Guidelines for Safe Equipment Operation
READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Each machine is supplied with an operator’s manual in a
designated compartment. The operator’s manual contains
important safety and operational information. Read it
thoroughly before operating your equipment.
UNDERSTAND EQUIPMENT OPERATION
After reading your operator’s manual, familiarize yourself with
all control functions on equipment. Spend enough time to
understand how to properly operate the equipment before
using.
Note: Trenching/tilling/cutting direction is generally toward the
operator.
WEAR A SEATBELT
All seated operator machines are equipped with a seatbelt.
It is very important that you wear a seatbelt while operating
equipment, as all mobile equipment can tip over.
KEEP OTHERS AT LEAST SIX FEET AWAY
While operating equipment, keep bystanders and other
workers at least six feet away from the reach of equipment.
Stop the machine if anyone gets too close.
USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Wear appropriate protective equipment such as safety glasses,
earplugs, a hard hat, gloves, and steel-toe boots.
CALL 811 BEFORE DIGGING
Call 811 for your local one-call utility locating services. Also,
contact any utilities that don’t subscribe to one-call. Locations
are not exact. Only hand digging is allowed within the
hand-dig zone on either side of the locate. Check local
regulations for the width of the hand-dig zone.
STANDARD COLOR CODES FOR UTILITY MARKINGS
Red – electric Blue – drinking water
Orange – telecommunication Violet – reclaimed water
Yellow – natural gas Pink – unidentified facilities
Green – sewer/waste White – proposed excavation
USE PROPER TIE DOWNS
When hauling equipment, it is very important to use the proper
size, type and number of tie downs. Equipment is marked with
tie down locations.
USE EQUIPMENT CAREFULLY
Before using, look over your equipment. Visually inspect for
leaks, loose fittings or hardware. If anything doesn’t look right,
do not use equipment until it is corrected.
UNDERSTAND ALERTS ON EQUIPMENT
! DANGER ! WARNING ! CAUTION
Always heed the messages indicated by the alerts on your
equipment. Your first priority is your safety and the safety of
those around you.
For operator’s manuals and safety videos,
visit ditchwitch.com/safe.
Note: This guide is intended only as a quick reference/
reminder to reinforce information provided in the operator’s
manual. Thoroughly read and understand the equipment’s
operator’s manual before using.
A Charles Machine Works Company
