Earthmoving equipment is a vital part of many construction projects. However, working with and around this heavy equipment can pose a safety risk for workers. Using odds ratios, researchers found several variables that significantly increased the odds of fatality in earthmoving equipment accidents. These included inadequate safety training, missing equipment protective systems, and being on or around improperly maintained equipment.
Safety Training
Each year, thousands of workers suffer injuries due to equipment accidents. Many of these incidents result from operator error. Employees must be trained to operate heavy machinery safely to reduce the risk of these mistakes. It’s also essential to train workers to maintain and inspect equipment. This includes ensuring that equipment is clean and free of dirt, grime, and other debris. Dirty machines are in danger of breaking down or malfunctioning if the parts and tools aren’t cleaned regularly. Providing adequate barricades and signage is another way to promote earthmoving Riverside, CA, safety on construction sites.
Additionally, it’s essential to provide temporary support for existing foundations when excavating near them. In addition, if a worker is going to enter an excavation that’s deeper than 1.2 meters, they must undergo confined space entry training and perform gas testing. This is to protect them from toxic or flammable gases.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment creates a barrier between workers and the hazards they face. Whether the danger is physical, chemical, electrical, or mechanical, PPE can help prevent severe injuries and illnesses, including burns, cuts, eye injuries, hearing loss, or amputations. Ensure that your operators wear proper safety gear and inspect their equipment regularly for damage or signs of wear. Protective gloves, hard hats, and work boots can help prevent head and foot injuries, while respirators can protect against toxic gases that may be present in excavation sites. Having the right gear is one thing, but training is also essential. Provide your operators with online PPE training that teaches them how to properly wear and use their equipment to protect themselves from hazards and injuries. This is an easy and convenient way to help workers stay safe on the job site. Then, they can focus on getting the job done effectively and efficiently.
Protected Areas
Working around sizeable earthmoving equipment like excavators, bulldozers, and loaders can cause serious injury if the appropriate precautions are not taken. Workers may suffer from slips and falls, noise exposure, or respiratory hazards when working on and around this equipment. Protected areas help keep workers safe by ensuring that the site is secure and that no one can access or operate machinery. The area should also be marked with barricades and signs to demarcate the excavation site. If the area is a trench, it should be protected by a temporary support structure.
Additionally, if the excavation is more profound than 1.2 meters, it must be declared a confined space and gas testing must be performed before entering. Protected areas can also help prevent accidents involving buried services, such as electricity, water, gas, and telecommunication lines. They can be achieved by contacting your local 811 or One Call center to locate underground utility lines, planning for traffic control to limit access to the excavation and surrounding areas, and inspecting the excavation, adjacent areas, protective systems, and all equipment before, during, and after shifts.
Working in Trenches
Trenches and excavations are safe for workers if they are appropriately protected. Cave-ins, shoring hazards, tripping risks, toxic gases, and accidents involving access and egress threaten workers in trenches. Unstable soil can fall into a trench and crush or suffocate workers. Vibrations from nearby traffic or construction equipment can trigger cave-ins as well. Inspecting and clearing trenches before and after each shift is crucial, as soil stability can change with weather conditions. All trench materials, tools, and equipment must be kept at least two feet from the edge. Exits in trenches 4 feet or deeper must be ladders or ramps and extend at least 3 feet beyond the edge of the trench. It’s also important not to work under raised loads as they can fall on workers inside the trench. Workers should also regularly test the atmosphere in trenches to ensure adequate oxygen and no flammable or toxic gasses are present.
