Mobile Plant and Spotters Toolbox Talk
Excavators, loaders, telehandlers, rollers and trucks have big blind spots, and operators often cannot see people on foot. Being hit or run over by plant is one of the most common ways people die on site. Keeping people and plant apart is the key.
Takes about 5 minutes.
Key points to read out
- Keep people and plant separated with barriers, exclusion zones and marked walkways.
- Never approach plant until the operator has seen you, made eye contact and signalled it is safe.
- Know the blind spots. If you cannot see the operator's eyes or mirrors, they cannot see you.
- Use a spotter when reversing or working in tight areas. Agree hand signals or radio calls before you start.
- Spotters stay in sight of the operator, never behind the machine and never between it and a fixed object.
- If the operator loses sight of the spotter, they stop.
- Only trained and authorised people operate plant, usually holding a CPCS or NPORS card.
- Do pre-start checks every shift, and wear the seatbelt.
- When parked: bucket or forks down, brake on, engine off, key out.
Questions to ask the crew
- Where are the plant exclusion zones on site today?
- What hand signals are we using?
- What must happen before you walk up to a working machine?
- Who is spotting for the plant today?
Reference: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Sign-in sheet
Print this page or download the sign-in sheet. Or run it in the app and the crew signs on the phone.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
Get it signed
Run this talk in the app. The crew signs on your phone and you get a dated attendance record as a PDF.