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Excavation, Trenching and Shoring Safety and the OSHA Excavation Standard- ... Page 1 of l <br /> I WON 11141110 <br /> s <br /> ' CHAPTER 5: MATERIALS HANDLING AND MECHANIZED EQUIPMENT <br /> Construction, by its nature, is an ever-changing environment and involves a constant movement of <br /> personnel and materials.The use of mechanized equipment in that process poses significant crushing <br /> and striking hazards, particularly in excavation work. Below are some examples of safe work practices <br /> when working around mechanized equipment: <br /> • Mark off areas around the swing radius of digging equipment and move the barriers with the <br /> progress of the work.This is particularly important when the back-hoe is operating in close <br /> proximity to trees and other solid objects such as sections of pre-cast. Most track-type back-hoes <br /> have a serious blind-spot that's usually the rear of the machine on a diagonal to the operator's <br /> position. <br /> • Remember that loaders and backhoes are primarily earth-moving equipment. Traveling with <br /> material suspended from buckets poses a special hazard. Swinging loads may catch a worker <br /> between the suspended load and the machinery or the worker may trip on uneven grade and be <br /> run over by the equipment. <br /> • Back-up alarms and other warning devices tend to be"tuned out"over time. In many pieces of <br /> equipment, the operators may only have a partially unobstructed vision to the rear. Still other types <br /> of equipment,such as track equipment and skid-steer loaders make it difficult for an operator to <br /> turn completely around when backing up. Don't rely on back-up alarms as the sole warning of <br /> which direction a machine is going to move.Always make sure the operator is aware of your <br /> position. <br /> • You may not be working next to an active motor way, but reflective vests or clothing are still a <br /> good idea. Never assume an equipment operator can see you. <br /> • When any load is brought under tension, regardless of the equipment being used to hoist it, stay <br /> away! The load should be controlled with a tag line while aloft and only after being positioned in <br /> the location of placement should workers be anywhere near it. <br /> • No one should have any part of their body under any portion of a suspended load. <br /> http://www.afscme.org/health/excav06.htm 8/25/2005 <br />