Construction Equipment Safety

Construction equipment is designed to be powerful and capable of handling the many big projects thrown their way. But with great power comes great safety risk. That’s why it’s imperative to follow safety practices and regulations to ensure a successful project. We created a beginner’s guide to construction safety equipment below. It doesn’t substitute for actual training and is meant to prepare you before a training (or refresh your memory after a training). If you have any questions, please visit Synergy Equipment. We proudly serve those in Florida.

Training

Every worker needs to be fully trained on any equipment they will be using. Part of this training should include hands-on training. It’s one thing to hear or read instructions...and another to apply it in action. Plus, hands-on training helps workers go through the process with an experienced trainer watching. The trainer can correct any issues right away before they become habit.

Trainings should include topics such as how to safely mount and dismount, how to start the equipment, what issues to look for, how the features work, and the lifting and load capacity. You should leave a training session fully confident about your ability to operate the construction equipment. Refresher trainings are helpful to keep everyone on the same page.

Inspecting the Equipment

It’s imperative to only use equipment that is running smoothly. Using a compromised machine can cause further damage and is incredibly unsafe. Before you operate construction equipment, you’ll want to check for some key things:

• Check the fluid levels (and top off anything that’s low)
• Check the tire tread and pressure to ensure it’s within accordance of the owner’s manual (and replace or adjust the tire as needed)
• Make sure that all the attachments are locked securely in place
• Test aspects like the lights and horn before starting work

If you notice any issues, bring your construction equipment to Synergy Equipment. We offer parts replacement and service options to get your machines running like new.

Using the Equipment

There are certain safety practices workers should always use when operating construction equipment. The vehicle should always be fully turned off with the parking brake engaged before anyone enters or leaves it. Never carry anything as you mount or dismount. Use three points of contact when entering the equipment. Wear the proper gear, such as gloves, glasses, hard hats, boots, and so on. Make sure you stay within the load limits of the equipment. It’s always helpful to read through the operating manual on equipment since there are some specific ways of operating unique equipment.

Blind spots can be a big safety issue. After all, they are an area that the driver cannot physically see! Spotters are a great resource in this situation. They can assist in directing the equipment driver and ensure nothing gets hit.

Situational Awareness

When you are operating massive machines, you’ll need to be hyper aware of your surroundings. If you can, deenergize overhead power lines. If you can’t, set up barriers to prevent accidental contact. Identify all sewer, gas, water, and electrical utilities so you don’t hit them. Workers should monitor their swing radius and be aware of workers, vehicles, or people passing by. If you have to work at night, be sure there is enough lighting set up. You want to be able to be seen by motorists on the road as well as see as you work.

We hope you found our article helpful! For all your construction equipment needs, visit Synergy Equipment. We offer a range of used, new, and rental equipment. We also operate a parts and service department able to repair your equipment. We proudly serve those in Florida and Georgia.