4.09 – Mobile Equipment

PROCEDURE

General
  1. No person will knowingly operate or permit a worker to operate mobile equipment which is, or could create, an undue hazard to the health or safety of any person. (Refusal of Unsafe Work)
  2. Mobile equipment operators will operate the equipment safely and maintain full control of the equipment in accordance with OHS Regulation -Part 16, including but not limited to not allowing any unauthorized persons on the equipment while in motion.
  3. In addition to (2) mobile equipment operators will ensure all required inspections are complete prior to using the equipment. (Inspections)
  4. All workers working on or near mobile equipment will wear appropriate PPE. (Personal Protective Equipment)
Competency of Operators
  1. A person will not operate mobile equipment unless the person;
    • a) has received adequate instruction in the safe use of the equipment
    • b) has demonstrated to a qualified supervisor or instructor competency in operating the equipment
    • c) if operating equipment with air brakes, has a valid air brake certificate or a driver’s license with an air brake endorsement, or evidence of successful completion of a course of instruction on air brake systems by an organization acceptable to WorkSafeBC
    • d) is familiar with the operating instructions for the equipment
  2. Subsection (1)(a) does not apply if a trainee operates the equipment under the supervision of a qualified instructor, or a supervisor.
Maintenance
  1. All mobile equipment will be maintained as required by the manufacturer or supplier.
  2. Maintenance records for any service, repair or modification which affects the safe performance of the equipment will be maintained and be reasonably available to the operator.
  3. Windshields, side and rear windows, and rear-vision mirrors will be maintained to provide clear vision to the operator.
  4. Servicing, maintenance and repair of mobile equipment will not be done when the equipment is operating, unless continued operation is essential to the process and a safe means is provided.
Standards
  1. The design, fabrication, use, inspection and maintenance of mobile equipment will meet the requirements of OHS Regulation 16.7 to 16.28.
  2. No modifications or alterations to equipment are permitted unless completed by the equipment manufacturer or a professional engineer.
  3. If the load rating of any equipment is modified, the employer will ensure that the rated load and load chart are changed as necessary to reflect the new load ratings.
Safe Operation
  1. Mobile equipment will have a mirror providing the operator with a clear view to the rear of the mobile equipment unless the condition of use or equipment structure makes the use of mirrors impracticable.
  2. Mobile equipment in which the operator cannot directly or by mirror see immediately behind the machine will have an automatic audible warning device which;
    • a) activates whenever the equipment controls are positioned to reverse
    • b) is audible above the ambient noise level
  3. Mobile equipment used during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, or when persons or vehicles are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 m (500 ft), will have and use lights to adequately illuminate;
    • a) the direction of travel
    • b) the working area about the mobile equipment
    • c) the cab instruments
  4. Mobile equipment designed and used for lifting, hoisting or similar operations will have a permanently affixed notation, legible and visible to the operator, stating the rated load of the equipment.
  5. Exposed moving parts on mobile equipment which are a hazard to the operator or to other workers will be guarded in accordance with OHS Regulation 12.2 to 12.9; if a part must be exposed for proper function it will be guarded as much as is practicable consistent with the intended function of the component.
  6. If mobile equipment has seatbelts required by any law in British Columbia, the operator and passengers will use the belts whenever the equipment is in motion or engaged in an operation which could cause the equipment to become unstable.
  7. The operator of mobile equipment will not leave the controls unattended unless the equipment has been secured against inadvertent movement such as by setting the parking brake, placing the transmission in the manufacturer’s specified park position, and by chocking wheels where necessary.
  8. An operator will not leave unattended any elevated load, part, extension or machine, unless it has been immobilized and secured against inadvertent movement; if a worker is required to work beneath an elevated part of mobile equipment, the elevated part will be securely blocked.
  9. If a hazard is created by the swinging movement of the load, cab, counterweight or other part of the equipment a worker will not be within range of the swinging load or equipment, and the operator will not move the equipment when any worker is exposed.
  10. 10. No person will board or leave any equipment while it is in motion, except in an emergency.

11. Mobile equipment used off maintained roads will be appropriate and safe for the intended use considering factors such as the nature of the travel surface, the slope of the travel surface, and the activities to be undertaken.

Training

All employees will receive documented onsite training of the following:

  • a) policy and procedure