Three Things to Know About Three Points of Contact

No matter your field of work, it is important to keep three points of contact to ensure safety compliance on all machinery and equipment. 

What does “three points of contact” mean? 

Having three points of contact is one of the most important safety features to remember when operating on and around trucks, equipment, or heavy machinery. The concept of three points of contact can be explained as having either two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the vehicle you are working on.  

These three points allow for maximum stability as you are climbing, operating, or dismounting machinery. This contact triangle helps you stay stable and balanced, making the jobsite safer. 

What does “three points of contact” look like? 

The concept of three points of contact applies to all kinds of trucks, equipment, and machinery. From climbing up a ladder on a truck to mounting machinery from a piece of equipment, you should look for the designated hand and footholds. Depending on a source not designed for stability can lead to injury or unit damage.  

PTR is happy to help you and your crew stay safe by adding extra touchpoints to your vehicles. This ensures that all your truck upfits meet your safety standards. 

 What are the other rules of three points of contact? 

While the three points are crucial for safety when climbing on equipment, there are other key rules to follow when working around job sites. These rules continue to improve safety in an active work zone, keeping everyone safe. 

1. Be sure to wipe off any material that may be stuck on your shoes. 
2. Make sure you aren’t holding anything – coffee mugs, papers, and tools. These items can wait until you have safely engaged the unit
3. Only break three points of contact after you have safely and securely reached your target spot. This means staying stably positioned on the ground or your machinery.  

These rules help ensure that you are complying with all safety standards and keeping you and your team safe on the jobsite.  

Safety is a priority at PTR, and we want to assist in upfitting your vehicles to optimize performance and ensure safety for everyone on your project site. Our in-house upfitting team can custom-build your units with accessories to keep safety top-of-mind for your crew. Our upfits include handles, side steps, and running boards, which are all part of the three points of contact rule. Additions such as this can help make sure that your crew can safely use all our trucks for their project.