Swing Radius

To prevent the backhoe or crane from striking or crushing employees, always barricade areas within the “swing radius” of the rear of the crane’s rotating superstructure.

This barrier can consist of orange reflective traffic cones or barrels which marks and warns both the crew members and the uninformed public of the dangers of these machines.

Each operator is responsible for the placement of the swing radius barriers when the machine is being operated. These markers are to be kept with the machine when not in operation and are to be placed by the operator when making the walk around safety check, prior to operation.

All employees are to be instructed in the purpose of the barriers and no work is to be conducted inside the barriers when the machine is in operation. If repairs to the machine or maintenance is required, the machine should not be in operation. If work is necessary adjacent to the machine, the operator should stop and assist in the work.

Equipment operators can work to prevent accidents. Each operator should develop a habit of walking around their equipment before operation. Check the equipment itself and the area where you will be operating the equipment. Are there any obstacles such as depressions or poles that might effect how you operate your machine…are the barricades sufficient and still in place.

ELIMINATE EQUIPMENT ACCIDENTS FOLLOW SAFE WORK PROCEDURES