| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic hazards, pedestrians, parked vehicles, uneven roadway | Conduct site assessment; identify high traffic zones; plan route; set cones or signs if sweeping requires lane shifts |
| Inspect sweeper | Hydraulic leaks, worn brooms, clogged filters, faulty lights or alarms | Perform full pre trip inspection; check suction hose, gutter brooms, water system, hopper seals, backup alarm, flashing beacons |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, dust exposure, hearing damage | Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and reflective vest before entering sweeper or roadway |
| Enter and exit cab safely | Slips, falls, poor footing | Use three points of contact; keep steps clear of mud or debris; never jump from cab |
| Start sweeper and test functions | Unexpected broom movement, backup hazards | Test hopper lift, fan suction, broom rotation, water spray, and lights; verify backup alarm and mirrors are properly adjusted |
| Begin sweeping route | Struck by traffic, dust reducing visibility, flying debris | Activate beacons; use water spray to control dust; keep gutter brooms low enough for curb contact; maintain slow controlled speed |
| Maintain safe distance from obstacles | Contact with parked vehicles, street furniture, curbs | Sweep at a consistent lateral distance; avoid abrupt steering; use mirrors and cameras continuously |
| Manage debris and suction hazards | Foreign objects striking cab, clogging suction hose | Reduce sweeping speed in heavy debris areas; avoid large or sharp objects; if clogging occurs, shut down equipment before clearing |
| Monitor hopper load and dust system | Hopper overflow, airborne dust, fire potential in dry debris | Check hopper level regularly; activate dust suppression; empty hopper before it becomes overfull |
| Dump collected debris | Hopper tipping hazard, falling material, backing into obstacles | Use designated dump site; back with spotter if needed; keep personnel clear of dump area; raise and lower hopper slowly |
| Work near traffic and pedestrians | Motorists veering toward sweeper, pedestrians stepping into path | Use additional signage or flaggers if necessary; maintain predictable path of travel; reduce speed in pedestrian zones |
| Conduct post operation inspection | Hot components, sharp debris, leaks | Allow equipment to cool; inspect brooms, hoses, and hopper; remove debris from screens and guards |
| Clean work area | Debris left in roadway, slip hazards at dump site | Sweep remaining material by hand if required; ensure dump site and work area are free from hazards |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Long pants and long sleeves
Dust mask or respirator if sweeping in dusty conditions
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Equipment Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic hazards, pedestrians, parked vehicles, uneven roadway | Conduct site assessment; identify high traffic zones; plan route; set cones or signs if sweeping requires lane shifts |
| Inspect sweeper | Hydraulic leaks, worn brooms, clogged filters, faulty lights or alarms | Perform full pre trip inspection; check suction hose, gutter brooms, water system, hopper seals, backup alarm, flashing beacons |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, dust exposure, hearing damage | Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and reflective vest before entering sweeper or roadway |
| Enter and exit cab safely | Slips, falls, poor footing | Use three points of contact; keep steps clear of mud or debris; never jump from cab |
| Start sweeper and test functions | Unexpected broom movement, backup hazards | Test hopper lift, fan suction, broom rotation, water spray, and lights; verify backup alarm and mirrors are properly adjusted |
| Begin sweeping route | Struck by traffic, dust reducing visibility, flying debris | Activate beacons; use water spray to control dust; keep gutter brooms low enough for curb contact; maintain slow controlled speed |
| Maintain safe distance from obstacles | Contact with parked vehicles, street furniture, curbs | Sweep at a consistent lateral distance; avoid abrupt steering; use mirrors and cameras continuously |
| Manage debris and suction hazards | Foreign objects striking cab, clogging suction hose | Reduce sweeping speed in heavy debris areas; avoid large or sharp objects; if clogging occurs, shut down equipment before clearing |
| Monitor hopper load and dust system | Hopper overflow, airborne dust, fire potential in dry debris | Check hopper level regularly; activate dust suppression; empty hopper before it becomes overfull |
| Dump collected debris | Hopper tipping hazard, falling material, backing into obstacles | Use designated dump site; back with spotter if needed; keep personnel clear of dump area; raise and lower hopper slowly |
| Work near traffic and pedestrians | Motorists veering toward sweeper, pedestrians stepping into path | Use additional signage or flaggers if necessary; maintain predictable path of travel; reduce speed in pedestrian zones |
| Conduct post operation inspection | Hot components, sharp debris, leaks | Allow equipment to cool; inspect brooms, hoses, and hopper; remove debris from screens and guards |
| Clean work area | Debris left in roadway, slip hazards at dump site | Sweep remaining material by hand if required; ensure dump site and work area are free from hazards |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Long pants and long sleeves
Dust mask or respirator if sweeping in dusty conditions