Safety is Important When Operating Skid Steer Loaders
Skid steer loaders are commonly used on construction jobsites and it is crucial these machines be used safely by a properly trained operator.
Skid steer loaders are used in home building principally during the site preparation phase of construction. Their size and maneuverability make them ideal for quickly moving earth, rocks, and other materials on a job site.
But their size and ease of use also means that workers do not need a specialty license to operate the equipment. And while OSHA does require training for operators, home builders need to pay particular attention to safety procedures as improper skid steer loader operation can lead to injury.
Follow these tips to help workers understand what to do before and during operating skid steer loaders.
Before Operation
- If digging or excavating, call 811 for info on nearby utility lines.
- Inspect tires, tracks, windshield and loader bucket for signs of wear and tear.
- Check all safety systems, including seat belt, protective structures and interlock system.
- Make sure the ground is stable and even before operating.
- All potential operators must be trained by someone who is competent and knowledgeable on how to use the machine and how to inspect it.
During Operation
- Maintain three points of contact when climbing into and out of the cab.
- Clear the travel path of pedestrians.
- Never allow additional passengers or riders on the outside or inside of the cab.
- Always lower the bucket or attachment while traveling so the operator’s view is unobstructed.
- Do not travel across slopes; always travel with the heavy end of the machine pointed uphill. The heavy end can depend on the load the machine is carrying at that time.
- Shut the engine off every time before exiting the cab and never attempt to activate any of the controls while outside of the cab.
For more on safe skid steer loader operation, view the safety toolbox talk video below or visit the Skid Steer Loader Safety page for a Spanish version of the video and a handout available in English and Spanish.

Latest from NAHBNow
Aug 29, 2025
NAHB's Monthly Update Features Canadian Lumber Duties Talking PointsThe update provides the latest messaging framework to help members articulate housing priorities and latest news related to the Canadian lumber imports and builder sentiment.
Aug 28, 2025
Podcast: Congressional Priorities and the Trump Economy Heading into FallOn the latest episode of NAHB podcast Housing Developments, NAHB CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss how the rest of the year looks as Congress gets ready to return to Washington next week.
Latest Economic News
Aug 29, 2025
Multifamily Absorption Rises in the Second QuarterThe percentage of new apartment units that were absorbed within three months after completion rose in the second quarter, according to the Census Bureau’s latest release of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA).
Aug 28, 2025
Mortgage Rates Move Lower, Hitting 10-Month LowAverage mortgage rates in August continued their steady decline and are now at their lowest rate since last November.
Aug 27, 2025
Wood-Framed Home Share Increased in 2024Wood framing continues to dominate the U.S. single-family home construction market, according to NAHB analysis of 2024 Census Bureau data.