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Tom Karsky
University of Idaho Extension
Backhoes
and loaders are useful tools on farms and ranches. Accidents
involving backhoes and loaders occur and are often tragic.
While accidents may be similar to those that happen to tractors
the additional of an attached backhoe and/or loader increases
the likelihood of an accident due to increased height and
length of the machine. Common accidents with these machines
are overturns, falls, runovers and contact with other people
and other objects. Because of the size of these machines and
added features, increased diligence is needed to prevent accidents.
- Overturns
caused by turning uphill on a steep slope. Turning too fast
on a downhill slope may also cause an overturn.
- Loaders
may overturn if the bucket is raised too high when loaded
especially on uneven ground and in turns. The higher the
bucket is raised, the more unstable that the tractor is.
- Poor
maintenance and work around machines. Hazards include leaving
shields off or wearing loosely secured clothing while working
around turning PTO shafts.
- Hitting
an object such as a ditch, stump, or hole while moving can
cause an overturn or cause the operator or an extra rider
to fall off and be runover.
- Starting
the tractor in gear. If a person is either behind or in
front of the tractor wheels they could be run over before
they can get out of the way should the tractor move after
started.
- Falls
caused by slipping on the platform or steps while mounting
or dismounting or by falling out of the bucket as it is
being used to transport or lift a another worker.
![](as9908c.gif)
- A
common accident when using industrial equipment occurs when
the loader falls on another person or when a load falls
due to inadequate ropes, chains, or cables to lift objects,
or inattentive operators.
- Excavating
unstable soil, undercutting a bank with a backhoe, or operating
too close to a steep bank or excavation can result in an
overturn.
- Improper
equipment transport. Among the hazards are failure to properly
tie down backhoes and loaders to trucks or trailers and
failure to have proper lights and slow-moving-vehicle signs.
Not observing traffic rules when on public roadways also
can cause accidents.
- Slow
down when conditions dictate to do so. Some examples are
traveling on rough ground, going up or down a slope when
towing or carrying heavy loads, when entering public roadways,
and when turning with a load in the bucket.
- Know
the machine that your are operating. Read and review the
operator's manual. Get familiar with the controls before
working with the backhoe or loader.
- Know
the area where you are operating. Locate ditches, stumps,
debris, and undercut banks and avoid these hazards by keeping
a safe distance away.
- When
front-end loaders carry high loads, be aware of overhead
obstacles such as power lines.
- Keep
the bucket as low as possible to ensure stability and increase
your visibility and to become aware of bystanders. Raise
the loader only when necessary to dump.
- When
excavating with a backhoe, never undercut the area beneath
the backhoe stabilizers. If you suspect the soil is unstable,
use a platform under the rear wheels and stabilizers to
prevent cave-ins.
- Do
not allow extra riders PERIOD.
- Make
sure that the machine is not in gear before starting. Always
start from the driver's seat. Make sure no one is in front
of the wheels when starting the machine. Do not bypass safety
systems that prevent the newer tractors from starting when
in gear.
- Add
ballast or rear weight when a heavy load makes this precaution
necessary.
- When
excavating with the backhoe on a hill, swing the backhoe
uphill to dump the load in order to maintain stability.
Dumping downhill may cause the machine to tip.
- Always
shut off the engine, lower the bucket and backhoe, and apply
the parking brake before dismounting the machine.
- Use
extreme caution when back filling. The weight of the fill
material added to the weight of the loader could cause the
edge of a new excavation site to collapse. Before starting
to back fill, walk over the area and test the soil for stability.
- Keep
steps and platforms clean and uncluttered of parts, tools
and debris. Do not mount or dismount when the machine is
moving. Wear proper footwear with good gripping soles.
- Never
use a front end loader as a man lift as the hydraulic system
may fail or someone can accidentally touch the controls
causing the worker to fall. Use proper lift equipment for
the job.
- Use
machines equipped with roll over protective structure (ROPS)
and seat belts. Seat belts will prevent the operator from
being thrown out and crushed in a rollover.
![](as9908g.gif)
- Be
sure the area is safe and clear of bystanders before you
start excavating or moving the backhoe. Keep rear-view mirrors
clean and in good condition. Use back up alarms when in
reverse gear.
- Know
you equipment and its capacity. Train all workers in proper,
safe operation of the equipment. When lifting objects, use
cables and chains in good condition and strong enough for
the job. Do not allow a person to walk or work under a raised
load.
- Operate
the backhoe or loader only from the operator's seat.
- When
transporting equipment, be alert to potential hazards, caused
by poor visibility, adverse ground conditions, excessive
speed, unstable loads, or other vehicles in the area. Use
slow-moving-vehicle signs on the tractor and have the proper
lights: flashing yellow and solid red for the rear and flashing
yellow lights for the front as well as head-lights. Turn
headlights on when transporting on public roadways. Slow
down . Travel only as fast as conditions allow.
-
Be aware of the environment around you at all times. This
includes low hanging power lines, tree limbs, bridges, or
other obstacles. Know where gas, power, and phone lines
are buried before you start to dig.
- Be
careful when lifting round objects such as bales, poles,
etc., in the bucket. Raising the bucket too high or tipping
the bucket too far back could result in these objects rolling
rearward down the loader arms onto the operator.
- Visually
check for hydraulic leaks or malfunctioning parts.
- Make
sure hydraulic lines are connected properly after repairs,
otherwise an accident is likely to occur when a control
operates in a direction other than it should.
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
A
Pacific Northwest Extension Publication
Idaho . Oregon . Washington
Written by Tom Karsky, University of Idaho, and A. K. Jaussi,
former graduate assistant, Washington State University. For
more information about farm safety, please contact:
Tom Karsky, Extension Farm Safety Specialist, Department of
Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Idaho,
Moscow, ID 83844-0904, phone 208/885-7627, fax 208/885-7908,
email (tkarsky@uidaho.edu).
Myron Shenk, Integrated Plant Protection Center, Oregon State
University, 2040 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-2915, phone
541/737-6274, fax 541/737-3080, email (shenkm@bcc.orst.edu).
Bill Symons, Extension Safety Specialist, Biological Systems
Engineering Department, Washington State University, 204 L.
J. Smith Hall, Pullman, WA 99164-6120, phone 509/335-2902, fax
509/335-2722, email (symons@mail.wsu.edu).
This series is supported, in part, by funds provided by the
Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (PNASH),
Department of Environmental Health, Box 357234, University of
Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7234 (phone: 800/330-0827,
email: pnash@u.washington.edu).
PNASH is funded by CDC/NIOSH Award #U07/CCU012926-02. Published
and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May
8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Idaho Cooperative
Extension System, the Oregon State University Extension Service,
Washington State University Cooperative Extension, and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture cooperating. The three participating
Extension services provide equal opportunity in education and
employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,
gender, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran
as required by state and federal laws.
The University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System, Oregon
State University Extension Service, and Washington State University
Cooperative Extension are Equal Opportunity Employers. Published
December 1998 Backhoe and Loader Safety Farm Safety Series PNW
512
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