Most people who work in heavy construction enjoy the work, find it fulfilling and even love it when they get to bring out the heavy toys. As you probably already know and work with heavy equipment requires heavy equipment insurance. Accidents can happen on any worksite. The accidents that occur on construction sites, however, can be a lot more dangerous and a lot more severe than most. This safety guide is designed to not only remind you of the importance of utilizing heavy equipment insurance companies but also to leave you with solid tips for avoiding accidents.
Types of Heavy Construction Equipment
To better fight against the risks on a construction site, it is helpful to separate the construction equipment into a few categories:
- Material handling
- Engineering vehicles
- Earthmoving
- General construction
Material handling includes cranes, forklifts, conveyors and hoists. These are the pieces of equipment that lift and move heavy materials around a site. Earthmoving equipment is what the name implies. These are loaders, excavators, backhoes, and bulldozers. You use this equipment to landscape and shift large amounts of dirt, brush and other items. As far as vehicles go, you typically have dump trucks, trailers and tankers to move not only heavy material but also dirt and stone. Lastly, general construction covers everything from pavers, heavy-duty pumps, concrete mixers and more.
Safety Tips for Heavy Construction Equipment
When it comes to operating large machinery, there are some basic tips that apply to nearly every type of equipment.
- Train Your Workers
Did you know a lot of accidents happen because of improper training? Workers should be up to date on all the latest protocol and how to operate every piece of equipment. They should complete their training in a classroom and hands-on with the machinery. They have to know how to mount and dismount the machinery. Retraining and refreshing your workers are also recommended.
- Check Equipment Before Use
Do a quick visual inspection in advance of use. For instance, on your vehicles, bulldozers, and other wheeled machinery, check the tires for wear or damage. In addition, for those vehicles that need oil and hydraulic fluid, make sure that their levels are adequate. In addition, check to make sure that all the gauges, lights, horns and alarms work. If you’re working with earthmoving vehicles, check the buckets, arms, and cabs. Everything should be working properly. Even a small problem may turn out to be larger.
- Use Your Equipment for Its Specified Purpose
Do not use your excavator for a crane or use your wheel loaders to carry workers like it’s an aerial lift. This is how accidents happen, and even with construction equipment insurance, this type of behavior often leads to lawsuits when accidents occur.
- Look Into Heavy Equipment Insurance
While there is a lot you can do to avoid accidents by following safety tips, you should also be protected from accidents on the worksite. Having construction equipment insurance is necessary. When it comes to operating your heavy machinery, stay safe. By following a few simple tips, you can avoid most accidents.
