13.1: Introduction to Motor Vehicles and Mechanized Equipment

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Introduction

Subpart O of the 1926 OSHA Construction Standards contains general safety requirements for motor vehicles and mechanized equipment that are commonly used on all types of construction sites by all trades, including their construction and use. Subpart 0 also contains requirements for lifting and hauling equipment, which is not covered by Subpart N.

Signs, signals, and barricades

Subpart G contains the requirements for the construction of signs, signals and barricades. Included in this subpart are color code and lettering restrictions for signs and requirements for flagmen engaged in signaling operations.

Mechanized Equipment - General

All equipment left unattended at night, adjacent to a highway in normal use, or adjacent to construction areas where work is in progress, shall have appropriate lights or reflectors, or barricades equipped with appropriate lights or reflectors, to identify the location of the equipment.

Inflating, mounting, or dismounting tires

A safety tire rack, cage, or equivalent protection shall be provided and used when inflating, mounting, or dismounting tires installed on split rims or rims equipped with locking rings or similar devices.

Working under or between heavy machinery

Heavy machinery, equipment, or parts thereof, which are suspended or held aloft by use of slings, hoists, or jacks shall be substantially blocked or cribbed to prevent falling or shifting before employees are permitted to work under or between them. Bulldozer and scraper blades, end-loader buckets, dump bodies, and similar equipment, shall be either fully lowered or blocked when being repaired or when not in use. All controls shall be in a neutral position, with the motors stopped and brakes set, unless work being performed requires otherwise.

Parking brake use

Whenever the equipment is parked, the parking brake shall be set. Equipment parked on inclines shall have the wheels chocked and the parking brake set.

Working Space Clearance

All equipment covered by this subpart shall comply with the workspace clearance requirements of 1926. 550(a)(15) when working or being moved in the vicinity of power lines or energized transmitters.

Motor Vehicles

Applicable regulations

Motor vehicles as covered by this part are those vehicles that operate within an off-highway jobsite not open to public traffic. The requirements of this section do not apply to equipment for which rules are prescribed in 1926.602.

Brake requirements

All vehicles shall have a service brake system, an emergency brake system, and a parking brake system. These systems may use common components, and shall be maintained in operable condition.

Visibility conditions

Whenever visibility conditions warrant additional light, all vehicles, or combinations of vehicles, in use shall be equipped with at least two headlights and two tail lights in operable condition.

Brake lights

All vehicles, or combination of vehicles, shall have brake lights in operable condition regardless of light conditions.

Audible warning systems

All vehicles shall be equipped with an adequate audible warning device at the operator's station and in an operable condition.

Obstructed view

No employer shall use any motor vehicle equipment having an obstructed view to the rear unless:

The vehicle has a reverse signal alarm audible above the surrounding noise level, or;
The vehicle is backed up only when an observer signals that it is safe to do so.

Vehicles with cabs

All vehicles with cabs shall be equipped with windshields and powered wipers. Cracked and broken glass shall be replaced. Vehicles operating in areas or under conditions that cause fogging or frosting of the windshields shall be equipped with operable defogging or defrosting devices.

Tools and material

Tools and material shall be secured to prevent movement when transported in the same compartment with employees.

Vehicles used to transport employees

Vehicles used to transport employees shall have seats firmly secured and adequate for the number of employees to be carried.

Trucks with dump bodies

Trucks with dump bodies shall be equipped with positive means of support permanently attached and capable of being locked in position to prevent accidental lowering of the body while maintenance or inspection work is being done.

Operating levers

Operating levers controlling hoisting or dumping devices on haulage bodies shall be equipped with a latch or other device which will prevent accidental starting or tripping of the mechanism. Trip handles for tailgates of dump trucks shall be arranged while dumping, so the operator will be in the clear.

Effective date

All rubber-tired motor vehicle equipment manufactured on or after May, 1972 shall be equipped with fenders.

Mud flaps

Mud flaps may be used in lieu of fenders whenever motor vehicle equipment is not designed for fenders.

Vehicle inspection

All vehicles in use shall be checked at the beginning of each shift to assure that the following parts, equipment, and accessories are in safe operating condition and free of apparent damage that could cause failure while in use: service brakes, including trailer brake connections; parking system (hand brake); emergency stopping system (brakes); tires; horn; steering mechanism; coupling devices; seat belts; operating controls; and safety devices. All defects shall be corrected before the vehicle is placed in service. These requirements also apply to equipment such as lights reflectors, windshield wipers, defrosters, fire extinguishers, etc., where such equipment is necessary.