Mobile Equipment, Cranes and Lift Trucks – Definition of Unattended Legislative Interpretations

213.2(2) An operator of a mobile crane shall, when leaving the crane unattended,
(a) secure it against movement,
(b) set the brake, not necessary if on outrigger,
(c) not leave a load suspended,
(d) engage the swing lock and swing brake,
(e) leave the controls in neutral,
(f) disengage the master clutch,
(g) stop the engine, and
(h) remove the key.

217(1) An operator of an industrial lift truck shall not leave the truck unattended unless the operator
(a) stops the engine,
(b) sets the brakes,
(c) parks on a level surface, and
(d) lowers the hoisting mechanism so that the tips of the forks touch the floor.

228 An operator of powered mobile equipment shall
(c) when leaving the equipment unattended,
I. park it on level ground,
II. set the brake,
III. lower the blades and bucket or safely block them,
IV. disengage the master clutch,
V. stop the engine, and
VI. remove the key.

Question
What is meant by unattended?

Answer
For mobile cranes, industrial lift trucks and powered mobile equipment (excluding skidders), left unattended means when the operator is outside the cab and not present or near at hand (operator farther than 10 metres and/or equipment is out of eyesight). In these cases the equipment must be left as indicated by the legislation.

It is possible for the operator to be outside the cab yet be present or near at hand. In this case the equipment does not have to be left as indicated by the legislation; however, it must be left in a safe state.

For a mobile crane, safe state means:

• Secured against movement
• If crane is not up on outriggers, brakes are set
• No suspended load
• Swing lock and swing brake are engaged
• Controls are in neutral
• The master clutch is disengaged

For an industrial lift truck, safe state means:

• Brakes are set
• Engine is in neutral
• Parked on a level surface

For powered mobile equipment, safe state means:

• Parked on somewhat level ground
• Brake is set
• Transmission is in neutral position
• All raised equipment is lowered

In addition, when the equipment is running and the operator is near at hand (for example when warming-up on cold winter days or idling during lunch), other provisions must be established in a code of practice to prevent inadvertent movement of the running equipment. The provision could include items such as chocking wheels, using a second key to lock cab, periodic inspection and verification of logbook for maintenance and daily safety check.