What are the Construction Safety Advice for Heavy Equipment? On nearly every construction project, heavy equipment is required. Unfortunately, if not used properly, they can be extremely dangerous.
Follow these Construction Safety Advice for Heavy Equipment when working with heavy equipment on a construction site to stay productive and keep the jobsite safe:
Training for Equipment Operators
Workers should receive training on how to operate all of the equipment they will be working with safely. Training should consist of both classroom and practical hands-on instruction. Safety, hazard assessment, equipment security features, and safe heavy equipment maneuvering are all topics that should be covered.
Employees must be instructed on how to mount and unload equipment properly, as well as the right start-up method for each piece of equipment. Lifting heavy objects and load capability for the equipment they will be working with. Only trained personnel should be permitted to operate machinery for any reason.
Be Aware of Your Environment
When operating heavy machinery, you must be aware of your surroundings and any potential hazards. When excavating, ensure that all subterranean services, such as sewer, water, gas, and electrical, are identified and well marked to avoid harming them and causing delays and additional work.
Kept out of locations where heavy machinery is in use whenever possible. To avoid hitting other workers, onlookers, or other vehicles or equipment in the area, operators should be conscious of their swing radius, especially when working in tighter places.
Exiting and Entering Equipment
This should go without saying, but based on the amount of accidents workers sustain each year, there is a correct and incorrect method to mount and remove heavy equipment. Maintain three points of contact when climbing onto equipment, just as you would when ascending a ladder. Never bring anything with you into or out of the cab. Don’t ever depart by jumping out of the cab or off the equipment.
Never enter or exit moving or operational machinery. Turn off the machine fully, engage the parking brake, and release any pressure from hydraulic controls. To avoid unauthorized use, keep the keys with you at all times.
Check all equipment before using it
Before each usage, visually inspect heavy equipment to ensure that it is in good working order. Examine the tires and tracks for signs of wear and damage. Monitor fluid levels such as engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and oil levels at the absolute minimum before starting up the equipment for the first time each day. Look for the crack and damage in hydraulic hoses, buckets, booms, and other components.
When you start the equipment, check that the lights, gauges, horn, and backup alarms all work properly. All arms, shovels, buckets, and other tools are fully extended in all directions. If the cab rotates, ensure that it can do so in all directions. Not only may you further damage the machine, but it could also pose a severe safety risk if not repaired before use.
Use the equipment only as recommended
Each piece of equipment was created to accomplish a specific duty. Excavators are not cranes, and wheel loaders were not designed to transport workers in buckets and be used as an aerial lift. Choose the appropriate piece of equipment for the job at hand and utilize it exactly as the maker intended.
Don’t overwork or overburden your equipment. Consider the equipment’s payload or lift capacity. If what you have is insufficient, you may need to purchase a larger piece of equipment. When working machinery, avoid going too rapidly, particularly on hills.
Use Your Safety belt
Seatbelts aren’t just a recommendation; they could save your life. If the vehicle begins to tilt or roll over, the seatbelt will most likely ensure your safety. If such equipment begins to tilt or roll over, you may feel forced to jump out of the cab. Unfortunately, that is the absolute worst thing you could do. The machine could topple backwards and collapse
Maintain a Clean Environment
Preferably, you can surround the area with barriers to prevent workers from accidently coming into contact with heavy machinery. To maintain your blind areas clean when moving or operating equipment near workers, use a spotter who communicates via radio or hand signals. This is particularly true while backing up data. Yes, the equipment will have backup alarms, but due to their presence on construction sites.
Other Tips to Remember
Here are more Construction Safety Advice for Heavy Equipment.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, sturdy boots, and hard hats at all times.
When servicing or doing maintenance on the equipment, use lock-out/tag-out process.
Recent Comments