One of the biggest safety mistakes a heavy equipment operator can make is being overly-fatigued on the job. It doesn’t seem like being tired would make much of a difference, but fatigue affects your competency as much as drugs or alcohol can. Here’s part of what happens when you are tired:

• your reaction time slows down
• your thought processes get goofy
• your chance of having an injury-producing accident increases

Don’t Let Fatigue Wreck Your Future

It isn’t always fun to be the one going to bed in time to get enough sleep (7 hours at least), but it really makes a difference when you are at work the next day. Heavy equipment operators are controlling some of the most dangerous things on the job site because in a collision between the machine and the person, the machine wins every time. 

ATS instructors are very careful to get the safety procedures drilled into the minds of the students in the heavy equipment operator programs. But tired operators don’t have the ability to respond quickly when the unexpected happens, and it’s dangerous. If you are constantly tired on the job, the small mistakes you make can quickly become overwhelming and your brain isn’t able to keep up. That’s when people get hurt.

If you can mix up your job duties to make the shift less yawn-worthy, do it. Plan breaks for coffee or other caffeine drinks midway through the shift, particularly if you are working nights. All that healthy stuff like balanced diet and fluid intake, enough exercise and stress reduction, are thing that affect fatigue levels. Healthy people have more energy.

Why have there been so many construction accidents in the past few years? A recent article on Equipment World’s site by Wayne Grayson takes a look at the problem. OSHA official: Further increase in construction deaths likely; triggered by uptick in activity, less-experienced workers is a sobering assessment of safety on the jobsite.

“We recently investigated deaths at job sites in Kansas City, Missouri; Framingham, Massachusetts; Brookhaven, Georgia; Bellevue, Washington and Albuquerque, New Mexico,” said Dean McKenzie, the deputy director of OSHA’s directorate for construction. “And that was just one week.”

While this is appalling, the answer is pretty obvious to OSHA. The agency tries to make sure that employers and employees know the safety regulations and follow them so that accidents don’t happen as regularly. But those employers and employees have to be trained, and they have to respect their training. For example, the company doing the demolition of a three-and-a-half-story building in Connecticut had to be stopped before workers were injured:

“It was a brick building built in the early 1900s that they were trying to rehabilitate. The contractor had taken all the interior floor joists that tie the building together so all he had was a brick box,” McKenzie said. “Compliance officers called our engineering office to get our support on how weak this structure would really be and we shut it down until the job could be done safely.”

Imagine the operator of heavy equipment on that job, hoping that the building wouldn’t collapse on top of the work crew. Maybe he even was the guy who called in OSHA when the contractor wouldn’t listen, who knows? What we do know is that the better trained the operators of heavy equipment are, the safer everybody is. There’s a lot of dangerous stuff that happens in construction, and good training keeps it happening safely.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School works hard to make sure that our graduates are fully aware of the safety regulations and know how to operate their machine to do the job without any injuries. We want you to have a long, profitable career as a heavy equipment operator known for your expertise and safe practices.

What is the cost of not paying attention to what you are doing? Sometimes that cost isn’t much, because you are sitting in a chair at home zoning out during a commercial. But if you are sitting in the driver’s seat on the job, the price of not paying attention can be far higher than anyone wants to pay.

When a heavy equipment operator isn’t paying attention to what they are doing, bad things can happen. Most of your training at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School will have safety rules repeated over and over again. Your teachers will be discussing what can happen, talking about why that rule applies, and sharing stories of what they’ve experienced. In a lot of ways, you’ll think that safety is being talked about too much.

But there’s a reason why ATS has a reputation for training some of the best heavy equipment operators around, and that reason is the high standards of performance our graduates are taught. Part of the high standards of performance are safety standards that have been repeated so many times they become automatic.

Even if you aren’t paying attention, if safety is a habit, then you’ll be more apt to stay safe on the job. But the best idea is to pay attention to all you’ve been taught and the conditions you are working in. Paying attention to what’s going on around you, to where your machine is and your blind spots, will keep everybody safe.

Heavy equipment is too big for a mistake to be minor most of the time. Mistakes are costly, and that’s why the best heavy equipment operators pay attention to what they are doing even when it’s routine.

