Safety Tips For Bulldozer Operators

Safety while operating a bulldozer is very important because it is such a powerful machine that serious injury and death are real probabilities when something goes wrong.

1. only qualified operators should be on a bulldozer
2. seatbelts should always be used
3. operators must follow proper lockout, blockout, and tagout procedures
4. flaggers must be assigned where signs and barricades cannot control traffic
5. bulldozers should be kept away from overhead power lines and water mains
6. warning devices must be heard through the entire worksite
7. shut off engine when refueling
8. bulldozer must have rollover protection structures
9. if there isn’t a specified hand or foot hold, don’t climb there
10. know what will be potentially hazardous, like structures that are taller than the machine and can collapse 
11. use proper systems and procedures to secure unattended bulldozers from movement
12. never use a bulldozer that has not been inspected pre-shift — fluid levels, brakes, signals, etc.
13. be aware of changes on the work site that will affect safety, excavations, etc.
14. no passengers. Period
15. always park on level ground

Just about every accident on a bulldozer is the result of someone ignoring safety precautions. Sometimes they do it because nothing happened the last time, or they think they can control a situation. You’ll run into some operators who refuse to wear safety belts, for instance, because they think they can jump off if the machine tips — those are the guys who go flying wildly off the seat instead. The result is not good.

When you become certified at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School, you are taught the reasons behind the rules, and understand what you are doing when you get into the seat of a bulldozer or any other machinery we train you on. That’s why our graduates are sought out by employers who want qualified operators on the job.