| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Uneven terrain, underground utilities, overhead lines, traffic exposure | Walk the site; locate utilities; identify soft ground, slopes, and obstacles; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; assign lookout if near traffic |
| Inspect backhoe | Hydraulic leaks, malfunctioning controls, worn tires, damaged bucket or stabilizers | Conduct full pre start inspection; test brakes, lights, horn, backup alarm, boom controls, and stabilizers; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Noise exposure, struck by hazards, eye protection needs | Wear all required PPE prior to mounting equipment |
| Mount and dismount safely | Slips, falls, hand injuries | Use three points of contact; keep steps clean and free of mud or ice; never jump from machine |
| Position backhoe for work | Backing hazards, blind spots, encroaching traffic | Use a spotter for backing or tight areas; activate beacons; maintain safe distance from traffic and drop offs |
| Deploy stabilizers | Pinch points, machine tipping on soft ground | Lower stabilizers slowly; ensure firm contact with ground; use pads on soft surfaces; verify machine is level before digging |
| Begin digging operations | Trench collapse, striking utilities, bucket swing zone hazards | Dig with controlled movements; maintain awareness of underground utilities; keep crew out of swing radius; avoid overloading bucket |
| Load trucks or move spoil | Struck by moving bucket, miscommunication with truck driver | Use clear hand signals or radios; load from safe distance; never swing bucket over cab of truck; keep ground crew visible |
| Maintain equipment awareness | Crew wandering into hazard zone, blind spots | Establish exclusion zone; assign lookout; stop work immediately if anyone enters swing area |
| Work near edges or trenches | Machine sliding, edge collapse, tipping hazard | Stay back from trench edges; avoid working perpendicular to slope; make shallow cuts rather than deep reaches |
| Shut down and secure machine | Unintentional movement, hot surfaces | Park on level ground; retract boom and bucket; raise stabilizers; set parking brake; lower attachments to ground; shut off engine |
| Refuel or perform minor checks | Fire hazard, burns, spills | Shut down machine; allow engine to cool; refuel in ventilated area; clean spills immediately |
| Final inspection | Tools left behind, hazards in work area | Walk site for debris or hazards; verify trenches or holes are properly barricaded; ensure area is safe before leaving |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove devices only after equipment and crew are clear; use lookout; wear high visibility clothing until departure |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Long pants and long sleeves
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Heavy 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.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Uneven terrain, underground utilities, overhead lines, traffic exposure | Walk the site; locate utilities; identify soft ground, slopes, and obstacles; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; assign lookout if near traffic |
| Inspect backhoe | Hydraulic leaks, malfunctioning controls, worn tires, damaged bucket or stabilizers | Conduct full pre start inspection; test brakes, lights, horn, backup alarm, boom controls, and stabilizers; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Noise exposure, struck by hazards, eye protection needs | Wear all required PPE prior to mounting equipment |
| Mount and dismount safely | Slips, falls, hand injuries | Use three points of contact; keep steps clean and free of mud or ice; never jump from machine |
| Position backhoe for work | Backing hazards, blind spots, encroaching traffic | Use a spotter for backing or tight areas; activate beacons; maintain safe distance from traffic and drop offs |
| Deploy stabilizers | Pinch points, machine tipping on soft ground | Lower stabilizers slowly; ensure firm contact with ground; use pads on soft surfaces; verify machine is level before digging |
| Begin digging operations | Trench collapse, striking utilities, bucket swing zone hazards | Dig with controlled movements; maintain awareness of underground utilities; keep crew out of swing radius; avoid overloading bucket |
| Load trucks or move spoil | Struck by moving bucket, miscommunication with truck driver | Use clear hand signals or radios; load from safe distance; never swing bucket over cab of truck; keep ground crew visible |
| Maintain equipment awareness | Crew wandering into hazard zone, blind spots | Establish exclusion zone; assign lookout; stop work immediately if anyone enters swing area |
| Work near edges or trenches | Machine sliding, edge collapse, tipping hazard | Stay back from trench edges; avoid working perpendicular to slope; make shallow cuts rather than deep reaches |
| Shut down and secure machine | Unintentional movement, hot surfaces | Park on level ground; retract boom and bucket; raise stabilizers; set parking brake; lower attachments to ground; shut off engine |
| Refuel or perform minor checks | Fire hazard, burns, spills | Shut down machine; allow engine to cool; refuel in ventilated area; clean spills immediately |
| Final inspection | Tools left behind, hazards in work area | Walk site for debris or hazards; verify trenches or holes are properly barricaded; ensure area is safe before leaving |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove devices only after equipment and crew are clear; use lookout; wear high visibility clothing until departure |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Long pants and long sleeves