Operator Checklist

Follow these tips to ensure the safety of your workforce. 

Safe operation demands constant dilligence and should always be the operator’s No. 1 priority. Before operating any soil compactor, the operator should understand several things: 

Using the right tool is essential to safety. The operator should understand the designated use of the machine and use it only for its intended purpose. This includes monitoring the soil type and restricting usage to compatible soil. 

Safe operation require a qualified operator. Equipment operators should be at least 18 years old and should understand the instructions for operation and maintenance prior to use. 

Protective clothing and devices are always recommended. This is necessary for the safety and comfort of the operator. This includes a hard hat, ear plugs or protectors (noise levels may exceed 90 dbA), work gloves and stee-toed safety boots. 

The hand-guided soil compacors should be used in well-ventilated areas. The reduces the chance of exposure to harmful exhaust fumes from gasoline or diesel engines. 

Extreme caution should be taken when operating a machine on unstable ground, such as on slopes or at the edge of an overhang or brink. If it is necessary to compact the soil on a slope, the operator should always position himself on the uphill side of the machine. This way, if the soil becomes unstable and the machine rolls over, the operator will not likely be harmed. 

Preparation is always the first step in safe operation. Though safety instructions often seem like common sense and reading them might seem like a waste of time, all operators should read any operating or maintenance instructions before using any machine. Instructional booklets commonly provide general safety instructions, detailed information for the safe operation of all types of soil compactors, legends for any mechanical indicators on the comapctor and other information that may not be intuitive to even an experienced operator.