A factory owner once said that when he investigated workplace accidents, most of the time he was told, “I didn’t think it would do that.” His response usually was, “that’s right, you didn’t think!“

It’s easy to get accustomed to being around danger when you are working around heavy equipment and machinery. After all, most of the time things are fine, so the sense of caution begins to go away. Here’s a few of the safety rules you do have to keep thinking:

• Communication is essential – Hand signals, two-way radios, high-visibility vests and helmets, and a backup warning alarm have to be used so that everybody knows where everybody else is. In the contest between human bodies and big machines, the machine wins every time.
• Rollover protection and seat belts save lives – A lot of dead operators didn’t think it would tip and they were wrong.
• Hearing protection and other safety gear are there for a reason – You might not think it is going to make you deaf but wait a few years.
• Hold on to the safety handles when you get off the machine – Jumping off the equipment is something that the guy with the broken ankle didn’t think would happen.
• Inspecting and maintaining your equipment keeps you from mistakenly thinking everything is working fine – Do a pre-shift walk around to make sure.

These are the safety rules that get repeated over and over (along with a lot of other good information) when you get your heavy equipment operator training at ATS. It gets said in different ways at different times until you think you will never forget it. That’s the plan — we want you to know the safety procedures so well that even if you aren’t thinking, you’ll still be automatically following the rules and everybody will stay safe.

Most heavy equipment operators are going to be working outside when they are working. For many, this is exactly why they love what they do because they love being outdoors. But it also means that there’s a good chance they will be exposed to any or all of the not so healthy outdoor surroundings that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warns against:

• physical hazards like extreme hot or cold, lightning, sunburn & skin cancer, excessive noise and vibration damaging ears and body
• biological hazards like diseases from insect bites (ie. Lyme disease ), venomous bites and stings, poisonous plants
• other hazards like chemicals or job site contaminants

Hazards for heavy equipment operators are not a reason to quit. They are a reason to be wise. Every job has hazards, right? The thing is to be aware of the potential and be prepared for the reality.

Be aware of the potential hazards on your particular job site. If you know it’s going to be hot, bring enough appropriate drinks to stay hydrated and healthy. That means you can’t be chugging soft drinks all day, but having water and sports drinks in high heat scenarios would be smart. Wear sunscreen and reapply it on your break, and take the breaks in the shade. Your job site has hazards – it’s up to you to know what they are and what to do about it.

Be prepared for the reality of how your job affects your body. If you are sitting on top of a backhoe in the sun all day long, you will be sunburned and sore by the end of a sunny day. Wear eye and ear protection and adjust your seating so your body isn’t strained as you work. Look for ticks at the end of the day and report any bites. Pay attention to any safety regulations your employer asks you to follow.

Heavy equipment operators do best when they are trained and knowledgeable about the job they will be doing. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School is a good way to get ready for a career that will give you the chance to do your job outside, just where you want to be working.

Have you ever visited an antique tractor show? Some of them have exhibit barns full of big equipment from the past, and the future of safety come a long way. You’d think there’d still be blood and entrails on some of the early farm equipment. It is so dangerous! Nothing protecting the rider/operator from the moving parts — the driver’s seat is a little metal thing suspended in mid-air above gears, and the foot controls are a recipe for disaster. It’s obvious that every safety measure in the history of heavy equipment has been the result of a tragedy.

That’s the past. Today, the present safety measures almost seem like an overload to many operators, but it’s a good idea to be reminded of why they are there. Safety isn’t something that can be completely regulated because an accident happens in real-time and can’t be predicted with accuracy. That’s why ATS trains every student in classroom knowledge of safety regulations and seat time application while operating real equipment because someone who knows the possibilities can respond faster than somebody who panics at a new situation. Accidents on the job are not always operator error, but the operator who is alert and well-trained can keep the accidents from compounding.

The future of heavy equipment safety is hard to predict because technology will let manufacturers design and build machinery that makes today’s heavy equipment look as scary as those exhibit barns full of antique death traps. But one thing is sure, if you get your training at an accredited provider with National Certifications the safety training will keep up with the times. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School has the experience from our past, the National Certifications right now for your training needs, and the commitment to maintain our high standards of training operators who know how to do the job safely in the future.

Accidents happen in every job and being an heavy equipment operator is a big responsibility because the machines are big. The size and weight of all the metal, along with moving parts, changing ground conditions on the site, and people not paying attention all add up to a potential for accidents you don’t find at a desk job. But without the skill of heavy equipment operators, very little would get done in a lot of industries. Here’s a short list of possibilities:

1. People moving through the work area. 
2. Unstable ground conditions causing tipping.
3. Overhead obstructions, like tree limbs or power lines.
4. Operator doesn’t have a sense of where the machine’s parts are, so blades or corners collide with things or people.
5. Poor maintenance causing equipment failure or hazardous conditions like a greasy step.

This list isn’t the only reason accidents happen, it’s just some of the most common reasons that accidents happen around heavy equipment. The operator can reduce the chance for an accident simply by paying attention to the safety procedures that were a part of the training in an accredited school. It’s one thing to have been trained to do the job safely, but if you aren’t going to actually do the job safely, you are asking for trouble.

