LECTURE 6: CONSTRUCTION HEAVY Crane Lift heavy

things.
EQUIPMENT

CONCERNED PERSONNEL
• Equipment Operator
Tower Lift beams,
• Workers on Foot
Crane pipes,
• Spotters
batches of
• Management people and supervisors
concrete
• Other construction site personnel
or other
materials
HEAVY EQUIPMENT – WHAT DO THEY DO?
to high
Dump Hauls
places.
Truck materials
Mobile Crane that
and debris
Crane moves on
away;
wheels.
delivers
Excavator Dig deeps
sand or
or Digger holes.
other
materials
to a site.
Forklift Moves
materials
around a Crawler Prevent the
site; Trucks machine
unloads from
trucks. sinking into
the
Grader Makes a
ground.
roadbed
Front-end Lift and
smooth by
Loader transport
dragging a
heavy
blade over
materials.
it.
Compactor Smoothest
Backhoe Uses a
or Roller and
Loader bucket on
compacts
the back
the road
for digging
with a
and has a
heavy
loader on
roller.
front for
Bulldozer Moves dirt, lifting.
stones, or
Cherry Lift a
other
Picker worker in a
materials.
bucket.
Concrete Mixes
Mixer water,
sand,
gravel,
and Outriggers Keep
cement to or equipment
make a Stabilizers stable so it
concrete. does not
tip over.
 • The media (depending on
CONCERN circumstances)
• Many types of mobile construction
heavy equipment are being used in a HAZARDS PRESENT IN CONSTRUCTION HEAVY
construction site doing a wide variety of EQUIPMENT OPERATION
work. Most of these machines operate • Moving parts of the equipment
within close proximity to persons on foot. • Uneven terrain
With this, many people are exposed to • Energized electrical lines
hazards associated with this equipment. • Fall
• In short, you have congested • Dust
construction sites with personnel on foot, • Overloaded equipment
and mobile machines working in the • Noise
same area at the same level. • Vibration
• Unsecured loads
PERSONS AT RISK ASIDE FROM THE OPERATOR • Improvised attachments
Persons put at risk by working around, or being • Blind Spot
near heavy equipment while it is operating.
BLIND SPOTS
NEED TO BE ON SITE ON REGULAR BASIS • Small heavy mobile equipment has small
• Signal persons, spotters/flaggers blind spots and heavy mobile
• Grade checkers, dump persons equipment have large blind spots, both
• Equipment operators can cause serious injury or death.
• Laborers, steel workers, and carpenters • The taller and wider the machine, the
• Foremen, supervisors, and other related bigger the blind spot area.
contractor staff • Operators, spotters, and workers on foot
• Surveyors, layout crews need to be aware where the blind spots
• Any other crafts and/or trades working are.
on the project or passing through the
work areas.

NEED TO BE ON SITE ON A PERIODIC BASIS

• Delivery Trucks, Service Providers
• Mechanics
• Concrete Mixers
• Garbage Haulers
• LGU/Labor Officials/Other people
independently reviewing compliance
with Laws/Restrictions
• Architects and Engineers, Inspectors,
Client’s Staff/Owner’s
Representatives/Guest/VIPs
• Engineering Service Providers: Concrete
Testing, Compaction Testing, Air
Monitoring, etc.
• Other Utility Services Providers: Phone,
Gas, Electric, Water, Sewer, Cable, etc.

NO DIRECT NEED TO BE ON SITE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKERS ON FOOT

