Focus Four Toolbox Talks, Module 3 – Caught-in/between, Talk #5 – Servicing Elevated Sections of Equipment

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IUOE National Training Fund

Summary Statement

A toolbox talk on preventing caught-in incidents that occur when working on an elevated section of a piece of equipment. Includes questions to ask, an incident to discuss with images, and a place to record questions the trainer would like to ask about the incident. Part of a collection. Click on the 'collection' button to access the other items.

Safely performing maintenance on elevated sections of equipment?

Ask the following questions and give time for answers.

  • What are the hazards? Bodily entrapment with object, potential/stored energy
  • What are the results? Broken or crushed limbs and bones, suffocation, punctures, head injury, internal damage, and death
  • What should we look for? Equipment not secured, not chocked, no secondary protection device, equipment operating nearby and, maintenance performed on unstable ground

Relate this incident or better one you know.

Actual Incident: On September 15, 1998, a 31-year-old heavy equipment operator was killed when he was caught under the wheel of a backhoe that he was servicing. As he was working, the left front wheel of the backhoe loosened and came off. He attempted to fix the backhoe by lifting the wheel and digging the backhoe’s front bucket down against the ground. He stood by the side of the machine and reached in to turn on the ignition. The backhoe was in gear and immediately lurched forward, striking the victim and pulling him under the equipment. Despite rescue efforts to lift the backhoe with a larger front end loader, the victim was asphyxiated and died at the scene.

Ask the following question and ensure every item is covered.

How do we prevent these results?

  • Service equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Use safety equipment such as chock blocks, jack stands, etc.
  • Inspect all safety equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Use appropriately-rated equipment.
  • Always service equipment on stable, level ground.
  • Always engage parking brake while maintaining equipmen t.
  • De-energize and lock-out equipment’s energy. sources (hydraulics, electrical system, etc.).

Ask the following questions about this site and ensure every item is covered.

Let’s talk about this site now.

  • Do you have a designated place to service equipment?
  • What types of safety equipment can you use to prevent equipment from falling on you while you service it? Parking brake, jack stands, chock blocks, etc.
  • Does your company have a SOP for maintaining equipment? Have you read it?

Record questions below that you want to ask about this site.