Skid Steer Loader

COURSE AIMS

To provide thorough practical and theory plant training in operating a Skid Steer Loader,to enable the candidate to competently and safely carry out the role and pass the Theory and Practical Tests.

COURSE CONTENT

• Name and explain the purpose of principle components, the basic construction, controls and terminology
• Conform with manufacturers requirements as per the operator’s handbook, other types of information source and relevant regulations and legislation
• Undertake all pre-use checks
• Configure and set for site and highway travel
• Travel over rough, undulating ground, substantial inclines and level surfaces; laden and unladen
• Manoeuvre plant in confined spaces
• Configure and set for extraction and loading duties
• Explain actions required for hazards, underground and overhead services
• Extract differing types of materials from stockpiles and other sources
• Form stockpiles of segregated materials and construct (temporary) ramps
• Sort and place materials into transporting vehicles and hoppers
• Spread and level ground and materials
• Carry out shut down and securing procedures
• Explain the loading and unloading procedures for machine transporting

Skid-steer loaders present a number of risks to workers. The most types of injuries caused by skid-steer loaders are rollovers on soft or steep ground and crush injuries when safety features have been bypassed or removed, and during maintenance.

Workers can be:

• Pinned between the bucket and frame of the machine or between the lift arms and frame.
• Struck and crushed by the bucket, bucket arms, or material falling from the bucket.
• Injured in rollovers and runovers.

Below we will explain three incidents by steer skid loader and some or information on the safe operation of skid-steer loaders.

In recent years there have been several fatal accidents involving skid steer loaders. Operators have been crushed when they exited skid steer loaders with the lift arms raised or when they operated controls from outside the cab. They have also been run over after leaving the controls with the engine running.

In a recent accident, a worker removed a loader’s lift arm cylinders. He left the bucket in an elevated position, approximately 1.4 metres (4.5 feet) off the floor. The bucket and arms were blocked by placing two braces between the front of the loader and the bucket mounting plate. The manufacturer’s instructions state that when lift cylinders are removed, the loader bucket and arms must be less than half a metre (1.5 feet) above the ground and must be placed on secure blocking. Additional blocks may have to be placed at the rear of the machine to keep the front wheels from lifting. When the worker tried to reinstall the lift arm cylinders five days later, he found that the lift cylinder pistons needed to be adjusted in order to refit the arms. He started the engine, then moved between the raised arms and the frame, leaning over to activate the foot control that moves the lift cylinders. Over the five days in the raised position, the bucket pivot had crept out of position, forcing the two braces from the secure position. As the worker activated the foot control, the bucket tilted, dislodging both braces. The now unrestrained bucket and arms swung down, crushing and killing the worker.

Safe work practices

• Follow the manufacturer’s operating and servicing instructions.
• Never operate the machine from the outside of the cab.
• Always lower the lift arms before exiting the cab.
• Turn off the engine and set the parking brake whenever you exit the loader.
• Elevate loads no higher than necessary.
• Avoid working or moving below elevated loads.
• If you must work beneath an elevated load, securely block it and do a hazard assessment to ensure the blocking will remain secure.

An operator of a skid steer loader stopped the loader at the edge of an excavation. The operator started to lower the bucket. The loader tipped forward and fell into the excavation—narrowly missing a natural gas pipeline. The operator was not injured. The primary cause of the accident was the improper use of a light material bucket. The skid steer loader’s light material bucket had been modified, further increasing the volume capacity of the bucket and also adding extra weight to the bucket itself.

Safe work practices:

•  Educate and train operators in safe work procedures and equipment specifications.
• Always use the appropriate bucket for the material being moved. A bucket rated for light material must not be used for excavation work.

A worker was leaning over the engine of a skid-steer loader, troubleshooting a mechanical problem. The loader operator was seated in the cab with the engine running. The boom lock pins were not engaged to prevent the loader’s lift arms from moving. The lift arms lowered unexpectedly, pinning the worker between the crossbar of the lift arms and the engine compartment. The worker suffered fatal injuries.

Skid Steer Daily Checks Click Here

Skid Steer Study Notes Click Here

Skid Steer CITB Notes Click Here

Skid Steer Safety Questions Click Here

Skid Steer Safety Questions 2 Click Here

HSE Guidance Safe Use Of Vehicles On Construction Sites  Click Here

Mobile Plant Reversing & Visibility Aids click here

Health & Safety Advice For Plant Operations Click Here