OSHA Vehicle Requirements in Construction

A bulldozer operator was killed when his bulldozer slid down a ditch, flipped and pinned him under the roll bars. A dump truck driver was crushed when he mistakenly unsecured a dump box cable during unloading and the box dropped on him. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) accidents such as these are preventable when construction vehicle safety standards are followed.

Required Components

• OSHA mandates that all construction vehicles have certain components. All vehicles used in construction must have:

  ~brake lights;

  ~service, parking and emergency brakes;

  ~fenders on vehicles with rubber tires made after 1972;

  ~mud flaps on vehicles with rubber tires made before 1972;

  ~seats and compliant seat belts for the intended number of passengers;

  ~an audible warning system;

  ~an audible reverse alarm if the vehicle travels in reverse with an obstructed view;

  ~lights, if the vehicle operates in dimness or darkness;

  ~a defroster, if windshields fog;

  ~and a windshield and wipers on vehicles with cabs.

Inspection

• Inspect the vehicle before every shift to ensure safety of all workers. Inspect all parts of the vehicle including: all brakes (hand, service, emergency, trailer), tires, couplings, lights, alarms and other safety equipment, operating controls, steering, the fire extinguisher, seatbelts, windshield wipers and any other equipment.

Operation

• OSHA recommends the following safe practices when operating a construction vehicle to avoid accidents at the work site:

  ~Keep the vehicle on safe roadways and inclines.

  ~Use the audible reverse alarm or signals from another worker when driving in reverse with an obstructed view.

  ~Use the parking brake when parking and chock the wheels when needed to prevent rolling.

  ~Secure loose tools in the cab with workers.

  ~Use seat belts and do not carry passengers where not intended on the vehicle.

Hauling, Lifting, Dumping

• Use caution to see that dumping and lifting mechanisms are secured when not in use and areas are clear before lifting, loading and unloading. When not in use, lower and block all blades, buckets and dump bodies and leave the controls in neutral.

  Dumping, lifting and hauling vehicles must have overhead protection for the operator; have a locking mechanism; a safety lock or similar mechanism on levers; and dump body trip handles located where the operator remains clear of loads when dumped.

  Also, never exceed load capacities for the vehicle.

Signs and Signals

• Workers near roads must wear bright orange or red vests for visibility.

  To avoid accidents between construction vehicles, workers, pedestrians and other vehicles, OSHA mandates certain regulations for visibility of the site and workers. Signs, barricades and flaggers must be used when the work site is near other roads. In addition, workers must wear bright orange or red vests at all times and reflective vests after dark.