Construction Safety Activities

Extremely powerful and complex, today's construction equipment often creates dangerous conditions at the work site. Any moving equipment such as backhoes, trenchers, cranes, skip loaders, backhoes, hi-lifts and large trucks command respect. Avoid them whenever your work activities don't require you to be within close proximity to them. When they do, never assume that a heavy equipment operator sees you. That will lead to serious injury or death.
  1. General Requirements

    • Each day, you should dress properly for the weather and the work you're to perform. This includes gloves, boots, clothing and all appropriate personal protective equipment.

      Perform a site walk-through to make assessments of the work areas. Identify any hazards and report unsafe conditions to your immediate supervisor to initiate corrective actions. As part of the safety assessment, inspect all your tools and equipment to make sure they are safely operational. Inspect guards, hoses, wires and connections to ensure they are in proper working order, and report any defective items immediately.

      Practice good housekeeping at all times. Never leave materials in walkways, roadways, stairways or any inappropriate locations. Both for normal work activities and means of escape in the event of an emergency, make sure all materials are placed where they belong.

    Fire Prevention

    • You must make sure that you have the appropriate amount and proper type of firefighting equipment on hand in the event of a fire. Place all firefighting equipment in obvious locations for easy access. Ensure that the equipment is inspected according to guidelines and in good operating condition. Of course, all employees should be trained in the proper use of firefighting equipment.

      Use only approved safety cans for the handling and storage of flammable liquids in quantities greater than 1 gallon. Keep work areas free and clear of all fire hazards when working with heat-producing equipment. A fire extinguisher must be available at all times when using heat-producing equipment.

    Vehicles and Mechanized Equipment

    • Check all vehicles and equipment at the beginning of each shift. It's not enough to check them at the beginning of the day when multiple shifts are being run. Checking at the start of each shift ensures each subsequent operator has done their safety due diligence. Equipment should not be left powered when unattended. Parked equipment requires engagement of the parking brakes. If parked on a hill or incline, be sure to chock the wheels in addition to engaging the parking brake.

      When leaving equipment unattended at night adjacent to highways during normal use, ensure that reflectors or lights (or barricades with same) are positioned to identify the location of the equipment.

      During operations, earth-moving or compaction equipment having an obstructed rear view must have an audible reverse alarm. In the absence of the alarm, the vehicle should only be backed when an observer indicates it is safe to proceed.

      All vehicles should have an operable horn, firmly secured seats, properly installed seat belts and a fully operational braking system. The braking system includes in-service, parking and emergency brakes. Further, all vehicles with cabs must be equipped with safety glass windshields.

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