W ear seat belts Operators of construction equipment are not typically traveling at high speeds, and trafic is limited. Still, there are other working machines - and equipment sometimes needs to use or cross a public road. But seat belts do much more than protect the operator in the event of a collision. They also keep workers inside the cab’ s rollover protection structure (ROpS). And in many cases, construction equipment is more likely to roll over than be struck by another vehicle. The underfoot conditions can be unstable, and the operator can encounter a berm, ravine or a dropoff from a road to a drainage ditch. Any of these hazards can lead a machine to roll—as can loading and unloading. Staying buckled up keeps you in the ROpS—and keeps you safe. Properly enter and exit machines Start by taking the proper approach. Always face the equipment, and use the steps and rails provided by the manufacturer . make sure contact areas are clear; that steps and handrails are properly secured and free of mud and debris; and that the area is adequately lit. maintain three points of contact when mounting or dismounting. (Either one hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot, should be on the steps/handrail.) make sure footwear is clean, and that hands are free of tools or anything else that could encumber the process. Make the shop safe Repairing equipment requires caution. T urning off equipment should be obvious. But have you put all safety locks in place Keep guards and shields on power equipment—they’re installed for a reason. proper ventilation and lighting helps prevent injury . And speaking of lighting … is the shop properly wired using Ground fault Circuit (GfC) interrupters will help prevent electrical shock. Keep the place clean, too. An organized workshop makes it easy to ind the right tools and prevents heavy objects from falling; a clean loor helps you avoid slips and falls. Eye protection is a must. Know where underground lines are buried it’ s easy to do. in fact, you can have utility lines marked at your future jobsite by contacting your local municipality . potential underground hazards will soon be marked at your future jobsite. And this is a fREE service within most municipalities. make sure you call before every job - period! The safety of your crew , as well as a hefty ine, is too big of a risk to take. Recognize the hazards Start by looking around you. Are there overhead lines or other potential electrical hazards Are there steep slopes, or space issues Are employees riding on the outside of moving machines many dangers are obvious to those who are open to spotting them. if you see a potential problem, but are not sure, ask. make hazard recognition second nature by: reviewing safety procedures daily; helping new workers learn what to look for; conducting toolbox talks, participating in other forms of training; and showing a willingness to address the concern. in other words … be committed; don’ t leave safety in the hands of someone else. it’ s your responsibility to take corrective action. Secure loads properly Refer to the operator’ s manual for guidelines on proper loading and transport procedures. make sure trailers are properly hitched to the towing vehicle. use safety chains, and make sure signal lights work properly . inspect tires before each use. if the trailer has brakes, inspect them daily and make sure all connections are intact. Always make sure the brakes are locked before loading. load and unload on level surfaces. use tiedowns or chain binders to secure loads to the trailer . Check bindings after you have traveled some distance to be sure the load has not shifted. load trailers properly - put about 60 percent of the load toward the front. (T oo little weight in the front will cause the trailer to ishtail; too much weight will cause the hitch to drag and may raise the front of the towing vehicle, which reduces steering control.) Sweep the decks free of dirt, stones and debris before traveling. Wipe up any oil. SAFETY TIPS fOR CONTRACTORS WHO RENT No two construction sites are the same. T rafic patterns vary , as do the slopes and grades of the jobsite. different types of equipment come and go. And of course there can be more than one subcontractor on the job. These variables can make safety a challenge. But that challenge can be met by following simple, yet crucial, safety rules. Y our commitment to safety must be consistent. T ake steps to make your site - and those around you - safer .