OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
Employees' Exposure to Possible Pinch Point Hazard on Skid Steer Loaders Equipped with Backhoe Attachments.
 OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletins - Table of Contents
- Information Date: 19861112
- Record Type: Hazard Information Bulletin
- Subject: Employees' Exposure to Possible Pinch Point Hazard on Skid Steer Loaders Equipped with Backhoe Attachments.
November 12, 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS
| THRU: | JOHN B. MILES
Director
Directorate of Field Operations |
| |
| FROM: | EDWARD J. BAIER
Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| |
| SUBJECT: | Safety Hazard Information Bulletin: Employees' Exposure to Possible Pinch Point Hazard on Skid Steer Loaders Equipped with Backhoe Attachments |
The Boston Regional Office brought to our attention a potential serious
safety hazard existing with the use of backhoe attachments on Koehring skid
steer loaders. A fatality occurred when an employee was crushed between the
backrest of the seat for the backhoe attachment and the upper frame of the
loader cab on one of these machines.
The backhoe attachment on the machine involved with the fatality consists of
an operator's seat, operator's console, backhoe boom, and shovel (see
attached copy from the manufacturer's publication). All of these are
attached as one unit to the main boom of the front end loader when the bucket
for the loader has been removed. The backhoe is operated from the seat
located outside of the loader cab. Located inside of the cab at the loader
operator seat position are hand controls which drive the loader, and foot
controls which operate the main boom. These foot controls are safeguarded by
a safety bar which renders them inoperable when it is in the "up" position.
When the safety bar is lowered across the operator's lap, the latches on the
foot pedals are released and the pedals become operable.
The Koehring Company conducted tests on skid steer loaders which suggest
that under certain circumstances it is possible for an operator, by improper
use of the pedals, to defeat the function of the safety bar. This may occur
if the pedals are depressed immediately before the seat bar is raised.
When
this occurs, the pedals may continue to be operable until the operation
initiated by the depressing of the pedals has been completed. In the case of
the referenced fatality, it appears that the operator defeated the function
of the seat bar by raising it and then used the pedals to raise the main boom
while his body was extended out of the cab. The operator was crushed between
the seat backrest and the cab frame.
Please disseminate this information to Area Offices, State Plan States, and
Consultation Projects.
Attachment
The manufacturer has advised the users of these lamps that there is a risk
of personal injury and property damage from hot quartz arc tube particles,
shattered glass, and fire unless precautions are taken. As described in UL
Standard 1572, there is a recognized need for enclosing metal halide lamps
with a container of sufficient strength and flammability rating to provide a
second barrier against the potential failure of the lamp. It is understood
that this Standard is presently being revised to reflect more stringent test
procedures for the enclosure than is currently recommended. The manufacturer
has issued recommendations to reduce risk of injuries. The recommendations
include using alternative replacement lamps and providing enclosures of
suitable materials. The manufacturer also provides assistance upon request
and can be reached at 617-777-1900.
We recommend that compliance and consultation personnel be aware of the
hazard addressed in this bulletin. Please disseminate this information to
Area Offices, State Plan States, and consultation Projects.
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