Small Machine, Big Danger
Skid steers and compact loaders are remarkably versatile machines. From moving dirt and hay to clearing brush and loading trailers, they handle a wide range of ranch tasks. Their compact size lets them work in areas where larger equipment can't go. But that same compact design creates unique hazards that operators need to understand and respect.
These machines have high rollover potential, limited visibility, and powerful hydraulics that create crush zones. Knowing these hazards and the safe practices that address them matters for anyone who operates or works around loaders and skid steers.
The Hazards
Rollover Risk
Skid steers have a high rollover potential due to their short wheelbase, high center of gravity when loaded, and tight turning radius.
Visibility Limitations
Side visibility depends on cab design, raised loads block forward visibility, and ground-level visibility can be poor.
Crush Zones
Crush zones exist under raised loader arms, between the machine and attachments, and under rolling or spinning machines.
Runover Hazards
Backup alarms may not be heard, and ground-level workers can be run over.
Attachment Hazards
Various attachments create additional risks. Forks create impalement hazards. Buckets present struck-by and crush risks. Augers create entanglement hazards. Brush cutters can throw objects.
Personal Protection
Operator Protection
If your machine is equipped with ROPS, stay inside the protective structure. Keep the restraint bar or door in position, and never exit with the engine running and loader raised.
Wear safety glasses, hearing protection in loud machines, and proper work boots.
Bystander Protection
Establish clear work zones and keep others out of the operating area. Use spotters when visibility is limited, and communicate before backing or turning.
Safe Operating Practices
Pre-Operation
Walk around the machine and look for fluid leaks. Check bucket and attachment condition, verify all guards are in place, check mirrors and visibility aids, and test the backup alarm. Verify the parking brake works, test lift and tilt controls, and check the horn and lights.
Starting and Entering
Enter from the designed access point and never jump on or off. Watch for slippery surfaces. Once inside, lower the restraint bar if equipped, verify controls are in neutral, and check that the area is clear.
During Operation
Slow down significantly when loaded, reduce speed on slopes and uneven ground, and never rush.
Travel with the load tilted back, never with the load elevated. Center loads in the bucket and know your machine's load capacity.
Use mirrors and cameras when available, sound the horn before backing, and stop if you can't see clearly.
Keep the bucket low on slopes, face uphill when parking, and approach slopes squarely.
Exiting
Set the parking brake, put controls in neutral, shut off the engine, and remove the key. Never leave a machine on a slope without securing the parking, and always lower attachments before walking away.
Attachment Safety
Attachment Changes
Lower the attachment to the ground, shut off the engine, and remove the key. Follow manufacturer procedures for the change, test all connections before use, and verify the attachment is properly secured.
Specific Attachment Hazards
Forks: Don't travel with forks elevated. Watch for tip clearance when tilting, and be aware of impalement risk to workers on foot.
Buckets: Don't use a bucket to lift people. Watch for struck-by during operation, and keep in mind that material can shift in the bucket.
Augers: Never clear an auger while running. Shut down for any blockage and keep bystanders away.
Grapples/Brush Cutters: Material can shift or fall, and brush work throws debris.
Working Around Skid Steers
For Workers on Foot
Make eye contact with the operator before approaching. Stay well outside the swing radius and never walk behind a running machine. Approach from the side when possible, never from blind spots, and stop if the machine moves unexpectedly.
For Operators with Ground Workers
Use a spotter for close work, stop and verify before backing, and never assume workers heard your horn. Use radio contact if possible, stop if you are uncertain about worker location, and make eye contact before resuming.
Rollover Protection
How ROPS Works
Most modern skid steers have a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS), a Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS), and restraint systems (seatbelt, bar, door). The ROPS creates a survival zone around the operator. The seatbelt keeps you inside that space, and the restraint bar or door adds protection.
If Rollover Occurs
Grip the steering controls and brace yourself. Trust the ROPS. After the machine stops, assess injuries before moving, exit carefully when the machine is stable, and don't attempt to right the machine without help.
Special Situations
Loading and Unloading Trailers
Ensure stable ramps and center the machine on the ramp. Use low speed. Travel forward up and reverse down, keep the bucket low, and stop if stability feels questionable.
Working Near Edges
Slopes near edges increase risk, and water hazards exist at pond edges. Know the ground stability and don't approach edges in reverse.
Excavation and Digging
Know the location of utilities, watch for undermined ground, and don't overreach with the bucket.
Maintenance Safety
Daily Maintenance
Check tire and track condition, inspect hydraulic lines, and verify attachment mounting. Clean windows and mirrors, and keep the floor clear of obstacles.
When Raised for Maintenance
Never rely on hydraulics alone to hold loader arms up. Use mechanical supports and verify they are in place before entering the work zone. Lower the arms before removing supports.
Hydraulic Safety
Depressurize before disconnecting lines. Watch for injection injuries and use cardboard to find leaks, not your hands. Clean up spills immediately.
Training Requirements
Operator Qualification
Every operator should understand all controls, know the machine's capabilities and limits, and be familiar with all attachments used.
Training Elements
Training should cover pre-operation inspection, safe operating procedures, attachment safety, rollover prevention, and emergency procedures.
Bottom Line
Rollover is the number one risk with these machines. Keep loads low, wear your seatbelt, and respect slopes. Visibility in a skid steer is severely limited, so check your surroundings before moving and use spotters whenever the situation calls for it.
Never let anyone ride in the bucket, because it is not designed for human cargo. Keep loads low when traveling, since an elevated load raises the center of gravity and invites a tip-over. Workers on foot should never assume the operator can see them. The seatbelt plus ROPS combination only works if you stay inside the protective structure.
Every attachment adds its own set of hazards, so know the specific risks of each one before you hook up. When you are done working, lower the arms, park, stop the engine, and remove the key. Every time.
