel. -If refueling after extended use, allow engine to cool before adding fuel. -Wash off any fuel that may have spilled onto your skin. -Remember no smoking! 9
Another aspect of safe operations not to e overlooked, is familiarity of your area of work. -Check the surface over which you will travel. Look for holes, drop-offs, and obstacles. -When inside a building, know what clearances you will encounter. Don t forget that operation of a skid steer on public roads requires following the same laws and guidelines as any other licensed motor vehicle. -When traveling on public roads or streets, obey all traffic regulations. -Have lights and warnings signs in place. -Install a Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem. 10
Every skid steer is different, some may be equipped with various safety features and others may not have them. Certain jobs require different safety features. (i.e. Back up alarms, rotating beacons/flashing lights) 11
Be familiar with all warning decals. Check and use all available protective and safety devices. This would include FOPS, ROPS, Be familiar with all warning decals (DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION) 12
1. Sit in the operator s seat and adjust the seat so you can operate all controls properly. 2. Fasten the seat belt/operator restraint. 3. Familiarize yourself with warning devices, gauges, and operating controls. 4. Then lower the operator seat/restraint bar (if so equipped). 13
5. Engage the parking brake and put all controls in the neutral/park position. 6. Clear the area of all persons. 7. Start the engine following the instructions in the manufacturer s manual. 14
Start the skid steer safely. If you should need to use jumper cables be certain to follow the manufacturers recommendations. You should observe all gauges after starting the engine. Then run an operating check to verify all controls are working properly. If there is something wrong, don t use the skid steer. 15
As you are operating your skid steer work safely. Observe and remember where people are around you. As you move around the jobsite take your time and adjust the speed of the machine to fit the working conditions. Don t forget that when working in enclosed areas that exhaust fumes can kill. It is also important to watch out for obstacles. 16
Let s read the following scenario: What precautions should we take? 1) Be aware of the locations of co-workers. 2) Be aware of the location of cattle/livestock. 3) Be certain not to get too close to stanchions and dividers while moving in and out of the barn. 4) Are you able to see where you are going? 5) Be certain the bucket load of sand is adequately/properly sized and loaded so the machine won t tip forward. We will discuss load weights in more detail in a couple of slides. 17
There are many attachments now being made for skid steers. Know how to properly connect and disconnect these attachments. Never reach from inside of the cab to the outside to connect attachments. If another person is present, properly shut down the machine to reduce injury to that person. It is always advisable to let the individual(s) know what your intentions are. It is important that all attachments attached to the lift arms be securely fastened. Improper fastening could allow the attachment to fall off causing injury or damaging equipment. 18
Know the characteristics of the material(s) that you are loading. Shifting material can rapidly change the weight distribution in the attachment, overloading and carrying the bucket too high can cause the skid steer to tip forward. 19
If traveling with no load, keep the backend to the machine pointed uphill. If traveling with a load, keep the load pointed uphill. Load and unload on level ground. Drive straight up and down slopes with the heavy end of the loader facing uphill. Why is this the case? The engine being in the back makes for more weight in the rear than front. 20
Typically the answer would be A. 21
When forced to work on a gradual slope; work parallel to the slope as the ground will fall downward helping with traction. When you approach a steep slope work diagonally from base to top. 22
Be familiar with the operating instructions supplied by the manufacturer. As mentioned earlier you need to be familiar with the locations that you are working in and be familiar with all machine controls. If necessary, also know how to properly load, tie down, transport and unload the skid steer. Always enter and exit the machine with the bucket in the lowered position. 23
It is advisable to consider wearing ear, hearing, and head protection. Use the safety treads and grab handles when entering and exiting the skid steer. Always wear the seat belt and utilize the seat bar (if one is provided). Never carry passengers in or on the skid steer. Always perform maintenance safely. 24
Another point touched on that is very important. Watch overhead when raising the bucket. Set the parking brake and lower the bucket before dismounting. 25
Always keep hands, head, and feet inside the skid steer while the machine is running. Failure to do so can result in severe personal injury. 26
When parking a skid steer try to utilize flat, level ground. If you must park on a slope or incline try to position the loader at a right angle to the slope, engage the parking brake, lower the bucket or attachment and consider blocking or chalking the wheels or tracks. 27
In order to shut down a skid steer safely, please review the operators manual. Have an established procedure that you follow consistently. An example of this would be: -Stop the skid steer. -Lower the bucket or other attachment flat on the ground. -Position controls in neutral. -Engage parking brake. -Idle engine for short cool-down period. -Stop engine. -Cycle hydraulic controls to eliminate pressure. -Raise operator seat/restraint t t bar if so equipped. 28
-Check that controls are locked in neutral if so equipped. -Unbuckle seat belt/restraint. -Remove ignition key and lock covers and closures. -Shut off master electric switch. When you leave the skid steer -Always maintain a three point contact with the steps and grab handles. -Face the loader as you dismount. -Never jump off the skid steer! 29
Remember, safety is up to you, you can prevent serious injury or death. 30
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You will see some references listed here used in the preparation of this presentation. There are also two web sites listed that have a great deal of helpful information regarding skid steer safety. 32
End presentation. This slide may be personalized with your name and contact information. 33