April 10, 2023 Safety Risks Related to Heavy Construction Equipment

Working around heavy equipment comes with safety risks but many fail to appreciate the risks associated with heavy equipment.

Most people understand that working around heavy equipment comes with safety risks. Many fail to appreciate the risks associated with heavy equipment.

Not understanding the risks leads to accidents, which in some cases, can be deadly.

The following is a summary of common risks anyone working in the proximity of heavy equipment faces.

Getting Struck or Run Over

If the driver of heavy equipment is not trained properly or just has a bad day, they might not be as aware of their surroundings as they should be. One operator not paying attention can seriously injure anyone in the way of the equipment. The risks increase when operating around multiple workers, in inclement weather, or under high-pressure deadlines.

Most construction sites require high-visibility clothing, safety equipment, first aid equipment, and specific standard operating procedures to combat that risk. However, the best way to avoid an accident of this nature is to always assume the operator cannot see you and plan accordingly.

Poor Training or Experience Leading to Injury

Heavy equipment can do a lot of damage to anything it encounters if not operated properly. The immediate risk is to the job itself, but lack of training or experience also significantly increases the risks of serious injury to the operator and workers around the equipment.

When untrained or inexperienced workers use equipment beyond their skill set, the risks are that they will not use the equipment properly, miscalculate the power of the machine, lose control of it, or panic. Lack of training and experience can lead to significant property damage and serious injury to the operator and any employees nearby.

A risk of serious property damage or personal injury is why construction companies have rigorous training for operators of heavy equipment. Additionally, government training and certification are required to operate some machinery. Inexperienced staff should only be allowed to operate equipment under the close supervision of a trained mentor.

Injury Because of Ignored or Missing Safety Procedures and Guards

Safety procedures can be monotonous and might even seem unneeded. Safety guards on machinery are often there to protect the worker, but some find guards are restrictive and slow down the completion of certain tasks. In either case, not following safety protocols or removing equipment makes the equipment more dangerous.

Those procedures and guards are not the whim of a nameless, faceless manager or bureaucrat looking to fill up some time on the job. While some safety processes and equipment are intuitive, most get created out of need.

Ignoring Safety Procedures and Operator Instructions

Procedures exist to ensure everything works correctly. Not following proper safety procedures can lead to unsafe working conditions, accidents, and injury to the person not following the procedures and anyone working around them. Ignoring operator instructions can lead to the same.

Here are two examples.

A worker that uses a crane without ensuring all safety checks are verified risks dropping whatever it is lifting, swinging materials too wide and striking something, or even the crane collapsing because of improper assembly or weight displacement calculations.

A worker that uses heavy equipment improperly or in a way other than intended increases the risk of machine failure and injury to the operator and those around the equipment. In the worst case, improper methods can lead to a fatal heavy equipment accident.

Ignoring or Removing Equipment Guards

Guards exist for the same reason as safety protocols and operator instructions. Almost always, guards are created and in place because of accidents. At some point, the lack of a guard injured someone or created a situation where a job was delayed because of something that happened.

Ignoring guards, removing them, or installing them improperly can cause problems on a heavy equipment job site that include, but are not limited to:

• Body parts getting stuck in a moving part of the equipment
• Trauma because of getting stuck in or hit by the moving parts
• Electrocution because of exposed electrical components
• Injuries to hearing or eyesight

Another risk of ignoring guards on equipment is the machinery itself becoming dangerous. Most machinery is only dangerous when used improperly. Sometimes, however, the equipment can become a safety risk when the safety controls are removed or ignored.

One example of equipment becoming dangerous is when it is not anchored properly when working on uneven or unstable ground. The risk of the equipment rolling over or the earth beneath it collapsing and crushing those working around the machinery is greatly increased when this is the case.

Injuries Caused by Not Wearing Proper PPE

Much like safety procedures and guards, personal protection equipment (PPE) is usually created and mandated in response to an accident. Any work site is made exceptionally more dangerous without PPE.

For instance, workers on the side of a highway wear high-visibility clothing because vehicle operators might not see them without it. Anyone on site must wear the required headgear because a construction helmet can protect a person from falling debris. Ear and eyes PPE is required because of hazards that can lead to loss of hearing and sight.

Transportation Risks

Transporting construction materials, tools, and equipment is also very dangerous. Because heavy equipment construction equipment tends to be larger, the risk of running into something is greater. In inclement weather, that risk increases rapidly as weather conditions decline.

Another risk of transporting heavy equipment is the load shifting, causing the vehicle to overturn. Oversized vehicles can also strike construction workers if the operator does not account for the larger size. A fourth risk is getting struck by debris that falls off large construction equipment (which is a risk with all types of construction.)

Final Thoughts

Heavy equipment construction presents different risks than smaller equipment or materials. Without safety policies, procedures and PPE, any job site can injure someone and even become deadly. The smartest thing a worker can do is be aware of their surroundings, wear high-visibility clothing whenever appropriate, and always make sure they follow safety rules and recommendations.

Nick Warrick is the sales manager at All Seasons Uniforms, a professional workwear company based outside of Chicago that has been in business since 1991.

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