Heavy machines are used in virtually every factory, manufacturing plant, construction site, and workplace which requires heavy objects to be moved and relocated. These machines save workers a lot of time and effort from having to move these objects manually.
However, heavy machines require their operators to be knowledgeable and skilled in using them or else they could cause harm to themselves or somebody else. There have been several workplace deaths and injuries over the years because of heavy machinery misuse and neglect. Don’t let this happen in your workplace.
Heavy machinery careers can be rewarding if employees and companies take the necessary precautions to reduce the risks of heavy machinery accidents in the workplace. Below are the top 5 ways you can go about reducing these safety hazards in heavy machinery careers and environments.
- Safety Training
Most heavy machinery careers require operators to undergo some type of training in order to get their certification. This goes for both inexperienced operators who’ve never operated these machines before and experienced operators who need continuing education to receive their “statement of attainment certificate.”
If operators fail to get their required training, they will increase the risk of there being a workplace accident. Training is mandatory for anyone who operates a bobcat, excavator, backhoe, or front-end loader. This is the only way to keep the workplace safe.
- Machine Inspections
Do not assume that heavy machines will always work well. Like any machine, you can expect them to malfunction or break down at some point. You must always inspect these machines before using them, otherwise you will remain oblivious to their problems until you’re in the middle of using them.
By that point, you could end up endangering yourself and the people around you. On top of that, you may inadvertently damage the machine or the surrounding property. So, always inspect each machine and test its functionality before using it on the job.
- Take Your Time
Workplaces are very busy environments, but that doesn’t mean you need to rush when you’re operating a heavy machine. You’re less likely to cause an accident if you operate a heavy machine slowly and smoothly.
Otherwise, if you were to try operating it faster because you need to satisfy some urgent deadline, then it will increase the chances of an accident. Think about how much time will be wasted if that happens. Therefore, it is better to move slowly in the long run.
- Focus
We live in a world now where distractions are all around us. Every person you see has a smartphone on them. If your workplace is smart in their policy decision making, then they will have a policy which forbids the use of smartphones on the worksite.
Operating a heavy machine requires the operator to be totally focused and alert. If you are using your phone with one hand and operating a heavy machine with the other hand, an accident is most certainly going to happen.
It is even more likely to happen than if you were driving a car and using your phone. Just keep your smartphone in your car or in a locker before heading to the worksite and you will remove this distraction.
- Warn Others
You cannott just hop onto any heavy machine and start driving it around the worksite without warning anybody else first. There are probably dozens of workers who are walking back and forth all over the place, whether it’s a construction site or warehouse.
If you don’t give them a warning that you’re coming, then you could end up injuring someone who wasn’t prepared. That is why communication on the worksite is critical when heavy machines are about to be used. This will help you avoid lots of accidents.
