By Nick Warrick, Owner of All Seasons Uniforms
Working in or around heavy equipment comes with many risks. While there’s no way to eliminate the hazards of the job entirely, managers and others in leadership positions can significantly mitigate risks by using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Let’s begin with the types of personal protective equipment that all heavy equipment workers should have access to, highlighting the essential role of PPE in ensuring their safety.
The following are some of the most important ones to be aware of:
- Eye protection: Clear vision is critical on a construction site, and safety glasses protect the eyes from potentially harmful dust, dirt and debris.
- Ear protection: If you’ve ever been on a construction site — and you probably have if you’re reading this — you know how loud they can be. Selecting the right ear protection, like earmuffs or ear plugs, is crucial to reduce the risk of hearing damage from heavy machinery and other construction equipment.
- Hard hats: Hard hats are essential for heavy equipment workers to reduce their chances of sustaining a serious head injury if they fall. These hats also protect them from falling debris that could gravely injure them.
- Gloves: Gloves protect the hands from the elements, as well as abrasions that could be caused by flying debris.
- Boots: A pair of steel-toed boots will protect the feet from falling objects and save the toes, from getting crushed.
Identifying risk
The PPE listed above can play a significant role in keeping heavy equipment workers safe on the job site. What do they need protection from?
Here are some of the most frequently cited risks associated with heavy equipment operation:
Falls
Construction jobs often require employees to work at height. When most people think about falling accidents, they think of someone falling from a multi-story building. Keep in mind, though, that even falling from a moderate height can cause severe injuries, including fractures and concussions.
Collisions
Construction workers, including heavy equipment operators, can be victims of struck-by accidents. A struck-by accident involves a worker coming in contact with a moving object (this could be a vehicle, a tool, a brick, etc.) or falling onto a stationary object.
Caught-between
As the name suggests, a caught-between accident occurs when someone gets caught between two things. For example, a worker could get caught between a piece of machinery and the wall.
If they were caught pinched in the parts of a piece of moving equipment, that would also count as a caught-between accident.
Electrocution
Several issues can lead to electrocution for heavy equipment workers. For example, they could fail to identify a power line when using a crane and bucket, or they could fail to recognize and come in contact with an underground power line. They could also fall into or crash into an electrical panel or exposed wires.
Selecting the right PPE
Now that you know the basics of how to protect and promote workplace safety among your heavy equipment workers, as well as the types of PPE all employees should have access to, it’s time to discuss the process of selecting the most suitable PPE for your team.
Keep these guidelines in mind to ensure you’re choosing high-quality, properly fitting gear that your employees will wear consistently:
Review industry standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that protective equipment must be provided, used and maintained wherever it is deemed necessary. For the construction industry, specifically, this guideline includes protection for the eyes, face, head and ears.
Comfort and fit
Comfort and a proper fit are crucial to ensuring employees wear their PPE regularly. Remember there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to PPE. Make sure you invest in a variety of sizes and look for adjustable items so workers can tailor them to their specific needs.
Functionality
Personal protective equipment must also focus on functionality. For example, gloves should provide an appropriate level of grip so workers don’t have to worry about objects slipping out of their hands while they’re on the job.
Evaluate cost
Of course, the cost of PPE matters too. Keep in mind, though, that choosing the most budget-friendly pieces isn’t always the best option. Sacrificing quality for price puts employees at risk and could lead to worksite accidents, which will almost certainly be more expensive than the upfront cost of higher-quality PPE.
PPE strategies
Choosing the right PPE and making it accessible to your team is the first step to creating a safer work site. However, to see positive outcomes, you must also ensure employees regularly wear their personal protective equipment.
The following strategies can increase the likelihood that heavy equipment professionals will utilize PPE in the workplace:
Explain the importance of PPE
Start by making sure employees understand the importance of PPE. New and seasoned workers alike need instruction and reminders about the risks of their jobs and how PPE can help to minimize them.
Include workers
When workers get a say in the type of PPE they wear, they will be more likely to use it. When possible, let workers choose between a few different types and weigh in on which ones they like the best, find to be the most comfortable and functional, etc.
Lead by example
If you want your workers to wear their PPE consistently, you must lead by example. Make sure you’re wearing the proper gear whenever you’re on the jobsite so they know you truly take safety seriously.
Personal protective equipment is critical in the construction industry, especially among heavy equipment operators. Follow the tips and suggestions shared in this guide to ensure you’re choosing the correct PPE for your employees and incorporating it into the workplace effectively.
