Backhoe & Excavator Safety Checklist
A safety checklist for backhoe and excavator work on the farm, covering the machine, the jobsite, buried utilities, and operator habits.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
ChecklistMachinery & EquipmentFree PDF
What is on this checklist
- Walkaround for leaks and damage
- Seat belt and ROPS are intact
- Bucket, pins, and hoses checked
- Lights, horn, and backup alarm work
- Call before you dig for buried lines
- Overhead lines identified
- Slopes and trench edges reviewed
- Spotters and bystanders kept clear
- Machine parked and lowered when done
How to use this checklist
Use one sheet per unit, pen or field. Date it, sign it, and file the finished copy so you can look back at what was found and fixed.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with OSHA and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the used equipment buying tips. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Farm Safety Net Hits $13.8 Billion, Still Has Holes, and farming farm stories.