Embedded Files
Working on or around heavy equipment is high-risk work. If an incident occurs, the result is often a life-altering injury such as a broken bone, head injury, or, in many cases, loss of life. Safely working in the area of any heavy equipment requires the shared responsibility of both the equipment operator and their coworkers.
Incidents involving heavy equipment are usually due to:
Incidents involving heavy equipment are usually due to:
Lack of visibility - Heavy equipment operators often have blind spots. Those working nearby may think they are seen by the operator, but are not. Or often the operator has been driving is a designated travel path for a period of time and the only thing that has changed is you. Make eye contact with operators, and make sure they acknowledge you.
Communication issues - Operators often rely on other sets of eyes to guide them. Those guiding them need to know how to communicate with established hand signals.
Faulty equipment - Inspection and routine maintenance are essential to safe operations.
Electrical shock - Power lines are especially hazardous, both overhead and underground, when working with heavy machinery.
Pushing the limits of the machine - Heavy machinery can do a lot, but just like anything else, they have their limits. Pushing the limits of a machine is likely to cause accident or injury.
Loads coming loose - Never stand under an overhead load. Ever! Look out for your coworkers.
Unstable ground - Unstable ground can give way causing the heavy machinery to slide, tip or roll.
Mounting and dismounting - Use 3 point mounting and dismounting technique off of heavy equipment. Never jump, and never mount or dismount while in operation.
Lack of situational awareness - Never get complacent. Everyone working in the area needs to stay aware and vigilant both of themselves and their coworkers.
Work Safely
Work Safely
Preplan the job and have a meeting to make sure everyone is aware of the plan, the hazards and the controls.
No worker is permitted to operate heavy equipment unless they are trained, competent and able.
Ensure that signallers/spotters are competent and that a signaller does not perform any other work while signalling. If available, use two way radios and line of site communication. Signallers and operators must agree on hand signals before operations.
Only essential personnel, wearing high visibility clothing should be in the immediate vicinity of equipment in use.
Set up a limited-access zone or swing radius around heavy equipment.
Never assume the operator sees you. If you must pass, always try to walk on the driver side of equipment as the passenger side has a larger blind spot.
Never work, walk, or stand under a suspended or overhead load.
Be aware of "pinch points", areas between heavy equipment and other fixed objects where there is a potential for being crushed .
Ensure that equipment is loaded and unloaded on level ground to prevent tipping, rollovers, material spills, and other risks.
Ensure that all underground utilities, like power, water, sewer, and gas lines, have been identified and prominently marked around all digging sites.
Ensure the operator does a preliminary inspection of the machinery before use.
Ensure workers protect themselves from hazardous substances in the air: diesel exhaust fumes, carbon monoxide, respirable crystalline silica, and construction dust, by staying upwind, using water to suppress dust, or wearing N, R, or P95 respiratory protection.
Use appropriate hearing protection when working on or around loud equipment.
Report any unsafe practices, near misses, and any defects in equipment to your supervisor.
*Ensure that spotters and operators agree on hand signals before work begins.
Links to Further Information:
Page updated
Report abuse