Heavy equipment is a common fixture on construction sites, and it’s no wonder, since a huge portion of the heavy lifting is done by these towering machines and vehicles. With all the movement and work being done on a site, it can be difficult to navigate safely and avoid the dangers that go hand-in-hand. Staying safe around construction equipment takes some extra consideration. At Everglades Equipment Group, we know safety is a top priority when working with heavy equipment. Understanding and respecting the power of these machines is a prime responsibility of any construction worker.
Invest in Training
There’s a reason safety precautions are often repetitive: they work! Hitting the books — or a workplace safety course — is a great way to ensure you or your employees follow proper safety procedures. This is especially powerful in group settings, where you can get everyone on the same page when it comes to best practices. A well-trained crew reduces the overall chance of accidents in a number of aspects of work on a construction site, heavy equipment included. Also, heavy equipment can be quite technical and might require a few specific tricks to operate correctly. Make sure that even if a worker is able to operate a piece of equipment, they also know the specific safety procedures for that equipment.
Inspections and Maintenance
Just because a piece of equipment has been working correctly doesn’t mean it will keep working that way. If your equipment isn’t being checked and maintained on the regular, you could increase the risk for an accident due to any number of mechanical issues or failures. A sudden stall or blowout might mean more than just expensive service or repair — it could also be deadly for you or your workers. Always put your equipment through its recommended maintenance and service cycles. You should also make sure any safety features on the equipment itself are in working order, like seatbelts, fire suppression systems, and any failsafe that might be present.
Slow It Down
Many work sites can be fast paced environments that rely on cooperation and efficient movement to operate in tandem with multifaceted construction tasks. Even with deadlines to meet, you should always take your time and perform tasks in or around heavy equipment with care, even if you know you could go faster. Cutting corners is a huge cause of accidents on work sites. All you have to do to counter this is take the time to make sure you’re operating safe enough for the environment. Other factors like operator condition (lack of sleep, stressed, adverse working conditions, etc.) and distractions on site can inflate the danger of working too quickly.
Make sure you and your workers stay focused on their tasks when operating equipment. Staying on-task can save lives! It’s also important to be able to see and communicate with other workers around you. Two-way radios, flaggers, and clear signage all help to reduce the chance of accidents.
Staying on task and understanding the proper safety procedures while working around construction equipment will increase efficiency and keep you and other workers safe and happy. There are a lot of dangers and ways you can injure yourself if you’re not paying attention, you don’t know how to operate the equipment, or you’re trying to get your work done too quickly. Pay attention and learn about your equipment to ensure you can operate your heavy equipment safely. For more safety tips, or if you’re just interested in checking out our stock of new and used equipment, head into Everglades Equipment Group.