FOR SAFETY SAKE
continued from page 17 check for leaks. High-pressure fluid escaping from a small hole in a hose or fitting can penetrate your skin. Hydraulic fluidinjection poisoning can lead to amputation, or even death—so be careful. Be sure that all safety switches are connected and working according to the manufacturer’s design. The operator’s manual and the unit’s safety signs are designed to make operators aware of certain hazards associated with the operation and service of the unit. Replace these as they become worn, damaged or misplaced.
LOADING AND TRANSPORTING The tow vehicle must be able to handle the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the loaded trailer as well as the tongue load. Make sure the trailer and tow vehicle are properly connected, and that the towing vehicle’s parking brake is set prior to loading equipment on trailer. With everyone clear of the loading area, lower the equipment throttle and slowly load the machine onto the trailer. Lower all attachments not held by stow locks, set the parking brake if supplied and secure the machine to the trailer with tiedowns. Reverse the procedure for unloading the unit. Always follow all state and federal D.O.T. regulations.
18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
JOBSITE PREPARATION Before beginning any job, mark the proposed trench path with white paint and contact your local one-call service or the national 811 number to have all underground utilities located and marked. In most cases, this should be done at least 48 hours prior to start of job, but check your local and state regulations for one-call regulations and notification. Knowledge of the laws in your area is important. Some states may not require all underground utility owners to be members of the one-call system. In those instances, utility owners must be contacted separately. It is your responsibility to prevent damage to underground utilities. Walk the jobsite and look for signs of buried utilities that may have been missed. These could include trench lines, utility risers or pads, meters, lines coming down utility poles, and manholes. Other items often overlooked are yard lights, power to outbuildings and invisible dog fences. Some of these may be an inconvenience if damaged, while others can cause serious injury.