Mobile Equipment Near Ground Crews
A safety talk focused on mobile equipment working near ground crews, including blind spots, swing radius, backing, spotters, exclusion zones, communication, and struck-by prevention.
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Key Hazards
- Ground workers struck by moving equipment
- Workers entering blind spots around equipment
- Crush hazards from swing radius, attachments, buckets, or counterweights
- Backing equipment moving near workers on foot
- Poor communication between operators, spotters, and ground crews
- Workers distracted by the task and unaware of equipment movement
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Mobile equipment and ground crews often work close together, but that combination creates serious struck-by and crush hazards.
Operators may have limited visibility around buckets, blades, booms, counterweights, tires, tracks, and attachments.
Ground crews should stay out of equipment operating zones unless they are authorized, expected, and in communication with the operator.
Exclusion zones should be used when equipment is digging, loading, grading, lifting, dumping, swinging, or backing.
Spotters or ground guides should be used when visibility is limited or when equipment must move close to workers, structures, traffic, or other equipment.
Communication should be agreed on before work begins. Hand signals, radios, eye contact, and stop signals should be clear to everyone involved.
Workers should never assume the operator sees them. If a worker needs to approach equipment, the equipment should stop and the worker should make clear contact with the operator.
Safe work near mobile equipment depends on separation, visibility, communication, exclusion zones, and stopping movement whenever workers enter the danger area.
Safety Reminders
- Stay out of equipment operating zones unless authorized.
- Never assume the operator sees you.
- Use exclusion zones around moving equipment.
- Watch swing radius, buckets, blades, booms, and counterweights.
- Use spotters when visibility is limited.
- Agree on hand signals, radio calls, and stop commands.
- Stop equipment before ground workers approach.
Ask the Crew
- What equipment is operating near ground crews today?
- Where are the blind spots and swing radius areas?
- Is an exclusion zone needed?
- How will operators and ground workers communicate?
- What is the stop signal if a worker enters the danger zone?