Bulldozer Slope Operation Safety Guide is a mandatory standard that every operator and site manager must strictly master. When operating a bulldozer on sloped terrain, ignoring the bulldozer slope operation safety guide can easily lead to serious accidents such as rollovers, sliding, or hydraulic system failures. According to the ISO 20474 standard for construction machinery safety, the following key aspects outline the core principles of the bulldozer slope operation safety guide.
First, the bulldozer slope operation safety guide emphasizes slope assessment before operation. An inclinometer must be used to measure the slope angle. When the longitudinal slope exceeds 20° or the lateral slope exceeds 15°, the bulldozer must engage low gear and anti-slip mode. Many accident cases show that violating the slope limits specified in the bulldozer slope operation safety guide is the primary cause of rollovers.
Second, the bulldozer slope operation safety guide sets clear requirements for equipment condition. Before operation, the track tension (recommended value: 20-30mm sag), brake response time (≤1.5 seconds), and the effectiveness of the blade hydraulic lock must be checked. Failure to complete these inspections as per the bulldozer slope operation safety guide can result in loss of emergency control in case of sudden hydraulic leaks on slopes.
Regarding operating techniques, the bulldozer slope operation safety guide mandates adherence to the "low center of gravity principle": the blade must always be positioned on the downhill side, and the material push height should not exceed one-third of the track contact length. In practice, accidents have occurred when operators ignored the high-center-of-gravity prohibition in the bulldozer slope operation safety guide, causing the bulldozer to lose balance and roll over.
Notably, the bulldozer slope operation safety guide includes additional clauses for special conditions. During rain, snow, or on loose soil, the slope angle threshold must be reduced by 50%, and anti-slip track pads (ground pressure ≤35kPa) should be installed. Statistics show that worksites strictly following the additional provisions of the bulldozer slope operation safety guide experience a 72% reduction in slope-related accidents.
Finally, the bulldozer slope operation safety guide requires a dual-monitoring system: in addition to the operator, a slope observer must be stationed at the top to monitor the equipment’s posture in real time via radio. This rule is also referenced in North American mining safety regulations (MSHA 56.14132), further proving the universal value of the bulldozer slope operation safety guide.