Preventing Equipment Damage Incidents Toolbox Talk

Preventing Equipment Damage Incidents Safety Talk

There are many safety hazards that can be found on a construction site. Not because anyone is doing anything wrong, but because there are many things that can be dangerous. The number one goal on a construction site is to ensure that everything is being done as safely as possible.

Safety regulations and protocols are put into place to protect you and everyone around you. These rules are there to protect the equipment and supplies that are being used on the job as well. All of these things are very expensive and need to be taken care of to the best of your ability.

Damage that can happen to heavy equipment

These big pieces of equipment come with high costs. While the safety of people operating them and working around them is most important, you still want to make sure you are operating heavy equipment with care as well. There are many things that can happen to machinery that can cause timeline delays or cost the company a lot of money, including:

• Broken windshield or windows

• Dings and dents

• Damaged tires

• Damaged tailgates

• Damaged hoses and lines

All of these things can pose a hazard when someone operates them. When equipment is not in top-notch condition, it shouldn’t be used until it is fixed properly. This is a safety hazard for people who fail to inspect machinery or use it when there are problems present.

How damage can be prevented to heavy equipment

There are a variety of things that can happen to machinery when you are working on a construction site. Proper maintenance should always be performed and precautions should be taken to keep the equipment in the best condition possible. Even when you follow those rules, normal wear and tear will still happen. There isn’t much you can do about that.

However, there are some practices that you can follow to help make sure that you and your company get the most use out of your equipment. These are simple steps that any employee who is operating a piece of heavy equipment should follow. Safety protocols are all put into place to keep everyone involved safe.

Stay within the equipments limits

There are rules and regulations that should always be followed by equipment operators. Signs can also be posted about proper operating regulations. When machinery is pushed to limits that they are not designed for, it creates more hazardous conditions. This can result in injury to yourself or damage to the machinery that is being used.

Not only should equipment be operated in the way it was designed to, but only certified persons should operate them. There are certifications and qualifications that should be obtained by employees using them. Operating them without these courses can easily lead to mistakes being made.

Think about the situations at hand

It is easy to think you can resolve a situation your own way, but that’s not always true. Before stepping outside the boundaries of proper usage for your equipment, notify the correct personnel to know what steps you should take.

Notify the right people

Taking charge of a situation that you are not in control of will never turn out well. When there is a problem with a job, the right people need to be notified to follow protocol. These people are put in charge for a reason. Always try to follow the right steps and notify the person above you when situations call for it.

How to prevent injury and accidents on a constructions site

There are many things that employers can do to prevent injuries or accidents from happening while working. Safety regulations and protocols should be properly demonstrated and explained. Regular employee meetings should be held to review ways to improve safety and to check that regulations are being followed.

Around the worksite, signs can be posted about safety standards and what should and shouldn’t be done in certain areas of the site. Some additional things that can be done include:

• Trying to keep a clean and tidy worksite. Good housekeeping can prevent injury to people and equipment.

• Providing safety training for all employees, especially when first beginning a job.

• Having proper signs displayed of what is allowed in certain sections of the worksite.

• Ensuring employees wear proper PPE at all times when the job requires it. Some of the most common types that should be worn on construction sites are hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, steel toe boots, safety vests, ear protection, and harnesses.

• Putting the proper steps into places where they are needed. Secure items that are at high surfaces that could fall and hit someone or equipment below.

• Do regular inspections and observations of the work on the jobsite. Managers, foremen, and supervisors can do this to help ensure the right steps and precautions are being taken at all times.

• Returning equipment to their proper storing spaces. Leaving it out or even unattended when not in use can lead to unsafe circumstances occurring.

• Wearing the seatbelts that are provided for operators of heavy machinery when they are in use.

Always remember

Equipment damage can happen very easily when precautions and steps are not followed by employees. The company may need to pay a lot of money in repairs to these big machines if employees back into stationary objects, aren’t being observant when operating, and are generally negligent and reckless.

You are putting yourself, your fellow employees, and the machinery at risk when you do not follow the regulations that have been given to you.