DIFFERENT CONTROLS ON SIMILAR EQUIPMENT

We may have to utilize equipment different then what we are used to. It is EXTREMELY important to take the time to learn different equipment controls, learn how it moves, learn how it stops, and take the time to ensure everyone’s safety.

Example:

An experienced tractor operator was constructing a road using a downhill bulldozing technique. About two hours later, he was found out of the tractor at the bottom of the slope. Also at the bottom of the slope was the tractor, lying on its side. The operator had been injured, when the tractor traveled over him. Why?

The rental tractor that the operator drove on the day of the accident was different from the tractor he usually drove. The control for the parking brake on the tractor that he usually drove is a lever. The control for the parking brake on the rental tractor was a mushroom-cap push rod. It was not located where the operator was used to finding the control for the parking brake.

This accident highlights a couple things. We as humans, get used to things and when controls change and we are not accustomed to their position, we may forget or get in a hurry and just "skip it".

If you've ever had a rental car and picked it up on a rainy night, sometimes it can take forever to try to find the headlights or the wiper controls . . . let alone try to figure out how to work the radio.

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with new equipment, before you begin using it, you may be glad you did, later.