| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Equipment movement, poor lighting, unstable ground, traffic | Park machine on level surface; shut off engine; set parking brake; chock wheels; use cones if near roadway; ensure adequate lighting |
| Inspect tools and replacement edges | Damaged bolts, worn impact sockets, heavy edges difficult to handle | Use correct tools; check torque wrenches and impact guns; inspect new cutting edges for cracks or defects |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, hand injuries, foot injuries | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, and steel toe boots before handling edges |
| Secure equipment | Unexpected bucket or moldboard movement, hydraulic drift | Lower bucket or moldboard to ground; relieve hydraulic pressure; use blocking to prevent movement if required |
| Remove old hardware | Bolt head shearing, flying metal, tool kickback | Use proper size sockets; apply penetrating oil if needed; use controlled pressure; keep bystanders clear |
| Remove old cutting edges | Sudden drop of edge, pinch points, sharp edges | Support edge before removing final bolts; lift with legs, not back; use two person lift if heavy; watch hands around pinch points |
| Clean mounting surfaces | Rust and debris on edges causing poor fit, airborne dust | Use scraper or wire brush; wear eye protection; ensure surface is flat and clean |
| Install new cutting edges | Dropping heavy edges, misalignment, finger pinch | Align bolt holes before inserting bolts; use proper lifting technique; keep fingers clear of edges and mounting surfaces |
| Install and tighten hardware | Over tightening, stripped threads, tool slippage | Hand start bolts to prevent cross threading; use torque wrench to tighten to manufacturer specifications; avoid standing directly behind impact tools |
| Recheck alignment | Improper fit, uneven wear potential | Verify edge is straight and fully seated; adjust if necessary before final torque |
| Test movement of bucket or moldboard | Edge contacting ground improperly, hydraulic movement hazards | Raise and lower attachment slowly; ensure smooth operation; check for unusual noises or movement |
| Clean work area | Trip hazards, leftover hardware, metal shards | Collect old bolts and edges; sweep metal fragments; dispose of damaged parts properly |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest if working outdoors or near equipment
Hearing protection when using impact tools
Long pants and long sleeves
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: General Maintenance and Shop 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.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Equipment movement, poor lighting, unstable ground, traffic | Park machine on level surface; shut off engine; set parking brake; chock wheels; use cones if near roadway; ensure adequate lighting |
| Inspect tools and replacement edges | Damaged bolts, worn impact sockets, heavy edges difficult to handle | Use correct tools; check torque wrenches and impact guns; inspect new cutting edges for cracks or defects |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, hand injuries, foot injuries | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, and steel toe boots before handling edges |
| Secure equipment | Unexpected bucket or moldboard movement, hydraulic drift | Lower bucket or moldboard to ground; relieve hydraulic pressure; use blocking to prevent movement if required |
| Remove old hardware | Bolt head shearing, flying metal, tool kickback | Use proper size sockets; apply penetrating oil if needed; use controlled pressure; keep bystanders clear |
| Remove old cutting edges | Sudden drop of edge, pinch points, sharp edges | Support edge before removing final bolts; lift with legs, not back; use two person lift if heavy; watch hands around pinch points |
| Clean mounting surfaces | Rust and debris on edges causing poor fit, airborne dust | Use scraper or wire brush; wear eye protection; ensure surface is flat and clean |
| Install new cutting edges | Dropping heavy edges, misalignment, finger pinch | Align bolt holes before inserting bolts; use proper lifting technique; keep fingers clear of edges and mounting surfaces |
| Install and tighten hardware | Over tightening, stripped threads, tool slippage | Hand start bolts to prevent cross threading; use torque wrench to tighten to manufacturer specifications; avoid standing directly behind impact tools |
| Recheck alignment | Improper fit, uneven wear potential | Verify edge is straight and fully seated; adjust if necessary before final torque |
| Test movement of bucket or moldboard | Edge contacting ground improperly, hydraulic movement hazards | Raise and lower attachment slowly; ensure smooth operation; check for unusual noises or movement |
| Clean work area | Trip hazards, leftover hardware, metal shards | Collect old bolts and edges; sweep metal fragments; dispose of damaged parts properly |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest if working outdoors or near equipment
Hearing protection when using impact tools
Long pants and long sleeves