A construction site is a dangerous place to work. Between falling objects, heavy equipment malfunction and multiple tasks being performed at once, there are many ways construction workers can get hurt. That’s why construction safety is important. Here are the top five construction site safety tips for heavy equipment operators and other construction workers to abide by.
- Wear personal protective equipment
The first step to being as safe as possible at a construction site is wearing the right gear. Such gear that you wear on your body is known as personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE includes hard hats, which are an item that is required to be worn by everyone at all construction sites. PPE can help minimize bodily harm in the event that something goes wrong.
- Follow OSHA rules and regulations
In addition to establishing protective equipment rules, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets forth safety regulations for construction workers to follow. These rules apply to everyone at the construction site and cover many different areas, from specific types of heavy equipment operation to more general construction safety guidelines. This includes OSHA guidelines regarding PPE.
OSHA regulations are updated from time to time to reflect best practices, so you will want to stay in the loop so as to be in compliance with the most current regulations. - Clear job site of hazards
Clearing the construction site of any hazards goes a long way toward preventing injuries. This is done by inspecting the construction site before starting work. If there are hazards that can’t be removed, such as electrical wires and trenches, you will want to provide sufficient warning to your coworkers of those hazards.
It also includes being aware of any weather conditions that might make certain tasks or operating certain equipment dangerous. Your safety and the safety of others at the work site is of the utmost importance. - Communicate with others
Construction is a team effort. Working as a team requires effective communication among everyone at the construction site. Not only is it important from an efficiency standpoint, but a safety standpoint as well. Following communication protocol will go a long way toward the prevention of construction site injuries.
- Education is key
Learning the right way to be as safe as possible at a construction site is the most important thing you can do. Heavy equipment training programs make safety a high priority. As such, safety technique tends to be a large part of the curriculum for a given program. Such programs are the best way to build a foundation of safety knowledge to use throughout your career.
Safety education typically doesn’t stop for heavy equipment operators at the end of a training program. Completing continuous training in current construction safety techniques will help you do your part in making the construction site as safe as possible.
With these tips in tow, you can make the construction site a safer place to work for yourself and your coworkers.
Learn the Safety Ropes at HEC
At Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC), you can learn the essentials of heavy equipment operation, including lattice boom and mobile crane operation. We pride ourselves on providing practical heavy equipment education (especially safety) tailored to your needs as a student.
With more than a decade of experience training heavy equipment operators, HEC offers three-week programs that are taught by instructors who have real-world experience. They are dedicated to preparing you for entry-level heavy equipment operator jobs.
Our locations are approved testing sites for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). You can test to earn your crane operation certification using the same equipment you learned your skills on.
An HEC certificate program can help prepare you for a career in an in-demand field. The number of construction equipment operator jobs is projected to increase by 10 percent through 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Learn more about HEC’s programs by visiting www.heavyequipmentcollege.edu or call us at 888-879-9492 to speak with an admissions representative.
