Protect operators and prevent costly accidents with these skid steer safety best practices
- Skid steer safety is critical to preventing accidents and protecting operators on the job. Proper training, regular maintenance and the use of personal protective equipment are essential.
- Following skid steer safety protocols, such as proper load handling and regular equipment checks, reduces the risk of injury and costly claims.
- To complement strong skid steer safety practices, ensure your clients are covered with comprehensive Workers’ Compensation solutions.
Skid steers are powerful, compact machines essential for excavation, material handling and grading in construction, agriculture and landscaping. You’ve likely seen them in action on jobsites because they’re incredibly versatile and can handle various attachments. But with all that power and mobility comes the need for proper operator safety.
Accidents involving skid steers can result in severe injuries, damage and costly insurance claims, so it’s important to ensure you’re doing everything possible to keep operators safe. Focusing on safety prevents unfortunate events, keeps costs down and ensures smooth, productive operations. For that reason, workers’ compensation insurance agents, please share this article with your work comp clients.
1. Pre-operation inspection
Before you start your skid steer, conducting a thorough equipment check is essential to keep everything running smoothly and safely. How often you do these checks should depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations, industry best practices and your experience with the machine.
Focus on critical areas like the tires, hydraulic systems and attachments to ensure everything is in good shape. Regular inspections help you spot wear and tear early, reducing the risk of accidents. This simple habit protects your operators and helps avoid expensive insurance claims and unnecessary downtime.
2. Wearing proper safety gear
Wearing personal protective equipment like helmets, gloves and steel-toed boots is essential when on the job, especially around heavy machinery like skid steers. Over twelve work-related fatalities happen every day in the U.S., and 36% of those are due to falls.
The right gear can protect you from severe injuries due to falling objects, sharp materials or accidents with equipment. PPE isn’t just something to check off a list — it’s fundamental to workplace safety protocols because they help prevent harmful incidents and keep everyone on the job safe.
3. Proper entry and exit procedures
When entering and exiting a skid steer, always maintain three points of contact — either two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. This simple habit helps prevent slips and falls, which are some of the most common accidents during entry and exit.
These incidents might seem minor but can lead to severe injuries, especially in fast-paced work environments. Teaching operators this practice improves their safety and reduces the chances of liability risks and costly insurance claims. Making this a standard procedure reinforces a culture of safety, which benefits everyone on the jobsite.
4. Understanding load limits
Understanding your skid steer’s weight capacity is crucial to avoid tipping accidents, which can happen when the machine becomes unbalanced. Skid steers are especially prone to tipping if you overload the bucket or raise it too high with a heavy load.
When the weight isn’t properly distributed, the machine can quickly become unstable, leading to dangerous rollovers. Overloading puts operators at risk for severe injuries and can result in costly insurance claims and equipment damage. By staying within the weight limits, you protect your team and your bottom line, making every jobsite safer.
5. Safe operation on slopes
When operating a skid steer on uneven or sloped terrain, it’s essential to follow best practices to maintain control and avoid accidents. Always keep the heaviest part of the load uphill, reduce your speed and avoid sharp turns to prevent tipping. Additionally, keeping the bucket low to the ground while moving helps maintain stability.
Rollover protection systems are also critical when working on these challenging terrains. ROPS minimize the severity of injuries by protecting the operator and preventing the machine from collapsing. Together, these practices and using ROPS can reduce the risk of harm and make working on uneven ground much safer.
6. Remaining aware of surroundings
Maintaining spatial awareness is fundamental for key operators working on busy jobsites with lots of equipment and foot traffic. One of the best ways to enhance visibility is by using mirrors, cameras or sensors in the skid steer. These tools give operators a better view of blind spots and areas that might be hard to see, making it easier to avoid obstacles and prevent collisions.
It’s also crucial for operators to stay alert, frequently scan their surroundings and use hand signals or radio communication with coworkers when moving in tight spaces. Leveraging technology and staying aware can help keep the jobsite safe and efficient.
7. Avoid blind spots
Skid steers have several common blind spots, especially directly behind the machine and on the sides near the attachments, making it challenging for operators to see obstacles or people nearby. To reduce these risks, operators can use telematics — which offers real-time data and enhanced visibility — to help cover those hard-to-see areas.
Installing cameras, mirrors or proximity sensors also helps increase situational awareness. With non-fatal injury rates in the U.S. construction industry being 71% higher than in any other sector, utilizing these technologies reduces workplace injuries and keeps jobsites safer.
8. Load and unload with care
Safe practices are essential to avoid accidents when attaching or detaching accessories or loads on a skid steer. Always ensure the skid steer is on level ground, the machine is turned off and the parking brake is engaged before attaching or detaching anything. Double-check that all connections are secure, and the load is properly balanced before moving.
Improper loading techniques — such as uneven weight distribution or failure to secure attachments — can cause the skid steer to tip or malfunction. These incidents pose severe safety risks and increase insurance premiums due to frequent claims and workplace injuries.
9. Proper maintenance and servicing
Keeping your skid steer on a regular maintenance schedule is crucial for performance and safety. Timely inspections and preventive maintenance help you catch minor mechanical issues before they turn into expensive problems.
Regular checks of the engine, hydraulics and attachments ensure everything operates smoothly and safely. A well-maintained machine protects your operators and helps you stay compliant with safety regulations, which can prevent costly insurance claims. Staying on top of maintenance reduces the risks and keeps your skid steer running efficiently on the job.
10. Implementing safety training programs
Continuous training is essential for new and experienced skid steer operators to keep safety at the forefront of daily operations. Studies show that information sharing, proper utilization and strong management commitment have the most significant impacts on improving a worker’s safety performance.
Well-trained operators are more likely to follow safe practices, handle equipment correctly and respond to potential hazards efficiently. This reduces workplace incidents and helps lower insurance costs by minimizing the risk of accidents and claims. Committing to ongoing training creates a safer, more knowledgeable workforce that benefits everyone on the jobsite.
Building a safer future with smart investments
Companies investing in safety technologies, continuous training and regular equipment maintenance take proactive steps toward ensuring long-term safety on their jobsites. These efforts reduce workplace accidents, help lower insurance premiums and improve overall productivity. For further protection, explore our Workers’ Compensation products designed to cover your clients in the event of an accident.