To complete large projects, a lot of heavy equipment is required. Construction sites run on loaders, dozers, excavators, earthmovers, and material handlers. A construction site can be a potentially dangerous location for workers due to the sheer size and strength of these massive pieces of machinery. You and your personnel must be aware of the danger and spot heavy equipment hazards to minimise construction site safety risks. That’s why specialist lift services are hired. However, ensure you are hiring the professionals; otherwise, you can end with serious issues that will be discussed below.
Falling Accidents
Some of the most prominent construction site hazards are falls. Many construction projects include working at heights and on raised platforms, and workers’ failure to secure themselves frequently results in serious accidents. Even a moderate fall can result in damage, while a fall from a higher point can result in death.
Heavy equipment movers will ensure the following safety measures such as:
- Identifying places and zones that may experience a fall
- Fall hazards should be labelled in risky areas.
- Putting up safety barriers along risky work zones is a good idea.
- Ensure that all gates and doors are properly latched or locked. Provide and instruct personnel on how to use safety harnesses.
Struck-By Accidents
When a worker comes into touch with a motion object or falls onto a non-moving object, it is called a struck-by construction accident. Some of these collisions happen when a vehicle or mobile equipment collides with a worker:
- A worker on foot collides with an equipment operator.
- Failure to properly set the parking brake
- Failure to use wheel chocks appropriately
Caught-Between Accidents
Caught-in-the-middle collisions almost usually result in injuries that involve lost time at work and, in some circumstances, permanent disability and even death. Vehicle-worker accidents account for a high number of caught-between workplace occurrences, in which the driver of a vehicle failed to see a worker and crushed them. Here are a few examples:
- A worker being crushed by a structure or other piece of machinery
- Pinning a worker to a fixed item or a wall
- A worker is squeezed into the moving elements of a machine
Electrocution Accidents
While electrocution is less likely than other worksite hazards that are discussed above, it is still one of the most dangerous. A deadly amount of electrical energy is classified as electrocution. Although an electric shock isn’t always fatal, it can cause catastrophic injuries such as severe burns and heart collapse. Many electrocution mishaps happen when a power supply isn’t properly turned off or when a worker doesn’t double-check that a lockout procedure was performed before interfering with a machine.
The following are some examples of workplace mistakes that might result in electrocution:
- Wires that have been frayed or mended.
- Security devices that have been disabled.
- There is no lockout procedure in place.
- Repairs to wiring & switches are just “temporary.”
- Wiring, sockets, & equipment power ratings are incorrect.
- Standing water near extension wires and equipment.
- When employing cranes and buckets, failure to locate electricity wires.
- Failure to recognise power wires beneath the earth.
Equipment movers not only provide assistance in relocating the equipment but consider all the measures before and after lifting the machinery. So, be certain to hire the experts and prevent deadly accidents.
