Rev.0
September 5, 2011
NSWP 4.2 - 3
VERIFY HARD COPY AGAINST WEB SITE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USE
Nuclear Safe Work Practice 4.2 Operation of Light / Heavy Equipment
1.0 PURPOSE/SCOPE
This Safe Work Practice provides information for employees regarding the use of heavy and light equipment. This safe work practice was developed from
requirements set forth in the OSHA regulations and Operating Experience from Duke Energy events. Employees and contractors who work at nuclear sites are expected to use this work practice as guidance in the performance of their duties.
2.0 DEFINITION
Exclusion Safe Zone - Exclusion safe zones are areas established to identify that heavy equipment operation activities are taking place. The exclusion zone is
established to restrict access to avoid endangering other workers in the area. Access into the exclusion zone must be authorized.
Heavy Equipment- Heavy equipment is heavy duty vehicles like earth movers, road pavers, asphalt makers and steam rollers. Construction crews and site work groups will use these machines to complete large building projects or infrastructure activities.
Light Equipment- Light equipment is vehicles like lawn mowers, tractors, chainsaws, and tamps. Individuals will use this equipment to complete small digging, cutting, mowing and landscaping activities.
Spotter – A person employed to monitor the work area to make sure the operator has adequate visibility and to keep unauthorized persons clear of the work area (vehicle or pedestrians). It is up to the spotter to watch out for the heavy equipment to avoid being run over as it backs up or makes other maneuvers. A spotter should not have collateral duties.
3.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Managers/Supervisors shall be responsible for ensuring their work groups comply with the guidance set forth in this work practice.
Job Sponsors/Project Managers shall be responsible for ensuring that
contract/vendor personnel comply with the requirements of this work practice.
September 5, 2011
NSWP 4.2 - 4
4.0 SECTIONS
4.1 General Guidance for Operating Light and Heavy Equipment 4.2 Operation of Light Equipment
4.2 Operation of Heavy Equipment
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NSWP 4.2 - 3
Section 1. General Guidance for Operating Light and Heavy Equipment
1. Ensure operators have demonstrated skills or have attended training on the safe operation of light and heavy and heavy equipment.
2. Ensure all light and heavy equipment meets manufacturer's minimum requirements for safe operation.
3. Daily inspection of light and heavy equipment before use. Identify defective equipment, remove it from service, and do not use it until repaired.
4. Before operating light and heavy equipment, inspect work areas, and safeguard identified hazards.
5. Operate all light and heavy equipment within manufacturer's recommended operating parameters.
6. Before operating light and heavy equipment greater than 20 horse power with an operator's seat (excluding trucks), ensure it is equipped with approved roll over protection safety (ROPS), if required.
7. Ensure light and heavy equipment with an operator's seat and roll over protection safety (ROPS) is equipped with a seat belt.
8. When operating light and heavy equipment, wear a seat belt where provided.
9. Before exiting operator's seat from all light and heavy equipment, lower attachments to the ground and apply parking brake.
10. When riding on light and heavy equipment, ride only on designated positions.
11. Ensure all equipment operated during poor visibility or inclement weather is equipped with proper lighting and appropriate safety devices (e.g., windshield wipers, defroster).
12. Detailed pre-job briefings are required. Job hazard analysis or other hazard identification tools should also be implemented.
Section 2. Operation of Light Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Tractors, Chainsaws, Tamps, Etc)
1. When digging, drilling, driving objects, or trenching close to energized circuits, locate underground utilities (e.g., electrical lines, telephone, water, natural gas, and other piping systems) and take measures to prevent damage.
2. Use handrails, steps, etc. to climb on and off light equipment.
3. When engaged in a winching operation with light equipment, be positioned safely (e.g., behind the door).
4. When operating a weedeater with a blade, (brushsaw) wear leggings or chaps and eye and face protection.
5. When operating a tamp (except for pole tamps), wear foot protection including toe and metatarsal guards.
Personal Protective Equipment for Light Equipment Operators 1. Use the following required personal protective equipment:
a. Hearing protection
NSWP 4.2 - 4
b. Safety glasses c. Work gloves
d. Wear footwear appropriate for the environment and for the equipment being used
Section 3. Operation of Heavy Equipment (Bulldozers, Motor Graders, Packers, Core Drills, Bob-Cat, Track Hoe, etc.)
1. When digging, drilling, driving objects, or trenching close to energized circuits, locate underground utilities (e.g., electrical lines, telephone, water, natural gas, and other piping systems) and take measures to prevent damage.
2. Use handrails, steps, etc. to climb on or off heavy equipment.
3. When engaged in a winching operation, use heavy equipment equipped with heavy metal mesh guard for protection.
4. Ensure all heavy equipment is equipped with back-up alarms and warning devices.
5. Ensure all heavy equipment is equipped with a fire extinguisher where designed.
6. Grading operators will be required to use machine mounted laser equipment whenever possible.
a. When the use of machine mounted laser equipment is not feasible or not accurate enough, measurements by ground personnel can only take place well outside the expected area of operations for any adjacent equipment.
7. When work involves gas-powered machinery for trenching and excavation work ensure precautions are taken to check for carbon monoxide levels in trenches where people may be working. Refer to NSWP 6.8 “Trenching and Excavation”.
8. A spotter must be used during heavy equipment operations in any area with the potential for hazardous exposure to other workers (pedestrians and/or vehicles). See details in
Protection of Personnel section below.
Personal Protective Equipment for Heavy Equipment Operators 1. Use the following required personal protective equipment:
a. Hearing protection b. Work gloves c. Safety glasses
i. Note - Safety glasses are not required in enclosed cabs.
d. Wear footwear appropriate for the environment and for the equipment being used
Protection of Personnel Working in area of Heavy Equipment
1. Where operators and other workers, such as grade checkers, are working in the same area, procedures shall be in place to ensure that their activities are coordinated.
2. Exclusion safe zones shall be established.
3. If there is poor visibility a spotter shall be used.
4. Access must be restricted to essential personnel only.
5. Cell phone use is not allowed in the exclusion safe zone.
6. Equipment operators will be required to have a radio for use in communicating with ground personnel. In no case shall a worker mount a piece of energized (i.e. running) piece of equipment to question or direct an operator.
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NSWP 4.2 - 5
7. When the employees are in a specific work zone be sure to stay far away from the heavy equipment until the employee has the attention of the operator or some means of
communication has been established otherwise.
8. Before approaching any piece of heavy equipment, employees must get the operators attention and make eye contact from a safe distance. Employees should only approach when the operator acknowledges their presence and indicates it is safe to approach 9. Any direct communications between equipment operators and other workers can only be
made after the operator of the equipment has de-energized the equipment (i.e. turned the equipment off) and the operator has dismounted the equipment.
10. A spotter must be used during heavy equipment operations in any area with the potential for hazardous exposure to other workers (pedestrians and/or vehicles).
a. Stand away from the equipment and remain in clear view of the operator.
b. Be vigilant of the operator's blind spots.
c. Certain locations where there is pedestrian traffic nearby may require more than one spotter.
d. Spotter should direct the equipment operator during back up as needed and should use extra vigilance during any back-up operation. Always be on the alert for
situations where backward motion is hazardous, and situations where the operator's vision is obstructed.
e. Exercise extra vigilance in congested areas or where it is very noisy.
11. A spotter is not necessary in a remote area where no one other than the equipment operator is in the area. However, the entrance to the work area must be marked with warning
sign/tape for awareness to anyone that approaches the area.
