Falls are the No. 1 cause of construction worker fatalities. This OSHA statistic includes falls from equipment and large vehicles.
When You Are Entering or Exiting Construction Equipment and Larger Vehicles
- Face the equipment.
- Maintain three points of contact.
- Be aware of loose clothing, shoelaces, jewelry or other items that can potentially get caught on steps or handholds.
- Don’t jump off the equipment.
- Ensure the handholds and steps are clean and undamaged.
- Pay attention to the surrounding ground conditions.
- Turn off the engine and engage the brakes before leaving.
- Avoid carrying materials and tools when climbing.
Maintenance Considerations
- Falls can happen when you’re performing daily inspections and routine maintenance checks.
- Use a stepladder to check the engine and other service locations.
- Avoid climbing on equipment areas that are not intended to be used as walking surfaces.
