Skid Steer Safety – Preventing Injuries and Deaths
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Heath (NIOSH) skid steer injuries and deaths can be prevented from skid steer loaders. They caution that workers who operate or work near skid-steer loaders may be crushed or caught by the machine or its parts.
The most common incident was pinning which represents 78% of operator fatalities. Other types of incidents leading to fatality in the use of skid steers included crushing, rollovers, pinning, runover, leaning out of the operator’s compartment, entering and exiting the compartment. In addition, during a 5 year period, 10 workers died while standing near or under a raised lift arm or attachment.
Key preventative practices when operating skid steer include:
1. Following safe operating procedures
2. Entering and exiting the loader safely
3. Maintaining the machine in safe operating condition
Proper safety training should include a complete review of what is included in the key preventative practices listed above.