Employers look for accreditation in the training of heavy equipment operators because it gives them an idea of the quality of the training. Associated Training Services (ATS) is proud to be an Accredited Sponsor through the National Center for Construction Education & Research. We even helped them develop training programs and textbooks. ATS is also licensed by the boards of education in six states and certified for funding assistance programs like the Workforce Investment Act and military benefits.

If you are interested in showing an employer credentials from one of the top heavy equipment training schools in the country, our online application is a good place to start.

“Slow down to go fast” is a wise statement used in a lot of different settings. Pretty much, it means that trying to go fast usually messes things up. In a field like heavy equipment, “slow down to go fast” is a good thing to keep saying over and over again.

During training, slowing down to do every day’s classwork and not worry about the next is a good idea because it breaks a huge pile of information into bite-size pieces, kind of like eating an elephant one bite at a time. It isn’t your job to worry about knowing the whole thing when you are in training. It’s your job to chew on the day’s lessons and digest them. That’s why ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School offers housing assistance, so you don’t have to worry about anything but classes. Experts have figured out that we learn best when we get a little bit of a break in between stuffing our heads with knowledge. Somehow, the break puts the facts into our heads better.

When you are actually on the machine, slowing down is good, too. Accidents happen when people get impatient and skip safety steps or push equipment past where it is ready to go. Jerky bursts of angry speed are out of control emotionally and can quickly become out of control on the work site because the momentum of heavy equipment keeps a motion going until something physically stops it. Bad stuff can happen quickly if an operator in a hurry misses an important detail in the conditions on site. By the end of the day, a steady, slower pace actually gets more work done. The work is better, too.

Slowing down to go fast is one of the things you learn in heavy equipment operator training. It’s a good thing to remember all through life.

This has been a weird winter so far. Many parts of the country are dealing with more snow than they are prepared for, and the fact is that everyone relies on heavy equipment operators to get things moving again. Hazardous conditions challenge operator skills because you have to add an extra level of attention to a job you are already familiar with.

Check your machinery frequently. Drastic changes in temperature, like hot liquid gushing through freezing cold pipes and lines, cause stress from sudden expansion. It’s not unusual for breakdowns to occur. Maintenance is vital this time of year. If your equipment is out all the time, this is especially important.

Pay attention to your mirrors and windows — you need to see your surroundings in order to react fast. Slippery conditions mean longer stop times. If you are lucky enough to be in a climate-controlled cab, it’s easy to forget the way the weather has affected your job. A lot of operators get hurt after they stop the engine and start to get out…that first step can be icy, and if you aren’t holding on, your feet can go out from underneath you quick.

The biggest difference between a heavy equipment operator and a professional, expert heavy equipment operator is their attitude about training. The best in the business respect their training, remember their training, and apply what they know to their job every day. Good training has included safety procedures, including those for hazardous winter conditions.

Winter can challenge operator skills, but being well-trained prepares you for it. ATS Heavy Equipment Operation Programs will get you there.

Safety starts NOW! Heavy equipment safety is now one of the most important issues in any workplace. So much so that special regulations are in place that are designed to force employers into ensuring that workplaces are safe. As a heavy equipment operator, you have an important role in this area. However, that safety starts with you personally, before you even start your heavy equipment’s engine.

As a heavy equipment operator, you will be required to follow certain regulations. Some of these regulations will be determined by the actual workplace. For example, on many construction sites, the general rule for all employees may be steel capped boots, work gloves, hard hats, and ear and eye protection – if you don’t comply you could be suspended and sent home until you are ‘work safe’. Continue to ignore the regulations and you will lose your job. On some sites there is a zero tolerance – you’ll lose your job immediately if you have blatantly ignored the regulations.

Other sites may be a little more relaxed, however, the more protection you have, the safer you are going to be. Remember, problems such as ear damage could take decades to show through, and by then it’s too late as the damage is permanent. It’s not just the safety equipment required. There are other safety issues that you need to learn to the point they become a habit. The ‘three points of contact’ rule is a good example. When boarding and leaving your heavy equipment, three points of contact (two feet and a hand, or two hands and a foot) will help to ensure you don’t slip and fall.

Some regulations may seem silly or pointless, however, they have been put in place for a reason, and that reason is to protect you. Other regulations are in place to ensure you don’t harm others or do damage to property. Follow the rules and you will help to ensure a safe workplace, or at least a safe workplace when it comes to your actions. One of the focuses of heavy equipment operator training is safety – not just because it’s a requirement but because it could prevent your, or someone else’s, death.