Safety Precautions to Follow While Operating Heavy Lifting Equipment

Most sub-fields of the construction industry demand use of heavy lifting equipment, in order to move heavy machines and components. Various types of heavy lifting equipment are used while constructing high-rise buildings, undertaking bridge building techniques, building domes, chimneys and other such structures. Cranes, forklifts, hydraulic jacks and climbers, elevating platforms, etc. are few examples of such equipment (Zachray Elijah, ALL ABOUT HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS THE SAFETY MEASURES, nd).

This equipment needs to be used in a careful and controlled manner, by implementing some safety precautions at the construction sites. This is because the slightest mistake made while using the machines may result in accidents, thus being a risk to both life as property. The following points talk more about these safety precautions as well as an overall description of the dos and don’ts to follow while using heavy lifting equipment.

Accidents and Damage Caused

Improper handling of heavy lifting equipment might lead to a variety of accidents. Such situations also occur anytime, even though all safety precautions are being maintained. This could happen if the machine components are faulty or if certain aspects are not being followed while working. For example, loads being lifted may simply fall and collapse due to equipment malfunction of worker negligence, thus harming those who standing beneath them. If the machines are not serviced properly, they might malfunction, leading to accidents. If workers receive ineffective training, there are high chances that they would commit mistakes while handling the lifting machines, thus causing accidents.

Dos

While dealing with heavy lifting equipment, do ensure that you implement the following pointers:

1. The lifted load should come under the load bearing capacity of the machinery under operation.

2. The equipment used should be set up as instructed and any different set up methods should be avoided.

3. Use the right kind of safety procedures while using the equipment hardware.

4. Ensure that the equipment is properly maintained.

5. Provide the workers with appropriate safety equipment as coveralls, glares, helmets, safety shoes, etc.

6. Make sure that the protective clothing and apparatus is worn by the workers throughout working time, when the construction processes are going on.

Don’ts

In contrast to the above described dos, the following pointers explain the actions that need to be avoided or not performed at all.

1. Do not use hazardous equipment without carefully understanding how it works.

2. Ensure that the workers don’t ever remove their safety coveralls and other items while undertaking construction processes.

3. Do not interrupt the workers while they are handling heavy lifting jacks and crane lifting equipment. Doing this may cause distraction thus leading to accidents.

4. Do not wear anything that might cause it to get trapped in the protective clothing and apparatus, thus avoiding injuries.

Apart from these pointers, as a construction business, you should also invest in heavy lifting equipment sold only by reliable dealers. This is important from the perspective of buying quality products.

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