Whether you’re moving your heavy equipment to a new location or just shifting it around the yard, there are several ways to ensure efficiency and safety.
First, you should always hire a trained and skilled heavy equipment operator to do the job. That person will be in charge of overseeing the use of that equipment and making sure everyone on your site stays safe.
Plan Ahead
Whether transporting large equipment to a new job site or moving heavy machinery around your current business, you need to ensure the process is efficient and safe. Accidents can happen at any step of the process, causing injuries ranging from minor sprains to fatal wounds.
One of the best ways to ensure safety is to plan ahead. Detailed plans ensure that everyone on the team knows their duties before, during, and after heavy equipment moves.
It’s also important to know what permits you may need and how long it will take to get the machinery from point A to B. A detailed plan will also help you determine how many people should be on the site and when they can be there.
Another crucial component of safety is communication. Ensure that all workers know when a vehicle is occupied and in operation and use spotters to keep the area clear of anyone else who could end up hurt by an equipment accident.
When you’re transporting a heavy piece of machinery, it’s vital that the driver has adequate visibility. This is especially important for a front-end loader or other type of machine with less-than-perfect sightlines to the rear of the trailer.
In addition, the truck must be in good condition. Check its engine, brakes, fluid levels, and tires.
Inspecting your equipment before it is transported can make the entire process more efficient and safer. It can also help you avoid costly damages if the truck or machinery is damaged while in transit. The inspection can also help you identify any potential safety issues you might need to address before moving.
2. Make Sure the Truck Is Ready
If you’re in charge of a large move that requires heavy equipment, there are a few things you need to do to ensure it goes smoothly and safely. A lack of proper planning can lead to accidents that cause injuries and loss of equipment.
Before you start moving, you need to get your truck ready. This involves a complete check of all the safety features, such as lights, brakes, and horns. If possible, you should also ensure that all your axles are in working order and that your hydraulic hoses are secure.
Once you’re sure that the truck is in good shape, it’s time to plan your route. This will help you avoid problems that may arise, such as low-hanging bridges or areas of road construction. You should also designate a driver who will be in charge of driving your vehicle to its destination.
You should also be sure that all of your employees are trained on how to operate the equipment. This includes mounting and dismounting it properly.
This is especially important when it comes to heavy machinery since there are many risks involved in this type of transportation. Mounting and dismounting equipment improperly can result in injury or even death.
Another way to keep your team safe is to ensure that they are wearing personal protective gear, such as gloves, hats, long sleeve shirts and pants, boots, and ear protection. This will help protect them from various hazards, including dust and contaminants.
You should also ensure that you have a spotter to guide your employees from a safe and visible location. This will also help to ensure that they are not in the blind spots of your equipment, which can lead to injury or damage.
3. Make Sure Your Equipment Is Safe
There are many things to consider when you’re moving heavy equipment. It’s important to have a plan to ensure that your operation goes smoothly and that the heavy machinery is safe for everyone on-site.
The first thing you need to do is make sure your employees are certified and trained to operate the equipment they’re using. This will prevent any accidents from occurring and will keep your workers safe from harm while they are working.
Another important step is to ensure all your equipment is in good condition. Taking care of heavy equipment can help to extend its life and decrease the need for expensive repairs and replacements.
Before you start moving, ensure all your equipment has a good owner’s manual that includes safety procedures, braking and maintenance procedures, and other important information. It should also include special permits for moving heavy equipment in your area.
One of the most common causes of workplace injuries is a fall from a piece of heavy equipment. This can happen for a number of reasons, including an operator’s blind spot or a load that falls on top of them.
It can also occur if the operator doesn’t follow proper dismounting and braking procedures. They should maintain three points of contact on the equipment when they get on and off it.
The operator should also shut off, park, and release the pressure from the hydraulic controls before leaving the machine’s cab. They should also avoid jumping to dismount the machine.
4. Make Sure Your Workers Are Trained
Whether your job requires workers to load and unload heavy equipment, move it around the job site, or transport it from one place to another, your crew must be fully trained and safe when operating machinery. Not following these safety precautions can lead to serious accidents and injuries and even endanger your employees’ lives.
To help reduce this risk, it is important to ensure your workers are properly trained before they begin working on the construction site. This includes teaching them the proper way to operate all types of equipment. Depending on your company’s guidelines, this can be done through on-the-job or in-class training.
This type of training should include hazard identification, safety features, and equipment maneuvering. It should also cover how to communicate effectively with other operators on the job site.
For example, operators should be able to maintain three points of contact when climbing or dismounting a piece of equipment. This means they should use two hands and one foot to safely mount or dismount the machine (learn more about three-point contact in this Safety Moment).
When moving heavy equipment from one place to another, it is essential to follow all the rules of the road. For instance, when loading or unloading a truck or trailer, you should follow lock-out/tag-out procedures and use chocks to prevent the vehicle from rolling over.
In addition, you should also make sure to have someone act as a spotter so that people don’t get injured by the moving machinery. This can help keep everyone safe during the moving process and increase efficiency on the job site.
Keeping your workers and the rest of your crew safe during the moving process will ensure the entire project goes smoothly. This will help you avoid delays and accidents that can cost your business money and damage your reputation.
5. Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment
The right equipment and supplies can help you maximize efficiency and safety in moving heavy equipment. It can also help you save time and money on materials and labor costs.
The best way to ensure you have the right equipment is to start by getting your employees the training they need to operate the equipment effectively. It’s important to ensure your employees understand how to use the machine, what to do in an emergency, and the proper safety precautions they should take when operating it.
A good way to do this is by offering your equipment operators biweekly or monthly safety training sessions. This will help them stay current on the latest industry best practices and ensure they’re always working safely.
Another way to minimize the risk of accidents when moving heavy equipment is by developing a preventative maintenance plan for your machinery. This will help you avoid costly repairs, unexpected downtime and even extend the life of your equipment.
You can find out more about preventative maintenance in the manufacturer’s manual for your machine, which will provide a list of recommended services and parts. It will also tell you how to visually inspect your machinery and report any issues to the appropriate personnel.
To make the process of moving your heavy equipment as safe as possible, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all the steps to be taken before, during, and after the move. This includes disconnecting batteries, securing loose parts, emptying engine fluids, and more.
Finally, it’s important to ensure you get all the permits you need to transport your equipment. This will ensure you don’t get in trouble with law enforcement or face a fine or other legal complications.
