© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 1

Construction Safety Talks

Equipment Dangers

No. 59

How This Talk Applies To My

Crew:

Some Things To Know Before You Give Your Talk.

As a supervisor, you know that the equipment used on construction jobs often creates dangerous conditions for those working around it. You should remind your crew of some of the common situations that they should watch for during their work activities, including:

• being struck by moving equipment like

- cranes

- aerial lifts

- excavators

- trucks

One should never assume that the operator will see them as they travel around the job. Due to design constraints, a lot of this equipment has poor visibility both forward and backward. Even though equipped with back up alarms, job noise may mask the sound.

If they are driving a truck and have to back up into a job site or an area of poor visibility, tell them to ask for a spotter. If this is not possible, they should get out of the unit and check to make sure the area behind the vehicle is clear and then back immediately.

Tell them to stand clear of all swinging structures on equipment such as cranes and excavators. Counter weights can often create a pinch point between outriggers, buildings, or other obstructions. Tell operators to check to see that there is enough room for people to walk by. If there is not enough room close the area with flagging, cones, or barricades so that no one can pass through.

• The only place for riding on a piece of equipment is in a seat with a seat belt fastened. Your crew should never ride on the running boards, ladders, or drawbar. Material loaded on the vehicle such as forms or masonry blocks may shift and strike them. Or they could be thrown off when moving over rough ground.

No seat, no ride.

© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 2

Try This For Show And Tell!

Visit a crane on the job or watch moving equipment and discuss how it is safeguarded or if additional precautions should be taken.

Ask an excavator operator to indicate when they first see an employee approach their machine from the sides and from the back. Explain that they could easily get closer to an operating machine as the operator is concentrating on their work. This puts them in harms way from either being struck or run over.

Questions You Can Use To Get Them Talking:

• What can be done to keep personnel from being struck by a swinging counter weight?

• What is the best way to ensure that a backing truck does not strike another object or person?

• Why should you never trust the operator to see you?

• Has anyone ever had an accident - or know of one - involving moving equipment?

Attended By:

The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.