Steer clear of injury when using skid-steer loaders

Skid-steer loaders, often used on construction sites for excavating and other tasks, have features that expose workers to many injury risks, including caught-between incidents and rollovers. Although these machines are equipped with protective systems such as seat belts and rollover protection, injuries continue to occur.

Help keep workers safe with these tips from the Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health:

• Stay seated when operating the loader controls.
• Wear the seat belt.
• Keep your hands, arms, legs and head inside the operator’s compartment while operating the loader.
• Load, unload and turn on level ground, when possible.
• Travel and turn with the bucket in the lowest position possible.
• Don’t exceed the manufacturer’s recommended load capacity.
• Operate on stable surfaces only.
• Travel straight up or down slopes with the heavy end of the machine pointed uphill.
• Always look in the direction the loader is traveling.
• Keep other workers away from the loader’s work area.
• Don’t modify or bypass safety devices.