Heavy Equipment Safety

Heavy equipment helps tackle difficult projects in a shockingly low amount of time. These powerful pieces of machinery can haul away massive amounts of material, push through difficult terrain, or even manipulate the landscape. But all this power brings with it threats to safety. It's crucial that safety is a priority when tractors and construction equipment enter the picture. Here at Magnum Power, we strive to promote safety. That's why we created the following article on heavy equipment safety. For all your heavy equipment needs, visit our dealership. We are located in Clay County, Missouri near Kearney, Liberty, Gladstone, and Kansas City.

Training

Before anyone uses a piece of heavy equipment, they should receive thorough training. This may seem like an obvious statement, but you would be surprised how often people attempt to operate construction equipment without having undergone a thorough training first. All pieces of heavy equipment are not the same and it's important to know how each new piece works. 

It's not enough to simply sit through a presentation or read a manual on how tractors work. Hands-on training should be a part of the program. First, it'll be easier for people to remember the processes if they can walk through the steps. Second, it allows people to attempt to use the heavy equipment while under the watchful eye of the trainer. This allows mistakes to be caught early on before they become bad habits. Construction equipment training should include both how to use the heavy equipment and how to do so safely.

Regular Maintenance

All pieces of heavy equipment will eventually experience wear and tear. That's just what happens when you use them often enough. Tractors should be inspected regularly so that you can catch any performance issues before they become a safety issue. Plus, catching them early also tends to help keep the repair costs lower. You'll want to look over things such as the seatbelts, fire suppression system, and any failsafe. The owner's manual for your construction equipment will give you a timeline for when certain aspects should be checked.

Pacing

We get it. You and your crew are under strict deadlines that are fast approaching. Sometimes it feels the only way to meet intense demands are to speed through the work. But when you involve heavy equipment, speed can often bring about safety risks that cause workplace accidents. It also worsens employee stress and distractions, which can also increase the chance of safety issues.

Going slower can actually be the fastest approach. It leaves less room for mistakes and safety accidents, which is better for productivity and your team. When tractors and construction equipment are in the picture, it's important to go at a safe pace.

Communication

Projects that involve heavy equipment often involve multiple people. It's important for team members to stay in good communication with each other, whether it's with two-way radios, signs, flaggers, or a combination of approaches. When everyone is able to clearly communicate, it makes it easier for everyone to stay safe. 

Focus

It's not always easy to operate tractors and construction equipment! Workers should be getting plenty of rest and operate the heavy equipment with an alertness and focus. There should also be an alertness and focus when it comes to watching those who are operating the heavy equipment, keeping an eye out for potential dangers and safety risks. Proactivity helps keep people safe!

For all your heavy equipment needs, visit Magnum Power. We are located in Clay County, Missouri near Kearney, Liberty, Gladstone, and Kansas City, Missouri. Our friendly staff is ready to help with whatever you need, so stop by today!