Keeping everyone safe on your construction site should be a top priority of everyone working in and around heavy equipment . It’s amazing how careless a company can be when working with heavy equipment. Here are ten simple tips to help keep you and your guys and gals safe.
PROPER TRAINING
Make sure you’ve been properly and sufficiently trained on the equipment you’re using by qualified, experienced people. Having refresher courses is a good way to keep safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
BLIND SPOTS
One of the biggest reasons people get hurt on construction sites is because an operator didn’t see something. Make sure everyone knows the blind spots around the machine they’re operating.
COMMUNICATION
One of the most maddening things about working on a construction site or in life in general is lack of communication. Emphasis to workers they need to inform everyone when there’s a problem, when a piece of equipment needs repairs, when something needs to be moved. Also, make sure your people have two-way radios, a spotter, and know the important hand signals.
SAFETY GEAR
Do not operate machinery without the proper equipment, including the right clothing. Make sure everyone has high-visibility clothing on.
SEAT BELTS
So simple. Make sure your operators wear their seatbelts all the time. They definitely save lives.
CLIMB SAFELY PART 1
Do not get onto machines that are moving. Seems obvious, however you’d be surprised how many injuries and deaths are caused because John Wayne tried to jump on his 20 ton horse while it was galloping across a construction site.
LOAD LIMITS
If your wheel loader’s maximum lift weight is 10,000 pounds, don’t exceed it.
CLIMB SAFELY PART 2
Falls are the number one cause for injuries. Climb safely by using handrails and proper spaces for footing. Use the three points of contact rule. Do not jump off equipment. That ground isn’t forgiving.
INSPECTIONS
Take the time to inspect your machine. Walk around the equipment and check the tires, tracks, and other components for damage or anything that may be caught in them.
LEVEL GROUND
Make sure you are on solid level ground when loading or unloading.
