Having little ones around DIY projects can be fun, especially with yard work and machines they often find fascinating. Many families rent machinery and hire professionals to finish the work for them. But while machinery saves labor and time, it also introduces risks that many families aren’t completely prepared for.
If you’re planning one of these projects, you might need a heavy machine, with or without an operator:
- Landscaping large yards or acreage
- Grading or repairing driveways
- Clearing land or brush
- Installing fences or retaining walls
- Moving dirt, gravel, or debris
- Helping with home additions, sheds, or barns
It can be pretty anxiety-inducing (like renovation isn’t already stressful enough sometimes), so I prepared a short guide to help ensure safety and general well-being.
Safety Steps and Legal Compliance
Before you rent and use a machine, you need to follow a set of safety and legal compliance rules. I’m sharing a checklist so you can make a more informed decision and prevent injuries:
- Manuals: Read all the instructions before using the machine.
- Operator Training: Make sure the person who operates the machine is certified and trained to handle the exact machine you’re using. You can ask the rental company about the details and the training they offer. If you’re not certified, hire a pro.
- Inspect it before use: Check for any visible damage or maintenance requirements before you use it. This can include fluid levels, the state of the tyres, and brakes.
- PPE: Use all necessary personal protective equipment (gloves, boots, helmets, or goggles), and use it appropriately.
- Work zones: Establish a clear work zone and keep children away from it.
- Emergency plan: Have a plan if something goes wrong. Have a first aid kit ready.
- Load limits and zoning rules: Every machine has load restrictions and there may be local regulations on how you’re allowed to use it.
- Ecological standards: There may be emission restrictions for heavy machinery in your area. Check that your rentals fit the rules.
- Inspection logs: Ask the company for inspection records to confirm it’s compliant with regulations.
- Pace yourself: Don’t work if you’re fatigued and take frequent breaks.
- Childcare: Ensure one adult is always supervising the children during the process.
- Turn it off: Keep the machine off when not in use.
When an Accident Happens: Knowing Your Options
Unfortunately, accidents can happen even when you take all the precautions seriously. Machines can malfunction, terrain can shift, or a split-second mistake can lead to serious consequences.
Follow the plan and ensure medical care first. After that, document what happened and learn about your options, especially if you’re using a rental. Situations like these can be complex, and it helps to seek skid steer accident guidance or information on any other machine to better understand next steps and available support.
Why Hiring a Professional Is Your Safest Bet
Accidents with rented machinery tend to happen not because people are careless, but because they underestimate the power of the machines or overestimate their experience. It’s possible for machines to roll over on uneven ground, crush bystanders who are too close, or hurt children who wander into the work area. Sometimes, operators fall from tall machines or overload buckets, so the machine tips over.
If you’re using more than standard power tools, hiring a professional might be your best choice, especially if the terrain is unstable or steep, the machine requires a license, projects are near infrastructure like electrical lines or water pipes, or you cannot guarantee that you will manage to keep children out of the area.
Smart Planning Makes DIY Projects Safer
When you plan your renovations and machinery use, you can rest assured that you did everything in your power to prevent accidents and injuries and model responsible behavior to your family. While it may save money to operate a piece of equipment like a skid steer yourself, you could regret aunty savings in a split second if you haven’t followed all the rules.
I suggest hiring professionals, checking equipment, reading reviews on rental companies, and always, always keeping your children at a safe distance from a working machine.
When you turn it off and it’s safe, you can show the machinery to your kids and have them enjoy it in a comfortable, low-risk environment.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
