Safety procedures help prevent serious injuries.

By Carolyn Mason

The accident: A 43-year-old landscaper is spreading topsoil to prepare for grass seeding. After his skid steer loader becomes stuck in the mud, the operator raises the safety bar and tries to climb out of the cab with the engine still running. As he stands up and prepares to climb out, his left heel pushes the foot pedal. This raises the lift arm and bucket, which then crushes his chest against the cab. The worker dies in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

The bottom line: Most skid steer accidents are the result of crushing by moving parts or injury/death by roll-overs. The victim violated one of the most important safety rules of operating a skid steer loader by exiting the equipment with the engine still running. Protect yourself by following these precautions when exiting and operating the equipment.

Safe exit practices

• Park on a level surface.

• Lower the lift arms and attachments to the ground.

• Place the controls in neutral.

• Set the parking brake.

• Turn the engine off.

• Cycle the controls to relieve hydraulic pressure.

• Make sure the controls are locked.

• Remove the ignition key.

• Unbuckle the safety belt and raise the safety bar.