Staying Safe Around Heavy Equipment on the Jobsite

Heavy equipment brings power and efficiency to any landscaping or hardscaping job, but it also brings risk. Whether you're operating a skid steer or walking a load of pavers past a wheel loader, maintaining visibility and situational awareness is a must. Most jobsite accidents involving equipment aren’t caused by reckless behaviour. They happen when communication breaks down, sightlines are obstructed or routine safety practices fall by the wayside. Here are some best practices to follow:

Keep It Low and Keep It Clear

A raised bucket or set of forks might seem harmless when the coast looks clear, but it severely limits visibility. That’s why most safety training begins with a fundamental rule: travel with your load low. For forklifts and loaders, that generally means 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) off the ground to provide enough clearance to avoid ground-level obstacles while keeping the operator’s view of the path ahead unobstructed.

Buckets should also be slightly tilted back to secure the load. This not only protects the material but also prevents forward spills that could injure someone or block a walking path. In places with limited space, visibility may already be compromised. Keeping equipment low gives operators better peripheral awareness and minimizes blind spots, especially when maneuvering around trenches, curbs or ungraded terrain.

Equally important is load consistency. Overfilled pallets or heaping buckets block views, increase tipping risks and compromise braking control. When loads must be tall, consider assigning a spotter. It may slow progress briefly, but it's a small price to pay compared to an accident.

See and Be Seen

Safety doesn’t begin and end with the operator. Pedestrians have an equally important role, especially in shared spaces where jobs overlap. It’s important to keep a safe distance to account for unexpected swings, reversing or bucket movement, any of which can be dangerous in the wrong moment.

High-visibility apparel isn’t just for large construction sites. On residential or commercial landscaping jobs, bright vests and reflective gear help operators identify coworkers faster, particularly during dusk or dawn when light levels are low. Movement catches the eye, but muted clothing can cause someone to blend into the background, especially near trees or dark structures.

Maintaining eye contact with the operator is another basic but powerful best practice. If you can’t see them, they likely can’t see you. Approaching equipment from the side, never from the front or rear, reduces the chance of entering a blind spot. Crews should establish simple hand signals or verbal calls that help communicate intent quickly.

Sound the Horn, Then Move

Communication is a two-way street, but the person in the machine often has the best ability to initiate it. That’s why sounding the horn—before backing up, turning or entering a shared zone—is standard. It alerts anyone nearby that the machine is in motion and reinforces the operator's presence. This should be second nature on jobs with high foot traffic or multiple trades working in proximity.

Still, horns only work if people know what to do when they hear them. That’s why safety reminders and brief morning huddles make a difference. If everyone knows that a horn blast means “equipment moving—check your surroundings,” it cuts down on misunderstandings. Assigning a ground lead on each job to watch pedestrian flow and vehicle activity helps create order when multiple machines are in use.

On larger or multi-phase sites, consider laying out temporary routes or marked staging zones to separate foot traffic from equipment paths. It may feel like overkill on a fast-moving job, but even a few cones or stakes can define safe zones and reduce crowding around machines.

Don’t Let Familiarity Turn into Complacency

One of the biggest risks on any jobsite is routine. When a team works with the same tools every day, it’s easy to stop seeing the hazards. A skid steer becomes just another tool. The sound of an engine fades into background noise. That’s when trouble hits. The safest teams are the ones that stay alert, even when the job feels familiar.

Rotating roles can help as well. When crew members switch between operating and pedestrian tasks, they develop better understanding of each role’s challenges. Operators become more cautious about blind spots and walkers become more aware of approach angles and machine behaviour.

Likewise, sharing near misses during toolbox talks can be a wake-up call without waiting for an incident. Framing these discussions around improvement—not blame—builds a stronger safety culture that reinforces personal accountability and team awareness.

Create a Jobsite Where Safety Leads the Way

A safe worksite doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of habits, equipment protocols, clear communication and consistent visibility. If you're a contractor running multiple crews or even just a small team, you’re setting the tone. Prioritize visibility. Keep equipment low. Make PPE non-negotiable. And treat safety as a shared goal, not a checklist.

Whether it’s your first job of the season or one of many in your calendar, stay sharp. The choices made on every jobsite affect your ability to show up ready for the next one. For essential safety gear, tools and equipment, visit your nearest SiteOne® Landscape Supply today.