Construction Equipment Safety: Tips For Safe Excavator Operation
If you're new to the construction industry or you're just starting to work some small jobs, it's important that you have the right equipment. When you're looking at construction vehicles, one of the things you should consider investing in is a compact excavator. These excavators are easier to handle than some of the larger excavation equipment, but they still have specific safety considerations. Here are some of the things you need to be aware of when working with your first compact excavator.
Safety Inspections Should be Mandatory
Before the excavator is put into service each day, it needs to be inspected. The safety inspection gives you the chance to spot any worn parts or other safety risks. Walk around the excavator, looking for visible signs of damage. Inspect the tracks to ensure that they aren't worn. Check the bucket, arms and joints to be sure they're tight and secure.
After you finish the external inspection, it's time to test the signals. Test the horn, lights and other controls. Every safety component and operational feature must be functional, otherwise you put your crew at risk.
The Seat Belt is Important
You might think that the seat belt isn't a big deal, or maybe you're worried that you'll get trapped in the excavator if something happens. The truth is, buckling up is likely to be safer for you than not in an excavator of any size. If you don't buckle the seat belt when you're using it, you may fall out of the truck if it tips. In that case, you're running the risk of being crushed by the truck. The seat belt helps keep you where you're safe from serious injury by the excavator itself.
All Operators Should Follow Safety Rules
Make sure all of your excavator operators understand the safety rules for dealing with the equipment. First, stress the importance of maintaining three contact points at all times. This means that your operators should be touching the excavator with both feet and a hand, or both hands and a foot at all times. This limits the risk of falling.
Keep the bucket low to the ground when you're going down an incline. If the machine starts tipping, lower the attachment as far as you can, then lean in the opposite direction that the equipment is tipping. Finally, make sure your operators know the load limit and don't exceed it. Putting too much weight on the equipment can cause tipping, which may cause serious injury.
Talk to local auto dealers or construction rental places, such as Scott Equipment, to get more information about compact excavators and how you can purchase one today.