| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Uneven ground, traffic exposure, crew walking into compaction zone | Walk work site, identify tripping hazards, set cones if near roadways, assign lookout to monitor crew and traffic |
| Inspect plate compactor | Loose bolts, damaged belt, leaking fuel, malfunctioning throttle or vibration system | Perform full pre start inspection; check handles, throttle, base plate, and safety features; remove damaged equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Hearing damage, eye injuries, foot injuries | Wear full PPE before starting or moving compactor |
| Start compactor | Unexpected movement, inhalation of exhaust, burns from hot engine | Start on level ground, maintain firm grip on handles, stand upwind of exhaust, keep hands clear of hot parts |
| Begin compaction work | Vibration fatigue, loss of control, contact with moving base plate | Maintain two hands on handles, work at slow controlled pace, take short breaks to reduce vibration exposure, stay clear of edges and trenches |
| Keep ground crew clear | Crew entering blind spots or compaction path | Communicate clearly, keep crew well away from operator, maintain defined work zone |
| Operate near trenches or drop offs | Compactor tipping into excavation, operator losing balance | Stay a safe distance from trench edges, compact in small controlled passes, reposition compactor instead of pulling or twisting |
| Turn or reposition compactor | Pinch points, slips, machine roll away | Lift handles only as designed, avoid abrupt turns, shut off compactor for longer moves, maintain stable footing |
| Shut down equipment | Hot engine components, accidental restart | Move compactor to level ground, turn off engine, allow machine to cool before touching or loading |
| Load and transport compactor | Pinched fingers, back strain, machine tipping during loading | Use proper lifting techniques, load with two people if needed, secure compactor in truck or trailer with straps |
| Final cleanup | Contact with hot surfaces or spilled fuel | Allow compactor to cool, wipe up fuel drips, store equipment properly |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
Hearing protection
High visibility vest
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Equipment Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Uneven ground, traffic exposure, crew walking into compaction zone | Walk work site, identify tripping hazards, set cones if near roadways, assign lookout to monitor crew and traffic |
| Inspect plate compactor | Loose bolts, damaged belt, leaking fuel, malfunctioning throttle or vibration system | Perform full pre start inspection; check handles, throttle, base plate, and safety features; remove damaged equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Hearing damage, eye injuries, foot injuries | Wear full PPE before starting or moving compactor |
| Start compactor | Unexpected movement, inhalation of exhaust, burns from hot engine | Start on level ground, maintain firm grip on handles, stand upwind of exhaust, keep hands clear of hot parts |
| Begin compaction work | Vibration fatigue, loss of control, contact with moving base plate | Maintain two hands on handles, work at slow controlled pace, take short breaks to reduce vibration exposure, stay clear of edges and trenches |
| Keep ground crew clear | Crew entering blind spots or compaction path | Communicate clearly, keep crew well away from operator, maintain defined work zone |
| Operate near trenches or drop offs | Compactor tipping into excavation, operator losing balance | Stay a safe distance from trench edges, compact in small controlled passes, reposition compactor instead of pulling or twisting |
| Turn or reposition compactor | Pinch points, slips, machine roll away | Lift handles only as designed, avoid abrupt turns, shut off compactor for longer moves, maintain stable footing |
| Shut down equipment | Hot engine components, accidental restart | Move compactor to level ground, turn off engine, allow machine to cool before touching or loading |
| Load and transport compactor | Pinched fingers, back strain, machine tipping during loading | Use proper lifting techniques, load with two people if needed, secure compactor in truck or trailer with straps |
| Final cleanup | Contact with hot surfaces or spilled fuel | Allow compactor to cool, wipe up fuel drips, store equipment properly |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
Hearing protection
High visibility vest
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves