Earth moving machines are used for large excavation work and they need to be handled very carefully. Even a small mistake can lead to a catastrophe and cost the lives of workers on site. There are many earth moving companies in Australia and they take safety and security issues very seriously to avoid accidents. They hire only professionals who have years of experience in this field and provide all the necessary safety accessories to their staff to ensure their well-being. If you have just started providing earth moving service in Brisbane, here are some safety tips for you. Read them carefully and follow the suggestions because while it is important to meet deadlines, you also wouldn’t want to work carelessly and lose anyone’s life.
Site preparation tips
Before you start the earth moving machine, it’s very important to make the site secure for work. Housing projects often require excavation service and such projects are mainly done in heavily populated areas. If someone suddenly enters the site, casualties can happen anytime. Therefore, you should do the following.
· Use fences to secure the area so that debris don’t affect people outside the site.
· Post warning signs and make sure the message is written in bold and red color so that nobody misses them.
· Control the traffic for the safety of citizens.
· Provide flashing lights and flags to the drivers of other smaller vehicles so that the driver of the large earth moving machine can notice them when they move inside the project area and doesn’t hit anyone accidentally.
· People supervising the dumping operations must be equipped with helmets and communication tools such as walkie-talkie.
Preparation for safe operations
Once the site is made secure and people are ready to do their job, the technician should inspect the earthmoving vehicle carefully before starting the excavation work.
· Check thoroughly to make sure there is no damage on the plates or the welds.
· Make sure the level of fluid in power steering, brake, engine coolant, transmission and hydraulic system is as it should be.
· Check the plugs and filler caps to make sure there is no sign of leak.
· Before you start excavating in full speed, trial run all the major functions of the earth-moving machine. Forward and reverse the vehicle a couple of times, hit the brake, try to move from one side to another fast using the steering. If you can perform these actions without any issue, there is nothing to worry.
· If the machine needs to operate on inclined road, you must take precautions so that it does not turn over suddenly. Ask the driver to wear seat belts at all times.
· In case the condition is unsafe and you can’t find a solution immediately, halt the work and notify your higher authorities.
Tips for safety during operation
When you start excavating work, make sure the following security measures are taken.
· Walk around the vehicle to make sure there are no obstructions whatsoever and nobody is standing on the machine’s driving path.
· Start the engine and check its warning lights, gauges, instruments and all necessary controls. Pay attention if you hear any abnormal noise, feel a vibration while driving or get any foul smell. These things indicate that something is wrong with your excavatormachine.
· Operate the machine slowly and increase the pace gradually, only if necessary.
· During excavation work, dust is a major issue for the driver. You can wear a mask to prevent any breathing problem. Make sure there is enough open area around the site so that natural ventilation can keep things in control. If the driver’s seat is enclosed by glass, check its ventilation process as well, because if you work for 3-4 hours continuously, the amount of carbon-DI-oxide in an enclosed cabin can cause health problems.
· If you are working on slopes, avoid sidehill driving. The vehicle can slide or flip anytime.
· Always wear the seat belt.
· Use the right gear while ascending or descending a slope.
· Don’t work during rainy weather because the ground becomes slippery and the chances of accidents increase.
· Never leave the machine unattended when the engine is on.
Maintenance tips
· While refueling, keep the engine off.
· If the vehicle is under repair, post an “under repair” sign and remove the key.
Parking
· Hit the parking brake and lower the attachments used during excavation.
· Park the machine on a flat surface and make sure there are enough lights around it so that during the night, other workers can see where the giant machine is parked and stay away from it.
If you follow the aforementioned tips, your earthmoving Brisbane company will be able to provide professional services to your clients effortlessly. Both your employees and common citizens will be safe.
