Safety while handling construction equipment

A construction site is one of the most dangerous places to work, which is why safety should be given the highest priority in such an environment. Every year, thousands around the world get injured while working around heavy machinery. To prevent such mishaps from happening, it is important to adhere to safety rules and regulations and have a solid understanding of how these machines operate.

Construction workers should wear protective gear at all time. Hard hats, safety glasses, steel toe capped boots and high visibility jackets should be worn while handling heavy equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, construction tractors and excavators, to reduce the possibility of accidents. Also, safety training should be conducted by every construction company before a worker steps into the construction site. There is a saying, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand,” which highlights the importance of putting theories into practice. Many construction companies provide safety training in classrooms, which is not effective. Construction workers should be taught safety rules in the field – at the construction site.

Manufacturers of construction equipment are responsible for safety training too, which is why every machine comes with an operator’s manual that throws light on how construction workers can operate the equipment safely. Before operating any equipment, ensure that you have read the manual carefully, keeping in mind the important tips.

Before a construction worker begins his shift, he should check the equipment to ensure that all the parts and accessories are in safe operating condition and free from any damage that could result in the failure of the machine while in use. If there are any defects, ensure that they are corrected before operating the machine.

Before purchasing or renting construction equipment, one should ensure that the seats in the machines are comfortable. Gears, buttons and the steering wheel of the machine should be completely functional, and the machine should be easy to manoeuvre. Above all, all heavy machinery should be equipped with seat belts for the safety of the operator.

Many accidents occur in the evenings, when the lighting is dim. As far as possible, construction workers should not be allowed to work after the sun goes down. Before purchasing or renting construction equipment, you should allow the workers who will be operating these machines to test them out. One should only purchase or rent equipment in which construction workers are comfortable and safe.