Material Handling Equipment / Heavy Equipment

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Heavy equipment is used on many different kinds of work sites all around the world. Such heavy equipment includes cranes, maintainers, bull dozers, front loaders, dump trucks, excavators. These are used in virtually all construction sites. This equipment is effective but also hazardous. Proper work planning as well as operating equipment limited to its use, are essential steps for safe operation.

WHAT’S THE DANGER?

These are many different dangers or hazards associated with heavy equipment. The two major hazards / dangers that are responsible for the majority of injuries and fatalities are:

Struck-by incidents

One of the biggest exposures for a fatality on a construction site is ground personnel being struck by moving equipment. OSHA statesapproximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes. It is everyone’s responsibility to look out for one another while working around this equipment.
Work areas where heavy equipment is should be clearly marked and barricaded. Unnecessary foot traffic should be eliminated in these barricaded work areas.
Ground personnel entering a work area where there is equipment operating need to make their presence known to all operators in the area.
Operators should avoid backing whenever possible and need to stop their work task if they lose sight of any ground personnel.
A spotter should be used if equipment is operating in a tight area or when operating around ground personnel. In certain situations it could more hazardous to use a spotter.
Plan work tasks accordingly and eliminate the need for a spotter if possible.

Caught-in or between incidents

These incidents are very similar to struck-by incidents, however there are differences. A struck-by incident is when an object striking a person causes the injury. A caught-in or between incident is when there is an injury due to crushing between two objects.
An excavator bucket swinging around and striking a person in an open field would be a struck-by incident. An excavator counter weight that turns and pins a person against a wall would be a caught-in or between incident.
One important safeguard in protecting yourself from these incidents is to stay out of the line of fire and always leave yourself an “out”.
You should first always consider the safest place to be around equipment with regards to the line of fire.
Never put yourself in a situation where you do not have an out to escape danger.
It is important to always be able to get out of the way if other safeguards fail and you are put in a situation where you can become of victim of these incidents.

Other Hazards / Dangers

While struck – by incidents, caught – in or between incidents, and tip overs are prominent, there are other hazards / dangers.

Slips, trips, and falls are some of most common types of incidents that result in injuries to workers. Operators of heavy equipment are not exempt from these incidents occurring to them. Climbing into the cab of equipment or walking on the slick surfaces of a machine are two common occurrences that can result in a slip, trip, or fall injury for an operator.
Pinch points are located in many different places on a piece of heavy equipment. Door jams or equipment hoods are two common pinch point locations where operators injure fingers.
Loose cargo can lead to injury due to an operator losing control of their equipment. A loss in control results from an operator being distracted from their work due to objects moving around in their cab. Another way loose cargo can lead to an incident is when an object that is not secured gets stuck in a control or under a pedal of the equipment.
Leaks on equipment can lead to multiple different types of injuries or property loss. A leak in a pressurized line is especially hazardous. Hydraulic lines that are leaking can inject fluid underneath the skin of a worker. This kills tissue which often results in amputation of the affected body part if not treated quickly. Leaking equipment can also lead to a slip incident for those workers who happen to step on the fluid.

Additionally, there are also other sources of injury that are problematic for operators and personnel.

Repairing and servicing equipment in dangerous positions.
Striking individuals or other vehicles with the equipment, particularly its blade.
Unexpected violent tipping of the equipment.
Uncontrolled traffic within or through the work area.
Unexpected violent shocks or jars to the machine.
Sudden movement of a power unit while it is being attached to earth moving equipment.
Limbs of trees or overhead obstructions
Leaving earth moving or other equipment in dangerous positions while unattended.
Failure of lifting mechanisms.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

It is obvious that there are many hazards and dangers in the use and operation of heavy equipment. Well-coordinated “operating maintenance procedures” can ensure, as best, as possible, the safety of those working with and around heavy equipment.

Here are ways to eliminate / reduce and mitigate against the hazards and dangers.

Always use three points of contact when climbing into the cab of heavy equipment.
Clear boots and steps of any mud to avoid slick conditions.
Watch hand placement and avoid pinch point areas. Ensure equipment guards are in place and functioning to avoid hands or body parts from being caught-in or between them.
Maintain a clean cab. Ensure any items within the cab are tied down or secured properly.
Always complete a pre-use inspection prior to using heavy equipment. Tag out equipment that has leaks until it is properly repaired.
Never check for leaks on pressurized lines with your hands, even while wearing gloves.
All equipment should be inspected prior to use. Any problems found with equipment should be corrected before it is used.
Equipment should have seatbelts and a roll over protective system to protect the operator in case of roll over or crash.
Work areas should be properly delineated and enough space given to heavy equipment to operate properly. Clear out all unnecessary personnel, objects, and vehicles from where the equipment is operating.
Operators should complete a walk around of their equipment every time before getting back into the cab to be sure no objects, people, or vehicles are in a blind spot.
Proper training and fit-for-work. Employees need to be familiar with the equipment that they operate. Employees also need to ensure that they are not operating equipment if they are excessively fatigued or sick.

General Operating Precautions

Machines should be maintained in good working order. All vital parts such as motors, chassis, blades, blade holders, tracks, drives, hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms, and transmissions should be thoroughly inspected each day.
Before using the starting motor, the operator should check to make sure that all operating controls are in the neutral position.
Machines should be operated at speeds and in a manner consistent with conditions on the particular job.
Before starting a job, the operator must be given instructions regarding the work to be done.
At no time should a piece of equipment be left unattended while the motor is running, especially if the machine is on an inclined surface or on loose material.
If possible, equipment should be driven entirely off the road at night. When any portion of the machine projects into the road, it should be adequately marked with red lights or flares. Red flags should be used in daytime.
Operators should stop motors and refrain from smoking during refueling operations.
The operator should keep deck plates or steps on equipment free from grease, oil, ice and mud. Corded soles shoes are recommended.
Employees, other than operator, should not ride on equipment.
Operators should not wear loose clothing, which can get caught in moving parts of equipment.

FINAL WORD

There are many hazards that are present when dealing with heavy equipment on the work site. Consider what unique hazards / dangers the equipment and job tasks create in your work site. Constant focus on pre – planning as well as what safeguards are needed is important to remain safe while operating heavy equipment.