Heavy Equipment Safety Tips
Like anyone who works around heavy equipment know that having a healthy respect for these tools is not negotiable. No doubt all have heard a few horror stories about people who were careless with heavy equipment and paid the price for it and chances that know someone who was seriously injured or worse during a moment of distraction. Of course, the workplace can be a busy and confusing place with lots of activities going on around you which can lead to distraction. Here, the tips below help for safety purpose:
- Know your equipment
It can be tempting to fire up that drill press or hop into that forklift and get the job done even if you don’t have the training or experience to operate it safely and even if is a relatively simple machine and if you have no experience and you may miss an important feature.
- Stay alert
In addition to inspecting the heavy equipment you are operating on a given day and it is also important to observe conditions of the jobsite. Make note of any obstacles or hazards in the area that might impact operation. These can include overhead wires or underground structures. Environmental factors can also vastly alter the preparation that needs to be done before firing up heavy equipment.
- Wear the right protective equipment
When you are at a site with heavy machinery, you must have the right protective gear. Goggles, hard hats, gloves, and boots are a requirement. Other protective gears include high visibility clothing fall protection equipment among others. Do not compromise your safety because you think the protective gear is cumbersome.
- Know your OSHA regulations
Most equipment has OSHA and ANSI regulations. As the operator we need to be familiar with these regulations before operating any heavy equipment to assure safety and compliance.
- Take your time
It is hard to do study of just how dangerous being in a hurry around big machines can be but if you have got more than a month worth of experience working around heavy machinery you know that’s a problem. The best way to save time is to do things one at a time, with deliberation, using your whole attention.
- Always work on a level surface
Safety begins and ends with education. It should come as no surprise that safety is a large part of the curriculum in heavy equipment operation training programs across the country. These steps are essential to maintaining a safe worksite as a heavy equipment operator.
- Do walk around inspections
One of the best ways to prevent worksite accidents while working with heavy equipment is to conduct a thorough visual inspection before using it. You can do this by walking a lap around the machine prior to getting in the cab, checking for any damage. One of the best ways to prevent worksite accidents while working with heavy equipment is to conduct a thorough visual inspection before using it. You can do this by walking a lap around the machine prior to getting in the cab, checking for any damage.
