Seasonal conditions can wreak havoc with the best laid plans. It could be raining hard – but that’s okay, you have windshield wipers. It could be a quagmire or two inches of snow – but that is why you have tracks and not wheels. It could be five degrees below – now your heavy equipment could have problems.

Freezing temperatures can cause a lot of problems when it comes to heavy equipment. Below freezing temperatures will often cause problems with any liquids used – hydraulic fluids, oil, water – these can all be affected. Engines are slow to start and take a long while to warm up. You can buy special anti freeze products that will often help.

One problem that many new operators don’t consider, or even realize could be a problem, is frost bite – and yes, heavy equipment can suffer a form of frost bite. This is the situation where the metal becomes so cold that it becomes brittle. Try digging and rather than performing normally, the digging tool snaps or shatters.

This is a common problem and some manufacturers even recommend heating some attachments with a torch before using them. This returns the steel to it tough state removing its brittleness. If you are going to be operating in extreme conditions, maintenance becomes extremely important. Well maintained heavy equipment can withstand extremes and continue to operate.

These are just some of the difficulties faced by new operators. Those new operators that have had training through a professional accredited heavy equipment training school will be taught how to handle some of these situations better preparing them for the workplace. That’s why employers prefer to employ new operators that have undertaken professional accredited training.

I read a report a little while ago that claimed there were three major causes of workplace accidents involving heavy equipment. The first was lack of adequate training, the second was lack of experience and the third was, lack of adequate training. I know, You are going to say I have repeated myself.

That quote is right however. There is operational training and their is safety training. Whilst the two go hand in hand – they are also completely separate. We can train you to operate heavy equipment. You can find employment and get the experience, however with out that added dimension of safety training, you will not know how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. More importantly, you will not know how to remove yourself from that situation.

Workplace health and safety are becoming compulsory in almost every work environment in almost every state in almost every country. You see, there is a worldwide trend to reduce workplace accidents. Employers don’t need them, they slow down production. Employees don’t need them, they have the potential to affect pay packets and lifestyle.

At ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools we acknowledge the need to include safety training as part of your training program so we include accredited safety training. What is the fourth cause of accidents, poor maintenance. Guess what? We include basic preventative maintenance in the training as well.

One of the most important considerations when using new heavy equipment is visibility. It’s not just a safety concern, it is also an important aspect of the efficient operation of the heavy equipment. Let’s face it, the operator can’t avoid what he can’t see and he cannot work on effectively if he cannot see the work area. Before actually getting on with the job, have a test drive and check any areas of low visibility – particularly when using a scoop or digging arm.

The controls are another area that needs a careful examination particularly if you are upgrading from a rather old piece of heavy equipment. Many of the latest models use twin joystick controls; one for controling the overall movement of the vehicle and one that operates the hydraulics for the arm, scoop, or blade. These controls require much less force to operate than mechanical controls of old. In fact, if your current equipment is really old, you may find the newest models controls are over sensitive. You will need to spend a little time becoming accustomed to their sensitivity.

If your lucky, the heavy equipment will have adjustable controls. These allow the operator to adjust the sensitivity and control pattern to match their own preferences.

Finally, check the ergonomics of the cab, particularly seat adjustments. Ensure you sitting in comfortable enough to reach all controls, read all meters and see the work area with little or no obstructions.

New equipment can be tricky and will take some time to get used to. Receiving training on equipment that is fairly recent can help, however the reality is you may end up working on a site that has fairly ancient equipment. At some stage that equipment will be upgraded, or you may change employer and suddenly you are confronted with the latest piece of equipment. Don’t hesitate, remember these guidelines and you will be as right as rain.

Mobile cranes are responsible for a large number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities in the workplace each year. One of the most common accidents is the situation where a crane comes into contact with overhead power lines. Other accidents include loads that are dropped and cranes overturning.

As a mobile crane operator you have the right, in fact the responsibility, to refuse to lift any load if there is any question about safety and the safe load limits given the environmental conditions at the time. It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that all operators have received proper safety training.

Ultimately, it comes down to the crane operator. If you are working close to overhead power lines, you should be constantly watching to ensure you don’t make contact. If your vision is obstructed, you should request a signaler to can advise you about your location and the location of the overhead power lines.

Safety training is important to all heavy equipment operators. Crane operators require safety training that is directed to their field, that is, the operation of a crane.

At ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools we take safety training seriously and include safety components in all heavy equipment training. Crane operations may be dangerous, but then all heavy equipment has a degree of danger attached. Make sure your training includes all the safety aspect required.

When you were growing up, did you like playing in the dirt with toy trucks, perhaps a bulldozer or toy front end loader? I did and it was a lot fun. When I was finished I could just tip my toys upside down, whack them a couple of times on the ground to remove the dirt or sand, then pack them away in my toy box (when I remembered that is is 🙂 ). It is such a pity you cannot do that to the real ones.

Real dump trucks, front end loaders and the myriad of heavy equipment that is in use today requires a little more than just removing a little loose dirt or sand. Anyway, you cannot pick them up and empty them like a toy.

The real heavy equipment that big boys (and girls) play with need much more, they need fuel, oil, grease in the right places and working areas that require constant attention. Heavy equipment often relies on hydraulics. Hydraulics is a system where a fluid, under pressure, is used to perform certain acts. For example, to raise or a lower a bucket, hydraulics may be used. Since fluid, pressure and often flexible piping is used, these need to be inspected regularly to ensure there no leaks or problems that could cause a loss of pressure.

Digging equipment often comes fitted with teeth or tines. These need to be inspected regularly to ensure there are no breakages and that they retain some form of pointed or sharpness to enable easy digging.

Caterpillar or track vehicles need to have their tracks regularly inspected to ensure there no foreign objects such as rocks or plant material caught in them that could cause damage. The tracks themselves should also be inspected for breakages or weaknesses that could lead to breakages whilst in use.

Darn, I wish I could just pick them up and shake the dirt out like a toy. Then again, this is heavy equipment, the big boys toy.

There are many services that lay their equipment underground. Telephone, electricity, fiber optic cables, gas, and water are just a few of those services.

There are call centers that you are advised to use prior to using any heavy equipment to check on the locations of these service lines – be sure to use them.

Having said that, I urge caution on the information they provide. Some service suppliers seem to use a strange set of bearings and can be ‘off’ up to ten feet from where they tell you their service lines run. Sever one of them and they will bill you for the damages. It is up to you to prove that their information was incorrect.

In the meantime, many people may have been without that service and you will be held up on the job whilst you wait for someone to come and repair the damage. This can take hours.

A general rule of thumb, allow at least two feet on either side of their figures. To be safe, you can almost double that distance. If you have to operate your heavy equipment close to any service lines, take it slowly and carefully and get out of your machine to make close visual inspections at regular intervals.

There is nothing worse than severing a service line, particularly if it is gas. Call the service locater numbers first and take caution.

This operator advice is provided courtesy of ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools – visit us for all your heavy equipment training needs.

One of the most important aspects of operating heavy equipment is safety. Your own safety as well as the safety of others. Heavy equipment operators need to have situational awareness at all times. Your safety, the safety of your fellow employees, and the safety of the general public are all equal concerns. One slip up and you could cost thousands of lives.

Heavy equipment operators can perform all kinds of feats in all kinds of situations. Not every job will be a super dangerous mission. But there are jobs that you will attempt with your heavy equipment that border on dangerous and keeping safety in mind while you operate is an essential choice.

ATS Heavy Equipment School offers courses on equipment safety to give operators an overview of the dangers involved in heavy equipment operation and to help you make long-term decisions for your own welfare as well as the welfare of others. When you take an ATS course in heavy equipment operation safety, you can bet that you have the latest and the best information that will make you a better operator and keep the work place safe for a long time.

Every year, more than 100 people are killed, due to not being able to handle correct heavy equipment operations. This includes operating excavators, mobile cranes, backhoes, graders, loaders, tractors and bulldozers. The main cause of death:

Workers who are on foot are usually struck by heavy equipment operations. Usually, this happens when the equipment changes directions or is being loaded.

Workers who are on foot are crushed by falling loads, buckets or other parts that are moving.

Mechanics are caught in equipment, due to the brakes not being set.
Mechanics are run over, because of the equipment being left in gear or because controls are not locked out.

How can you protect yourself during heavy equipment operations?

During heavy equipment operations, your employer should only allow experienced and trained operators to use the heavy equipent. It should be noted that the operators should be trained by professionals that are qualfied and experienced. You should only buy or rent equipment that has ROPS or rollover protective structures, as well as seat belts.

