19 Jan Heavy Equipment Safety

Heavy Equipment Safety

Heavy equipment such as excavators, loaders, graders, rollers, and bulldozers is essential on many construction sites, but its size, weight, power, and limited visibility can create serious hazards. Operators must be trained, qualified, and authorized to operate the specific equipment they use. Employees working on the ground must also understand how to work safely around moving equipment.

Heavy equipment incidents frequently involve struck-by, caught-between, crushing, and rollover hazards. Operators and ground personnel must work together to control these risks.

Communication and Ground Personnel

Good communication between equipment operators and employees on the ground is essential.

• Establish appropriate hand signals or other communication methods before work begins.
• When a signal person is used, the operator and signal person must understand the signals being used.
• Use two-way radios when appropriate, particularly when visual communication is difficult.
• Operators should know the location of ground personnel before moving equipment.
• Ground personnel should wear required high-visibility apparel where they are exposed to moving equipment or vehicles.
• Never assume the operator can see you. Stay out of blind spots and establish eye contact or other positive communication before approaching equipment.
• Stay clear of equipment swing radiuses, articulation points, travel paths, and pinch points.
• If communication with a designated signal person or spotter is lost, stop operations until communication is restored.

Backup alarms, cameras, mirrors, and other warning devices are important safety features, but employees should never rely on them as their only protection.

Rollover Protection and Seat Belts

Where required, heavy equipment must be equipped with an appropriate rollover protective structure (ROPS).

• Operators must wear the provided seat belt when operating equipment equipped with ROPS and a seat belt.
• Never remove, modify, drill, weld, or otherwise alter a ROPS unless specifically permitted by the manufacturer or a qualified authority.
• Operate at speeds appropriate for the terrain, visibility, load, and conditions.
• Avoid sudden turns, excessive speed, and abrupt movements that could affect equipment stability.
• Use extreme caution around slopes, embankments, excavations, trenches, soft shoulders, and unstable ground.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operating on slopes. Do not exceed the equipment’s allowable slope limitations.
• Maintain a safe distance from excavation and embankment edges that could collapse under the equipment’s weight.

Mounting and Dismounting

Falls while entering or leaving equipment can cause serious injuries.

• Use designated steps, ladders, handholds, and access points.
• Maintain three points of contact—two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand.
• Face the equipment while climbing or descending.
• Keep steps and handholds free of mud, grease, oil, ice, and debris.
• Never jump from equipment.
• Never use steering wheels, control levers, or other unsuitable components as handholds.
• Do not mount or dismount moving equipment.

Pre-Use Inspection

Operators should inspect equipment before each shift or use in accordance with company procedures and manufacturer recommendations.

Inspect, as applicable:

• Service and parking brakes
• Steering system
• Tires, wheels, and tracks
• Hydraulic systems, hoses, and cylinders
• Fluid levels and visible leaks
• Lights and warning devices
• Horn and backup alarm
• Mirrors and cameras
• Seat belts and operator restraints
• ROPS and protective structures
• Steps and handholds
• Guards and shields
• Buckets, blades, booms, attachments, and connecting components

Safety-related defects must be reported and corrected as required before the equipment is returned to service.

Safe Equipment Operation

Operators must:

• Inspect the work area before beginning operations.
• Watch for employees, vehicles, structures, overhead power lines, underground utilities, excavations, and changing ground conditions.
• Keep buckets, blades, and loads as low as practical while traveling.
• Never exceed the equipment’s rated capacity or operating limitations.
• Never allow unauthorized riders.
• Keep employees clear of suspended loads and raised attachments.
• Never leave raised equipment components unsupported when employees could be exposed beneath them.
• Lower attachments, place controls in the appropriate position, set the parking brake, and secure the equipment before leaving the operator’s position.
• Follow applicable hazardous-energy-control procedures before servicing, repairing, or clearing equipment.

Hearing Protection

Heavy equipment can generate hazardous noise levels. Engineering and administrative controls should be used where feasible to reduce exposure.

When employees are exposed to hazardous noise:

• Wear assigned hearing protection.
• Make sure earplugs or earmuffs fit properly.
• Wear hearing protection for the entire duration of the hazardous exposure.
• Do not modify hearing protection to make it more comfortable.
• Follow the company’s Hearing Conservation Program when applicable.

Remember

Heavy equipment incidents can result in severe or fatal injuries. Operators must remain in control of their equipment, and ground personnel must remain visible and outside equipment danger zones. Never assume an operator sees you.