Safety tips for two common types of high-risk construction equipment
The use of certain kinds of construction equipment carries with it the risk of injury. Here are some safety measures which should be employed when operating the following types of high-risk construction equipment:
Cranes
Cranes play an important role in many construction projects. They are used primarily for lifting and transporting heavy items. Their size and weight can make them extremely difficult to safely manoeuvre.
A high level of skill is required to operate this piece of heavy construction equipment. Given this, it is vital for those tasked with using cranes on building sites to be provided with the necessary training. A training course will not only teach them the basic skills required to use the vehicle itself but will also show them how to assess the equipment and detect potentially dangerous faults. Courses may also include information about how to use lighting and hand signals to communicate with those on the ground whilst they are inside the vehicle.
Cranes should also be inspected at the beginning of each work day for signs of defects, which may interfere with the operator's ability to safely use the equipment. During this inspection, operators should check for issues with the crane's outriggers, lighting, and control panel, as well as for cracks in the equipment's cables.
Lastly, operators should take certain precautions to reduce the chances of the crane tipping over whilst it is in use. They should, for example, ensure that the crane is only ever used on stable, level ground, as soft, loosely-compact soil that collapses under the weight of the crane could easily result in the machinery falling to one side.
Additionally, cranes should never be used in extremely windy conditions, as a particularly strong gust could potentially push the crane over.
Chainsaws
Chainsaws are used with great regularity on many building sites. However, whilst chainsaws can be very useful, they can also be incredibly dangerous. If this item is used incorrectly, it can lead to deep wounds, loss of limbs and even fatalities. As such, it is vital for workers to be extremely careful when using this piece of construction equipment.
Education is essential; labourers should undergo extensive chainsaw training before they attempt to use this device. The information provided in their training sessions will drastically reduce the likelihood of them making a potentially fatal error when the time comes for them to use a chainsaw.
Newly-trained labourers should be supervised during their first few attempts at performing work with a chainsaw. This will give their supervisor a chance to assess the labourer's skill level, correct errors and determine if the labourer has any physical impairments (such as a lack of manual dexterity or physical strength, or vision problems) which might affect their ability to do their job safely.
Those who need to use chainsaws should also be provided with protective clothing. Heavy-duty, high-grip gloves are essential; these will reduce the chances of slippage and keep the workers' hands warm during periods of cool weather (if their fingers go numb as a result of exposure to cool temperatures, they could lose their grip on the handle of the chainsaw).
Safety goggles should also be worn; these will prevent eye-related injuries which could be caused by flying debris generated by the chainsaw. Outer clothing should be free from any loose threads or long zips which could potentially get snagged in the chainsaw.
