Important safety tips to prevent heavy equipment incidences

The operation of heavy equipment is a job that is full of hazards which could very easily be fatal to those involved. Construction sites and heavy machinery all pose a great danger to operators and other workers, requiring extreme care to be taken at all times. Effective communication with other people at the site is the first step that should be taken towards minimising the instances of injuries and accidents. Besides communication, there are additional safety measures and precautions that should be exercised to reduce the chances of injury when operating heavy equipment at the construction site.

Below are some of these tips which will go a long way towards ensuring your operation of the heavy equipment is free of incidences:

1. Ensure the equipment used is right for the job

Using the wrong equipment for a given task increases the chances that something will go wrong. This is because different heavy types of machinery are equipped to efficiently handle different tasks. For instance, lifting something extremely heavy requires the use of equipment which can handle the load to prevent breakage which could cause injuries.

2. Conduct pre-operational inspection

Conducting a thorough visual inspection of the equipment before commencing any work should be mandatory for every worker. Walking around the machine checking for damages before getting into the cab will ensure that everything is in order before beginning. The pre-operational inspection also helps in ensuring factors such as tire pressure are in check. These small factors, if left unchecked, could cause a catastrophe to the operator and those around.

3. Use a seat belt and personal protective equipment (PPE)

In the case of collisions and other mishaps that could happen in the construction site, measures taken for personal protections will be your last line of defence. Seat belts will ensure that in case of a rollover, you will not be thrown around or out of the cab, keeping you safe from other parts of the machinery. Personal protective equipment such as hard hats, gloves, steel-toed books and eye-wear will also go a long way to protect you when working with heavy machinery.

4. Pay attention to the work environment

Inspecting the job site before beginning any work will ensure you do not run into unexpected obstacles. Things to take note of when inspecting the site includes underground structures, overhead wires and other environmental factors which could alter the efficiency or working ability of the equipment. For instance, ice in the job site could make the operation of heavy equipment difficult. In such cases, extra measures will need to be taken to prevent accidents or the work could even be delayed until conditions are favourable.

Although the very definition of an accident makes it impossible for one to guarantee that it will not occur, it does not mean measures cannot be taken to reduce the possibility. By applying the tips offered above, you will greatly minimize the risk of an incident occurring and save yourself the financial, health and social implications of injuries.

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