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502 EM 385-1-1 Sections 14-19
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502 EM385-1-1 Sections 14-19

SECTION 18 - VEHICLES, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

18.A General.

The requirements in this Section apply to the operation of all motor vehicles, machinery and mechanized equipment, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Utility Vehicles (UVs), and other specialty vehicles. Operators must also comply with state and host nation regulations as applicable to the above listed equipment.

Heavy equipment.
Anyone operating machinery and equipment, and specialty vehicles, must be trained, qualified and designated by the employer to operate such equipment.

18.A.01 Every person operating machinery and mechanized equipment, ATVs, UVs or other specialty vehicles, must be properly trained (as described in this Section), qualified (license/certificate/permit) and designated by the employer in writing to operate such equipment.

18.A.02 Every person operating a motor vehicle, machinery and mechanized equipment, ATV, UV, or other specialty vehicles, must possess, at all times while operating such vehicle/equipment, a license/permit (proof of qualification) valid for the equipment being operated. Licensing requirements will be as per Service regulation for military personnel and State regulations for civilian personnel, to include contractors. The operator must present the license/permit to the GDA upon request. Failure to do so will result in the immediate prohibition of the operator to operate motor vehicles.

Note 1: USACE vehicle/equipment operators: In lieu of a license/permit for each piece of equipment, an Operator Equipment Qualification Record (OF Form 348 or similar type of documentation) may be maintained on file at the employee's project office for all USACE vehicle/equipment operators.

Note 2: Government personnel may be required to carry the OF 346, Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record on military bases in addition or in lieu of a state driver's license (check local bases for requirements).

18.A.03 Inspections, tests, maintenance, and repairs.

  1. Inspections, tests, maintenance and repairs must be conducted by a qualified person in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
  2. Before initial use, vehicles not otherwise inspected by State or local authorities, must be inspected by a qualified mechanic and found in safe operating condition and in compliance with all required published vehicle safety standards. This one-time inspection must be documented and available for inspection on the work site.
  3. When dump trucks are brought onto a USACE job site, they must be inspected and found in compliance with the requirements of this Section before they are placed in service. This inspection must be documented on a checklist.
  4. All vehicles/equipment must be inspected on a scheduled maintenance program. e. Prior to each use, but not more often than daily, vehicles/equipment must be checked by the operator to assure that the following parts, equipment, and accessories (as applicable) are in safe operating condition and free of apparent damage that could cause failure while in use:
    • (1) Service brakes, including trailer brake connections;
    • (2) Parking system (hand brake);
    • (3) Emergency stopping system (brakes);
    • (4) Tires;
    • (5) Horns;
    • (6) Steering mechanism;
    • (7) Coupling devices;
    • (8) Seat belts;
    • (9) Operating controls;
    • (10) Safety devices (e.g., back-up alarms and lights, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, etc.), and
    • (11) Accessories including lights, reflectors, windshield wipers and defrosters where such equipment is necessary.
  5. Inspection, test, repair, and maintenance records must be maintained at the site available on request to the GDA.

18.A.04 Vehicles/equipment not meeting safe operating conditions must be immediately removed from service, its use prohibited until unsafe conditions have been corrected, and re-inspected before being placed in service again.

18.A.05 Whenever visibility conditions warrant additional light, all vehicles or combinations of vehicles, in use must be equipped with:

  1. Two headlights, one on each side in the front;
  2. At least two red taillights and one red or amber stoplight on each side of the rear;
  3. Directional signal lights (both front and back); and
  4. Three emergency flares, reflective markers, or equivalent portable warning device.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

18-1. What will happen if you do not present your license/permit to the GDA upon request?

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