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Skid Steer Loader Safety

Skid steer loaders are handy on nearly every farm, and their small size can make them seem simple. Their lifting arms, pinch points and quick movement call for real training and care.

Why do skid steers need special care?

A skid steer turns by driving the wheels on each side at different speeds, which makes it very maneuverable in tight spaces. That same quality means it can move suddenly and unexpectedly. Operators sit close to the lift arms and the bucket.

The machine is often borrowed, rented or shared among several workers with different experience. Each operator should read the manual for the specific model.

Check controls and the operator's restraint system before moving. Different models use different restraints, and the manual describes how yours works.

What should you check before use?

Do a walk-around. Look at tires or tracks, hydraulic lines, the bucket and attachment couplers, lights, and any guards or enclosure around the operator. Make sure the restraint system and any safety interlocks work as the manufacturer describes.

Do not defeat or bypass safety devices, such as seat sensors or restraint bars.

Check the area as well. Look for holes, debris, soft ground and overhead obstacles before you begin, and decide where bystanders and other machines will be.

• Tires or tracks and wheel hardware
• Hydraulic lines and fittings
• Attachment coupler and locks
• Operator restraint and interlocks
• Lights, horn and mirrors

How should you handle loads?

Keep loads low while traveling, and carry them as the manual advises. Do not overload the machine. Rated capacities depend on the model and configuration, and they are listed by the manufacturer; do not guess.

Avoid sharp turns with raised loads and take care on slopes and uneven ground, where tipping is possible. Move slowly and keep the load downhill or uphill as the manual recommends.

Watch for overhead lines, beams and doorways when raising the arms.

• Keep the load low and tilted back as the manual advises
• Travel straight up and down slopes rather than across
• Stop and lower the arms before leaving the seat

What are the pinch and crush hazards?

The lift arms and the area between them and the frame can crush a person. Never put any part of your body in that area, and do not allow anyone to stand under a raised bucket or attachment. Hydraulic systems can fail, so raised arms need mechanical support when someone must work beneath them.

Get in and out only as the manual describes, with the arms lowered, the engine off and the brake set. Do not reach out of the operator area while the machine is on.

Treat any raised attachment as a hazard, and lower it fully before leaving the seat.

How do you protect bystanders?

Keep people out of the work area, and never carry riders. Visibility can be limited by the arms and the bucket, especially to the rear and sides. Use mirrors, cameras and a spotter where appropriate.

Children and visitors should never be near a working skid steer. Check that nobody is around before starting or moving, and before leaving the machine.

Agree on signals with anyone who works near you, and stop right away if you lose sight of them.

What training and rules apply?

Operators should learn the controls, warning signs and shutdown procedures from the manual and a trained person, then practice in an open area. Young workers face specific federal and state rules, so confirm with the U.S. Department of Labor before assigning work.

Employers should check with OSHA and the state for requirements that apply to their operation.

Review attachments one at a time. Each one changes how the machine handles, and the manual explains how to connect and lock it.

Where can you find official guidance?

Read the operator manual, and use OSHA's agriculture page, NIOSH's agriculture program and extension offices for more. Dealers can provide demonstrations. If anyone is hurt or trapped, call 911.

Many dealers will show new operators the controls and safety devices in a short orientation. Ask for one.

• Keep the manual stored on the machine

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.