Do not operate mobile plant of any description unless you have been trained (CPCS or NPORS) and authorised to do so.
Familiarise yourself with your machine and its controls - read the instruction book.
Keep your machine tidy and free from tools, personal property and other obstructions that may foul the controls.
Ensure that guards to open gearing, chains, revolving shafts and starting dogs, are maintained in position.
See that oil is not leaking onto the floor.
See that brakes and clutches are effective and have the adjustment checked frequently.
See that tyre pressures are correct.
Do not spill fuel or oil.
Never smoke when re-fueling.
Never use petrol for cleaning purposes.
Walk round your machine before operating it to make sure that it will not strike some person or some obstruction
Engage seatbelt at all times.
Ensure forward/reverse selector is in neutral before starting engine.
Test all controls before operating the machine.
Take care when mounting and dismounting, always use grab rails, maintain 3 points of contact and do not jump down.
Never attempt to mount or dismount a moving machine. Always engage the handbrake and turn the engine off before dismounting.
Do not carry passengers unless there is a proper seat for them.
Do not make adjustments with the engine running.
Remove hot radiator caps very slowly and with extreme care using a cloth drape.
When going downhill keep the machine in a low gear.
When stopping, even temporarily or after operation, put machine in neutral gear with the handbrake on.
Report defective handbrakes to site management immediatley.
Excavators
Do not use as a crane unless you are trained for lifting operations and you have been briefed on the excavator lift plan.
Do not pass bucket over the heads of persons.
Do not allow persons to work or pass within the radius of the lift.
Watch your swing at the rear - there must always be a gap of at least 600 mm. to allow persons to pass without becoming trapped.
Never pick up an overload.
Place all buckets in a designated bucket changing area, away from the operatives on site.
Never undercut a bank.
Always lower the bucket to the ground when it is not in use.
Leave the excavator unattended, with the key removed and engine turned off. Lock the door.
Dumpers
Before operating check that tyres are fully inflated and the brakes and handbrake are effective.
Obey site rules with regard to traffic routes, speed limits, etc. and give pedestrians plenty of room.
Do not carry passengers.
While the skip is being loaded, turn the engine off, apply the handbrake, dismount the dumper and stand well clear - do not remain on the dumper.
Loads must be secure, and within the capacity of the machine.
Do not carry loads which overhang excessively, or those which you have to hang on to.
Do not allow the load to obscure your forward vision.
Beware of the back end swinging out with rear wheel steering.
Avoid harsh acceleration and braking. Do not allow the wheels to spin.
On steep gradients, travel with the load up the slope.
On down gradients, do not reply solely on the brakes - always use a low gear.
Do not travel across steep gradients.
Before tipping, make sure that no person or obstruction is in the way.
Do not tip into an excavation unless effective stop blocks have been provided. Ensure the blocks are secure and always use them.
Do not drive onto spoil heaps to tip, tip at ground level and allow the excavators to heap the material.
Do not take the dumper onto a public road unless it is licensed and equipped for the purpose, you have a DVLA driving license as well as a CPCS/NPORS card and you have been authorised to do so.
At the end of working hours the machine should be effectively immobilised - seek advice or instruction if necessary.
Do not ‘bump start’ other vehicles.
Do not tow a lighting tower with mast raised - always lower it first.
Wear a seat belt correctly at all times.
Do not leave the dumper unattended with the engine running.
Do not attempt to drive a dumper which is in any way defective - report it at once.
Roll over protection (ROP) must be fitted and locking pins engaged.
Rough terrain telehandler
Always wear the seatbelt.
Ensure that your machine is serviceable and properly maintained at all times, checking regularly tyre pressures and ballasting are correct.
Understand the limits of your machine, both loaded and unloaded, and never exceed the maximum weight shown.
Always load with the mast vertical or tilted slightly back.
Have the forks as widely spaced as practicable to give maximum stability to the load.
Make sure your load is secure before moving off.
Ensure the load does not obscure your view of the way ahead. If your view is restricted, travel in reverse, with a banksman if necessary.
Beware of other personnel and plant in your working area. Sound the horn whenever necessary to warn others of your approach.
Always travel with the load in the lowest position. Do not raise the load while travelling - wait until the off-loading position has been reached.
Deposit loads gently onto storage areas and loading platforms.
Always travel at a steady speed consistent with site and load conditions. Do not accelerate, brake or turn hurriedly.
When driving on inclines, when load is carried the load should face uphill. When no load is carried the forks should always face downhill. Adjust tilt to suit gradient and raise just enough to clear the ground.
Ensure there is always sufficient clearance for the mast. Particular care is required in the vicinity of overhead power lines.
When the machine is parked, the forks must be lowered to the ground, the handbrake applied and the ignition key removed.
Do not lift or travel with broken pallets.
Report any defect in your machine or the system of work without delay.
Pedestrians
The movement of site transport can be unpredictable - keep your eyes and ears open and your wits about you when moving around the site.
If special pedestrian access-ways are provided stick to them.
