A heavy equipment operator is a professional individual who operates and manages heavy equipment and heavy machinery at the sites of construction projects. This job is said to be the dream job of those people who regularly used to play in the dirt and in mud when they were kids and loved playing this. Heavy equipment operator jobs have always been in a very large number and if anyone is a heavy equipment operator, he will always be in high demand.
This question that appears in every individual’s mind who is interested in construction and machinery is that how to become a heavy equipment operator. In order to become a heavy equipment operator, one should be highly skilled and should receive formal training. The operations of heavy machinery is not an easy thing to manage so only very highly skilled individuals are required by the job market.
Since it is not an easy task to manage heavy machinery so that’s why there are many safety measures that one should follow while performing the relative tasks. There are many risks that a professional individual faces while he is working on the construction sites.
The riskiest hazard that can take a construction worker’s life is falling from a height. Falling from a height or off construction equipment accounted for 38.7% of worker deaths. Struck by an object at the construction site is also a deadly incident that can occur. There were 9.4% of workers who suffered fatal injuries after being hit by an object on a construction site. Other life threatening risks include electrocutions and caught-in-between construction machinery. Being accidentally energized by electricity accounted for 8.3% of construction worker deaths and the ones who died after being caught in-between components of construction machinery or materials was 7.3%.
While falls and electrocutions are leading injury causes on construction sites, being struck by objects and caught in-between mechanical components and materials pertain more to heavy equipment operation than general site conditions
These construction site hazards can be categorized into the following categories:
All heavy machinery has moving parts. It has the energy that is stored and is capable of releasing from machinery parts that cause danger. When they are not in motion, most machines are relatively safe. Actually, they are dangerous when they’re operating and they have enormous power and the capability of doing severe damage.
When working around machines one should watch for moving parts that can reach people. Also, heavy machinery and equipment that can eject strike someone can be dangerous. Common hazards due to mechanical failure include rotating shafts, colliding surfaces, scissor or shear action, sharp edges and detachable connections. Risks associated with mechanical hazards are entanglement, crushing, severing, cutting and puncturing as well as slips and falls when dodging moving components
Not all heavy equipment hazards come from components in motion. Almost all machines have stored energy waiting for release. That can be gasses or fluids under pressure, electrical charges and hot surfaces. Worker hazards from non-mechanical means also include noxious substances like exhaust emissions and chemical by-products. As well, consider the noise hazard that heavy equipment operation generates.
Situationally aware workers always assess their machinery for non-mechanical hazard potential. They realize how heavy equipment affects the area or environment around them.
Safety measures to considered by a heavy equipment operator
There are a number of safety measures that a heavy equipment operator should follow:
Pick the Right Equipment for the Job
Different kinds of heavy equipment are better equipped for certain kinds of work. For example, if you are going to be lifting something extremely heavy, you need to make sure the kind of heavy equipment you want to use can handle the load. Using the right equipment can go a long way toward making the jobsite a safer place.
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. You’ll also want to check other important factors, such as tire pressure, if applicable. Once everything is in order on the outside, you also need to inspect the condition of things inside the cab. Conducting inspections on a daily basis while operating heavy equipment will help you avoid catastrophes that are due to faulty equipment. It’s also a great habit to pick up.
Seat Belt
Always wear a seat belt when you are operating heavy equipment. Just like in cars, seat belts in heavy equipment help prevent potential injuries in the case of collisions and other mishaps. Seat belts are your last line of defense from being thrown around the cabin in the event of a rollover.
Properly wearing the right personal protective equipment when operating heavy equipment helps protect your body on the job. Such equipment includes hard hats (which are required at all construction sites), eyewear, gloves and steel-toed work boots. Some form of ear coverage is also needed to protect yourself from hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to the loud noise of heavy equipment in use.
Falling is the most common cause of workplace death in America, and violations of OSHA’s fall protection standards for construction were the most cited kind of OSHA violations in 2018. With this in mind, it’s vital that you exercise caution when getting in and out of heavy equipment. Conventional wisdom recommends maintaining three points of contact with the machine at all times. Keep an eye on the condition of the steps and handholds. Repair or replace them if necessary. They could very well prevent you or someone else from taking a potentially fatal fall.
In addition to inspecting the heavy equipment you are operating on a given day, it’s 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. For example, snow and ice can make it difficult to operate heavy equipment. In such cases, you will likely need to take special steps in readying the machine or delay the work until conditions are better. There are times when even the most experienced operators postpone work. Nothing is more important than your safety and the safety of others at the worksite