Construction sites are full of hazardous conditions and tools, including heavy equipment. If you don’t know how to properly operate and work around these equipment pieces, you could cause accidents or put yourself at risk on the job site. Here are several tips for staying safe around heavy equipment to teach yourself and share with your team.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
The best way to prevent injuries from heavy equipment is to keep your eyes open and stay aware. Awareness is a two-way road on the construction site. All parties, both those operating heavy equipment and those who aren’t, need to exercise caution and awareness during construction projects. Never rush through a construction job just to meet deadlines—this is how accidents and injuries can occur. Always leave time for following proper safety procedures and using caution on the job. Equipment operators should also stay aware to look for any signs of heavy equipment maintenance needs or issues.
Wear the Appropriate Safety Gear
Construction sites are home to many safety risks and hazardous conditions. To keep employees safe, all construction supervisors must require their employees to wear the proper protective safety gear while on site and wear this equipment themselves. Construction zone PPE typically includes items such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, safety glasses or goggles, and masks. You can also help yourself stand out in the chaos of the construction site by wearing safety vests and bright colors. Many locations require all workers present on the construction site to wear safety vests to increase awareness and worker visibility, especially when working at night or in difficult conditions.
Prioritize Communication on the Job
To maintain safe operations, construction site managers must stress the importance of communication on the job. Communication between heavy equipment operators and those working around said equipment is crucial for operating smoothly and preventing injuries. Train workers in hand signals so that you can have spotters to guide equipment operators on site. Workers can also use technology, such as two-way radios, to quickly communicate across the job site.
Operating heavy equipment is a necessary part of working on a job site, and workers must know safe ways to do so. Remember these tips for staying safe around heavy equipment to promote an efficient and secure job site for all your workers.