Make sure that only lowboy or flatbed trucks that are made for transporting heavy equipment are used. A copy of the operating instruction manual should be available on all of the machinery. Next, make sure you identify the hazards of under ground power lines. Establish the proper guidelines and procedures for working around these. Before there is any excavation done, use a one cal system for the utility cutoffs.

Everyone should be trained on equipment hand signals. Signal persons and spotters should be trained so that they can alert the workers or operators to blind spots.

Heavy Equipment Operations Safety

For your heavy equipment operations safety, make sure that you review the shut down, safety and operating procedures in your operator’s manual before you work with any new equipment. Inspect your equipment and make sure that the controsl work every single day before beginning your work. In order to prevent slipage and falling, keep fluids and any grease off the working and walking surfaces. Use your 3 points of contact procedure when entering and exiting your heavy equipment. This should be both hands and at least 1 foot. Do not travel parallel to embankments or steep grades.

Your heavy equipment operations also should include using a seat belt. The exception to that is when you are using equipment that hs no ROPS. This is because you may have to jump clear during a possible rollover.

If your heavy equipment operations finds your equipment out of control or rolling over, do not jump out if it has an ROPS and a seat belt. Put your transmission in park and shut off your motor, and perform any other necessary shut down techniques to lock out before working around your heavy equipment.

Successful heavy equipment operations are experienced by those who always have a proper safety mentality and who follow the guidelines. Heavy equipment operations can be dangerous, if you do not follow proper procedures. When you do actually follow safe procedures, you can experience a great career in heavy equipment operations.

Today the focus is going to be on heavy equipment safety. Dangers that come with heavy equipment operations are serious. You can prevent getting dust blown in your face by wearing goggles or a mask, but there are much more serious injuries that can result from operating this kind of equipment.

The first thing you want to do is to make sure no body is standing close to you when you’re operating the equipment. Make sure to let others know that they should never get close to you without letting you know first. Next, you’ll want to avoid wearing loose clothes. Make sure you wear clothes that fit snugly and tight. Include ear protection and slip resistant footwear, along with your goggles. If you don’t have short hair, make sure you tie your hair back.

Make sure you stop the engine and make use of a stick to remove debris when you are unclogging the discharge chute of your equipment. Don’t let any part of your body come into contact with any part of the equipment that gets very hot. Also, don’t leave the equipment running unattended.

Heavy Equipment Safety for electric snowblowers and gas snow blowers

Make sure that you understand that gas snow blowers and electric snow blowers are very dangerious machines to operate. Snow blowers are created to pick up snow and then throw it. The last thing you want is for it pick up glass bottles, stones or sticks and throwing them. When you’re operating the snow blower, stick to the pavement areas or well maintained surfaces that you are sure won’t hold any of these things.

Another part of heavy equipment safety is knowing the territory very well. Make sure that you know if there are any curbs and stumps. When you’re doing the snow blowing on an incline surface, make sure that you’re clearing up and down the incline, and not clearing across.

Heavy equipment safety is a very serious issue. Hopefully, these tips have helped you to understand more about heavy equipment safety and to stay sound and safe in the future!

heavy equipment safety is something that we care a great deal about here at Associated Training Services. If you have been in and around heavy equipment for a while, chances are you will have seen a few accidents. Accidents happen, but it is our view that most accidents are entirely avoidable. Statistics tell us a great deal, but many people become so focused on them that they lose sight of the big picture. People tend to focus on the fatalities and forget that people do experience injuries that can make getting back to work difficult to do. Our training doesn’t just teach you how to use equipment, it teaches you how to use equipment safely. We want our graduates to take heavy equipment safety very seriously.

If you are already working in construction, whether or not you are an operator of heavy equipment, heavy equipment safety is something that you should have in your mind at all times. When you are working around equipment, make sure that you are doing so without putting yourself at unnecessary risk. If you are operating heavy equipment, do your best to ensure that your co-workers are working safely around your machine. There is nothing worse than being at the controls when a machine injures one of your workmates.

How can we improve heavy equipment safety around the workplace? It is easy, spread awareness about it. Most of the heavy equipment safety errors that people make have to do with saving time. Get in the mindset that it is better to be late than dead on time. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer to do things safely, but if you consider the possible consequences that come with cutting corners, it really is the only way that makes sense.

If you have any questions or comments regarding heavy equipment safety, please do not hesitate to contact us at Associated Training Services.