Bulldozers, scrapers, and tractors, oh my! A jobsite crawling with heavy equipment can sometimes feel like a danger zone. However, with the proper Heavy Equipment Safety Guidelines in place, you can reduce risk on your jobsite and help ensure workers head home unscathed each day.
There are three main ingredients to safe heavy equipment operation: dependable equipment, proper training and a safe attitude, and constant awareness of all jobsite activities. If operators are equipped with these three tools, they’ll have no problem working safely. Read on to learn more about these and other essential safety factors for operating heavy equipment on the jobsite.
Play it safe with dependable equipment
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) emphasizes safety features on heavy equipment, but keeping machines safe requires more than checking a few items. Complex systems can fail in many ways, and those failures create significant jobsite hazards.
Create customized inspection checklists for each unique piece of equipment. Safety professionals recommend that operators perform a pre-operational walkaround and an in-cab pre-start inspection every day before starting the machine.
During inspections, verify that service, emergency, and parking brakes function; headlights, taillights, and backup lights operate; and the horn works. These are a few essential checklist items, but employers should base customized lists on OSHA guidance and the equipment operating manual.
Steer clear of jobsite dangers
Operators should be aware of all jobsite activities and walk through a site-activity checklist daily to avoid hazards. Common obstacles and activities to watch for include:
- Overhead lines: Contact between large equipment and overhead power lines causes many fatal workplace injuries. Exercise extreme caution when working near any overhead lines and assume they are energized unless utility authorities indicate otherwise. Follow OSHA requirements for working near overhead lines.
- Barricades: Use barricades where heavy equipment is operating to notify workers and keep pedestrians out of hazardous areas.
- Hand signals: When a crane is operating, the operator and signaler must know the required hand signals; these signals can also be used for other equipment types.
Ensure safety with well-trained workers
A jobsite is only as safe as its workers, so hire and train safety-conscious, competent employees. OSHA calls for frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment by "competent persons" designated by the employer.
Train employees on proper equipment inspection and operation; lives can depend on that training. Employers should also consider coverage options and resources such as Heavy Equipment Insurance to protect assets and operations.
For more information, consult OSHA's website or your equipment manufacturer's operating manual. If you have questions about insurance or coverage, consider speaking with your broker or talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should heavy equipment be inspected?
Perform a pre-operational walkaround and in-cab pre-start inspection daily, and schedule more thorough maintenance checks per the manufacturer's recommendations.
What training should equipment operators receive?
Operators should be trained on safe operation, daily inspections, site-specific hazards, and required hand signals; refresher training should occur as needed.
How close can equipment operate to overhead power lines?
Maintain the clearances specified by utility authorities and OSHA; when in doubt, assume lines are energized and keep a safe distance or de-energize the lines before working nearby.
Who qualifies as a "competent person" for inspections?
A competent person is someone designated by the employer who has the knowledge, training, and authority to identify hazards and take corrective action.