• Pedestrians, spectators, on-lookers, and • Wearing high visibility vests or equivalent
the Just Plain Curios and other appropriate PPEs.
• Children (of all ages) • Keep a safe distance from heavy
• Job Seekers equipment.
• Joggers, bicycle riders • Know the equipment’s blind spots. Never
• Scavengers, wood collectors, junk and assume that the equipment operators
scrap collectors see you.
• Thieves, burglars, and law breakers
 • Never ride on the steps or drawbars of • Avoid underground utilities and
any equipment. overhead power lines.
• Watch out for swinging parts. • Must understand signals and always
obey the spotter.
SPOTTER RESPONSIBILITIES • Stop! When signaled; when waived
• Wearing high visibility vests or equivalent violently; or if you are in doubt.
and other appropriate PPEs. • Maintain a safe operating speed.
• Spotters should use clearly understood • Operate within the equipment’s rate
hand signals or traffic controls devices capacity.
(i.e., signs, etc.) • Report any abnormalities, defects, and
• Spotters should know operator visibility unsafe conditions. Take Machine “Out of
limitations, always remain visible to the Service” if it is unsafe to operate.
operator and be sure eye contact is • Do Not Attempt Repairs or Maintenance
made before any signals are given. that You Do Not Understand.
• Never get on or off moving equipment.
5 BASIC GUIDELINES ON HOW HEAVY EQUIPMENT Park in a safe place, apply parking
OPERATION brakes, turn off engine and remove the
When using heavy equipment, there are 5 basic key before dismounting.
guidelines that the operators must always follow • Turn the engine off before refueling.
to ensure safety:
1. Know how to properly operate the EQUIPMENT MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING
equipment you are using. • Park in an area that provides maximum
2. Do not use heavy machinery when you protection for operator and passengers,
are drowsy, intoxicated, or taking and which provides a solid landing
prescription medication that may affect during mounting and dismounting.
your performance. • When mounting or dismounting, use all
3. Use only equipment that is appropriate steps and all handholds provided.
for the work to be done. • Do not jump from equipment!
4. Inspect your equipment to ensure that it • Use the three-point-contract method.
is in good working condition before
beginning a job. In addition, ensure that KEY ELEMENTS IN HEAVY EQUIPMENT SAFETY
regular inspections and maintenance PROGRAM
are conducted as appropriate. • Management Commitment
5. Do not stress or overload your • Employee Involvement
equipment. • Pre-construction Work-Site Analysis
• Hazard Prevention and Controls
EQUIPMENT OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES • Equipment Maintenance
• Learn and follow Safe Work Practices! • Employee Awareness Training
• Review manufacturer’s operating • Periodically Review Policies and
manual. Procedures
• Conduct a pre-operational inspection of
the equipment. MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT
• Know how to operate and use safety • Promote culture of Safety and Health
features on equipment properly. • Provide fundamental site rules and
• Allow NO ONE to ride outside the cab training to all persons at risk.
for any reason! • Restrict entry onto site of non-essential
• Keep all lights, back-up alarm, seat personnel. Establish controlled entry
belts, mirrors, shield, and safety guards in points on site.
place and in good condition. • Coordinate operations of various trades
• Be aware of people foot around you working in the same areas.
and other machines operating in the • Efficient and effective procurements
area. systems.
• Know where your blind spots are and
always check the mirror on the blind EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
sides. • Attend relevant training.
 • Employees must learn, follow, and obey • A policy and procedure on authorization
safety and other established rules. of heavy equipment operators must be
• Discuss safety concerns and issues (e.g. in place. The operator must be
through Toolbox Safety Meetings or by competent, trained, and in good health.
reporting to the supervisor or safety
officer.) CONCLUSION
• Heavy equipment is powerful machines
PRE-CONSTRUCTION WORK-SITE ANALYSIS that are vital in every construction
• Identify potential known hazards (e.g., project. However, more power also
using JHA) means higher risks.
• Consider office, tool, laydown areas, • Both operators and men on foot are
storage areas. responsible in ensuring safety around this
• Whenever possible plan your site to heavy equipment.
allow for drive-through operations, to
eliminate backing-up.
• Reduce the amount of foot traffic
allowed on the jobsite.
• Establish a traffic control system using
traffic lights or spotters.

HAZARD PREVENTYION AND CONTROLS

Application of Engineering, Administrative
Controls, and use of PPEs
• Install perimeter fencing and enclosures.
• Install/post signs.
• Install temporary barricades around
hazards.
• Spotter (with appropriate PPE) provided
for in-the-blind, backing machines
and/or equipment.
• Choosing and using the appropriate
type of equipment.

PROPER EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

• Pre-operational inspection conducted
by operator.
• Maintain equipment in safe and proper
condition.
• Maintain safety features such as back-
up alarm, horn, lights, limit switches,
overload protection, and mirrors intact
and good condition.
• Cab glass or guard not cracked or
broken.
• Clean machine windows and mirrors.
• Periodic preventive maintenance as per
manufacturer recommendations.
• Prompt repair of any noted deficiencies.
• No modifications.
• Refresh labels, signs, instructions, charts,
etc.

OPERATOR AUTHORIZATION
• Operating heavy equipment is a great
responsibility. Operations is reserved only
for safe and responsible operators.