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Equipment Safety Does More Than Save Lives It Affects Your Bottom Line

Construction Equipment Safety Does More Than Save Lives, It Affects Your Bottom Line

Construction Equipment Safety Does More Than Save Lives, It Affects Your Bottom Line

No part of a jobsite plan is more important than construction equipment safety. That’s because the best insurance against accidents is prevention, especially in an inherently dangerous industry such as construction. As a dealership, you can help your customers emphasize safety-consciousness, with timely reminders and tips that protect machines and humans and boost their bottom line.

Why Telematics Technology Historical Data Is A Key Component Of Equipment Warranties & How It Benefits You-02Construction equipment safety starts with the equipment itself.

Regular inspections and maintenance are standard recommendations for a reason: if something breaks or otherwise fails, it can start a perilous chain reaction of damage and injury. The hydraulics on a piece of equipment typically run at more than 4,000 psi, whereas by comparison, a power washer with an output of 2,000 psi can cut a brick in half.

Equipment is now built safer than ever:

  • Rough-surfaced steps and walking surfaces help prevent slipping, seatbelts and roll-over cages protect operators.
  • Cabs assure greater visibility with larger windows and back-up cameras, so operators can see their work area and broader surroundings.
  • Cabs are more comfortable, with ergonomic design and personal amenities such as cup holders that help reduce operator fatigue. Fatigue causes accidents.
  • Telematics now prevalent in new machines provide a wealth of information to help maintain service schedules and identify potential problems before they turn into accidents or expensive repairs.

People have to make safety a habit.

Hard-hat4_sizedSimple measures such as keeping work boots and steps clean help prevent slipping when climbing on and off equipment. And speaking of getting on and off, operators who always practice the “three points of contact” method for access and egress are far less likely to fall and injure themselves. It’s easier to focus on personal accident prevention when operators feel confident their equipment is operating safely.

Taking personal responsibility extends to day-to-day construction equipment safety measures only humans can take. The single most powerful of these is the walk-around inspection. Industry experts recommend you do this at the beginning of each shift, or at the beginning and end of a single day-shift. The few minutes spent on this could ultimately save lives, not to mention the frustration and expense associated with equipment downtime.

checklist[1]The only surefire way to avoid overlooking something during a walk-around is to use a checklist. As a dealership, you know that OEMs sometimes provide a generic list for their equipment. But you can help customers develop a more detailed checklist specific to their fleet. Trucks require a pre-operation inspection, too.

Some inspection points are the same regardless of machine type, other points are specific to each type of equipment and perhaps even the model. In general, a complete walk-around should include checking:

  • The cab interior and exterior.
  • Tires, for wear and inflation. A tire that is even slightly underinflated can cause a machine to tip.
  • Track systems and other moving parts.
  • Working hydraulics.
  • Daily maintenance items, such as adjusting levels of all fluids and replacing dirty filters.
  • Hoses for leaks, cracks or loose fittings.
  • Windows and mirrors, for both damage and dirt that obscure visibility.
  • Warning lights and audible alert systems.

The entire machine should be checked for loose parts, including electrical wiring, shields and guards. Attachments that will come into play during the day should be inspected, too.

Construction Industry Employment Rate Has Increased Over the Past YearAccident prevention is good business.

Human injuries and equipment downtime cost your customers in multiple ways, including unnecessary or premature repairs and rising insurance premiums. These costs make it harder to bid jobs competitively or turn a profit. And recurring on-the-job problems can give your customer a less-than-desirable reputation.

Promoting construction equipment safety rewards them with bottom-line benefits that range from higher job satisfaction among their crew to greater productivity.

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