Did you know that in Canada, 13% of all construction injuries result from people being struck by a vehicle on a job site?
Dozers, excavators, and rock trucks can cause injuries like this, but other accidents may occur if misused. Safety in the workplace is crucial; knowing the risks will help you prevent them.
Here's what you should be aware of to prevent accidents and promote safety.
Use a Spotter When Reversing
Skips on dump trucks can sometimes limit the driver's visibility. As such, reversing requires a lot of care to maintain dump truck safety, but things sometimes go to plan.
Using a spotter can help reduce the risk of collisions while reversing. They can tell drivers when the way is clear and alert them if they need to stop.
Overloading and Tipping
One of the leading heavy equipment truck hazards is tipping, which can happen when the load capacity is exceeded. This can be incredibly dangerous, so everyone needs to be aware of this risk. You should always know what a truck's load capacity is and ensure you stay below it.
Driving on Uneven Surfaces
Another thing that can cause a dump truck to tip is driving it on uneven surfaces. Dump trucks are typically designed to be used off-road as construction sites generally have a lot of rough terrains. With that in mind, slopes and loose soil can have a sizable impact on the stability of a dump truck or excavator, so that the risk can increase significantly in certain situations.
One of our most crucial safety tips is to keep your equipment on level, steady ground as much as possible. A vehicle's manufacturer can provide details on a safe operating gradient.
Driving With the Skip Tipped
This is something that every articulated rock truck operator should know, but sometimes people need to correct things, and things get forgotten. It's not unheard of for operators to drive off while the skip is tipped, and this will put the truck off balance, presenting a tipping risk.
The driver should always double-check the skip before moving off. Ensure it's completely lowered, and only tip it while the truck isn't moving.
Inexperienced Drivers
Any potential hazard will become more likely if a truck is driven by someone who needs the proper training or experience. This is true with dump trucks and other heavy machinery, such as excavators and wheel loaders.
A lack of experience can easily lead to mistakes. You should ensure that anyone operating heavy machinery on your job site is fully qualified and confident in their abilities.
Avoid Potential Hazards
Heavy machinery can always present potential hazards. It's essential to take the proper precautions to keep the risk of accident or injury a minimum. This means always ensuring careful and responsible operation.
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