Top 10 Heavy Equipment Safety Tips: Stay Secure on the Job Site

Skid steers, forklifts, and excavators are some common heavy machinery used in the construction industry. 

They are utilized in nearly all types of construction projects. However, their sheer size makes them quite dangerous when not used properly. Construction sites see 20.2 fatalities for every 100,000 employees each year.

Falls are top of the list for the reason of death, followed by being smashed by moving vehicles and heavy equipment movement. 

Even though heavy machinery drivers are very experienced, casualties can and still do occur. Checking standard operating practices and these top 10 heavy equipment safety guidelines should help keep you and your team safe:

   1. Examine Heavy Equipment Before running
Inspect the oil guages, hydraulic hoses, and other parts of the heavy equipment before using it. 

   2. Appropriate Mounting and Dismounting
Falls occur when a worker steps on or off heavy machinery. More than a handful have been hurt or killed because of inappropriate mounting and dismounting.

Remember to keep 3-point contact when reaching on or off heavy equipment. Use both hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Never vault. 

   3. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
Take time to determine all the power lines, gas lines, hydro wires, metal rods, low clearance obstacles, etc., within the outskirts. They must be marked with color-coded paint or flags.

Also, take note of who and where the individuals are near you. Make sure your pathway is clear before utilizing the machinery. Predicting risks before they occur is the best way to control mishaps.

   4. Use Machinery as Planned
Each piece of equipment is created to do a precise objective. Never use a crane as an excavator or lift employees in the bucket of a wheel loader. Pick the proper equipment for the suitable job.

   5. Wear a Seatbelt
It may appear unneeded to wear a seatbelt in a slow-moving machinery, but it can help keep you secure during a rollover. The only moment seatbelts aren’t needed is if the machinery is planned to be employed while standing up.

   6. Evade Blind Spots
Construction vehicles and heavy equipment have blind spots that restrict the visibility of the operator. Before starting the equipment, make sure there’s no one standing in those blind spots. 

If you need to physically get out of the machine to understand for certain, do so. You can also enroll a spotter to help lead you. Remind other employees to wear reflective safety jackets at all times and to make eye contact with you before coming close to the machine.

   7. Observe Load Limits
Different machines have various load limits. Understand the load limit of the machinery you’re going to operate and follow it. Never hold more than what your machinery is competent of.

   8. Use Wireless or Hand Signals to Communicate
Heavy equipment operators must have constant communication with the floor crew and their managers. Construction zones are noisy, so two-way radios help assure everyone on the site knows what’s occurring. 

If you don’t have a 2 way radio, use a spotter who has been trained appropriate hand gestures. This will reduce the odds of holding someone at the wrong place at the wrong time.

A supervisor holds a walkie-talkie to communicate with the crane operator 

   9. Perform Routine and Daily examination
Conducting routine and daily assessments should help guarantee that what was correctly running yesterday will also do the same today. Create a day-to-day heavy equipment protection checklist of what parts to inspect. Create a weekly and monthly assessment plan as well. 

  10. Determine Your Limitations
Work hard, but don’t overwork yourself. If your equipment has limitations, so do you. An operator who is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted makes poor conclusion calls and will be a severe threat to themselves and others. Notify your manager if you don’t think you’re competent to do the work.