What steps should be taken to ensure a parked, unattended piece of equipment is secure?

What steps should be taken to ensure a parked, unattended piece of equipment is secure?

• A. Turned off, brakes set, wheels scotched
• B. Left in gear with engine running
• C. Keys left in the vehicle and door open
• D. Place a 'do not start' sign only

Answer: (A)

When a piece of equipment is parked and unattended, the goal is to eliminate any chance it can move or be started. Turning the engine off removes the power source, so nothing in the machine can respond if a control is bumped or a switch is touched. Setting the brakes adds a secure, active restraint—especially important on slopes or uneven ground. Placing wheel chocks against the tires provides a solid, physical barrier that prevents any rolling due to gravity, vibration, or inadvertent contact. This combination—engine off, brakes set, and wheel chocks in place—creates multiple layers of security: no power to operate, a locked-in brake, and a tangible obstruction to movement. Other options fall short because leaving the engine running keeps the machine capable of movement or starting, leaving keys in or doors open invites theft or tampering, and a sign alone doesn’t physically secure the equipment.

When a piece of equipment is parked and unattended, the goal is to eliminate any chance it can move or be started. Turning the engine off removes the power source, so nothing in the machine can respond if a control is bumped or a switch is touched. Setting the brakes adds a secure, active restraint—especially important on slopes or uneven ground. Placing wheel chocks against the tires provides a solid, physical barrier that prevents any rolling due to gravity, vibration, or inadvertent contact.

This combination—engine off, brakes set, and wheel chocks in place—creates multiple layers of security: no power to operate, a locked-in brake, and a tangible obstruction to movement. Other options fall short because leaving the engine running keeps the machine capable of movement or starting, leaving keys in or doors open invites theft or tampering, and a sign alone doesn’t physically secure the equipment.