Safe Work Practices > Vehicle / Heavy Equipment Operations

Date Reviewed: February 15, 2023

•All diesel vehicles over one ton (as required by the client Company) will be equipped with a positive air intake shut off with controls in the cab.

•Where practical, machines should be equipped with stopping devices which are clearly marked and easily accessible.

•All Company vehicles or those operated on the Company's behalf will be equipped with at least a 20 lb. "B.C." rated dry chemical extinguisher, a first aid kit. Vehicles over one ton must be equipped with flares, a tow strap, and booster cables.

•All Company vehicles over one ton or heavy machinery shall be equipped with appropriate back up / motion alarms.

•Before changing direction or moving a piece of equipment, the equipment operator must look in that direction to ensure that personnel and equipment are not in their path.

•Winch cables shall be adequately guarded to protect the equipment operator should the cable fail. Employees should stay clear of the line of fire and out of the bite of a cable.

•As reviewed in the Lockout policy, all equipment shall be shut down and secured against movement before any repairs or cleaning are commenced.

•All vehicles or equipment shall have the brake applied or be blocked to prevent accidental movement when left unattended, especially on sloping ground.

•See Electrical, Static and Overhead Clearance Procedure for safe distances to be maintained by heavy equipment.

Seat belts will be worn in all vehicles, where roll over protection (ROPS) is provided on heavy equipment and as required by the Motor Vehicles Act. Seatbelts are to be worn even on short trips. Only those persons trained and certified (if applicable) may operate any vehicle or equipment.

Inspect your vehicle before use and according to the inspection section of this manual. Make sure the vehicle is in good mechanical condition before you start.

•Brakes, steering, lights and horn should all be in good working order.

•Make sure the tire pressure is correct.

•Windows and windshields should be clean -inside and out - for maximum visibility and minimum glare.

•Headlights and taillights should also be free of dirt or snow.

•Also make sure headrests are adjusted correctly. These are designed to reduce whiplash neck injuries.

•If the vehicle is new to you, make sure you know how to operate all the controls before starting out.

Driving:

•Employees will not ride on the running boards, fenders, in the box or outside a vehicle - a seat must be provided for all operators and passengers.

•Never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other drug. We all know drinking and driving is a bad combination. But drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, painkillers, tranquilizers and other over-the-counter medications for allergies and colds also affect driving.

•Keep your mind on your driving. Before you drive away, put your worries out of your mind. Calm down if you are angry.

•Make sure you are alert and energetic before driving. Fatigue and sleepiness are common causes of traffic accidents.

•Avoid distracting activities such as tuning the radio, pouring a cup of coffee, or talking on a mobile phone before you drive away. Pull over to talk on a mobile phone.

•Observe speed limits. Excessive speed causes many accidents, and it contributes to greater injuries and damage in accidents. Adjust speed according to road and weather conditions. The following are just a few good reasons to slow down: Heavy traffic, rough road surfaces, construction activity, ice, rain, snow and fog.

•Keep enough space between you and the vehicle in front so you can brake in time if it suddenly stops. Allowing space between your vehicle and others can give you an "out" in case you should need to stop suddenly or swerve.

•Never pass in a "No passing" zone. When you do decide to pass another vehicle, remember to look for on-coming traffic - and traffic behind or beside you. Check your blind spot and make sure you are not being passed. When it's all clear to pass, signal and pull out. Remember to signal when you return to your own lane.

•When another vehicle passes you, keep an eye on that vehicle as well as all the traffic around you. It might be necessary for you to slow down or speed up if the other vehicle needs to quickly return to your lane either in front or behind you.

•Don't rush your start when the light turns green and don’t speed through a caution light. When you approach an intersection where the light has been green for some time, expect it to change.

•Always expect other drivers to do the unexpected. Be prepared for other drivers to run red lights, pass when unsafe, swerve into your lane, or slam on the brakes. Continually update your “emergency plan" in case the other driver makes a wrong move.

•Continue watch for pedestrian traffic. Be prepared for pedestrians, as well as bicyclists and pets, to make sudden moves. When driving beside parked cars, be ready for someone to open a car door or step out between the cars.

•When entering a freeway, accelerate so you can merge with the traffic. Figure out your exit from the freeway far in advance so you are not tempted to make sudden lane changes. Drive beyond your exit to the next one if you are not able to exit safely. Strictly observe the speed limits for freeway exits - you might have to slow down quickly.

•Never get into a conflict with another driver. Let the other vehicle pass, turn and change lanes.

•Loose equipment, tools, chemicals or flammable substances will not be transported in the passengers’ compartment of any vehicle.

Good driving skills are a matter of life and death. Practice them every time you get behind the wheel.

Always ensure that you are visible to heavy equipment operators. Reflective vests or reflective strips on coveralls shall be worn when working around heavy equipment. Always make eye contact with the operator before approaching the equipment. Do not approach from a blind side without maintaining a safe distance.

Traffic Control

Two traffic control persons must be used when any of the following conditions prevail:

•Whenever worker’s safety may be affected by traffic,

•When heavy machinery is crossing a public roadway,

•When one or more lanes of a public road are blocked,

•When workers are not otherwise protected by other traffic control devices.

All traffic controllers must be adequately trained in the requirement of the job as identified in each Province’s Traffic Control Manual.

Traffic controllers must be provided with an appropriate traffic control paddle, reflective vest and wristlets and an effective means of communication if they are not visible to one another.

Appropriate signage must be placed in both directions, at distances sufficient to warn motorists.

Consideration must also be given to wetting down roadways if dust will create a visibility or respiratory hazard.