Tip for Pipeline Workers: Operate Heavy Equipment Safely
Some of the most commonly used heavy equipment are:
• Dozers
• Loaders
• Forklifts
• Cable Plows
• Graders
• Mixers
• Trucks
• Backhoes
• Cranes
While there are no standardized safety practices for operating heavy equipment, there are key work practices that can help every job site safe for the workers.
First, ensure that your employees are well-trained in using the heavy equipment that they will be operating. Heavy equipment requires training and practice before they can be operated safely and effectively. Experienced pipeline workers usually know how to operate most equipment and also understand job safety procedures, but for everyone’s benefit, you should still provide training, demonstrations and evaluations for the workers. Employees must be competent in using the equipment in different terrains and situations.
When operating the equipment, the worker must have a presence of mind and be aware of their surroundings. Operators must never operate vehicles in reverse when the back view is obstructed.
Another simple but effective way of ensuring safety at the workplace is to do a simple checkup of the heavy equipment before the beginning of each shift. A thorough inspection is not required every day but a quick visual inspection can be very helpful in determining if one or more parts are defective or require replacement. Also perform regular checks of the horn and other warning device of the equipment too.
Always follow the maximum load capacity of the equipment. Manufacturers specify the maximum capacity of their equipment, make sure the workers are aware of this limit.
Workers must make sure that unattended equipment and machinery are turned off and that parking safety brakes are set. While operating the equipment, workers must pay attention to vehicle handling. The employee must report knobs, sticks, and other parts of the equipment getting stuck or not working smoothly.
Make it a job site requirement to take all faulty or broken equipment out of service. Perform all the necessary repairs and replacement before the machines are put back into service again.
Ensure that workers operating heavy equipment have the required personal protection equipment and that they use the equipment while working. Even when operating machines with roofs or covers, workers must wear hard hats and eye protection. Other gear might be needed depending on the machine being operated and the task being performed.
Terry Smeader
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Tags: heavy equipment, Oil, Safety, workers
