Heavy Equipment Safety

Our today’s topic is Heavy Equipment Safety. we will cover defination hazards, safety precautions & type of heavy equipment.

Definition of heavy Equipment :

Heavy equipment refers to heavy-duty vehicles, specially designed for executing construction tasks, most frequently ones involving earthwork operations or other large construction tasks.

Hazards of Heavy Equipment:

1. Fire
2. Crushing or rollover
3. Falling into excavation

General safety requirements of Heavy Equipment as per KNPC standards:

• Approved spark arrest (USDA marking) should be installed USDA marking.
• Safety certificate validity 3 months but for new equipment it must be 6 month.
• 2 numbers of Fire extinguishers
• Third-party certificate for crane/boom truck/forklifts and Calibration certificate for PSV of air compressor.
• The hot work permit should be available.
• Kuwait construction licensed with third party certified for crane/boom truck/forklift.
• Equipment cabin shall be free from a blind spot.
• Trained signalman with flags.
• 5*Deapth distance shall be maintained from the edge of excavation.
• Don’t allow anyone underneath the boom of equipment.
• Prevent usage of any loose cloth be operators which may entangle with control lever of the equipment.
• Ensure usage of rearview and side-view mirrors.
• Hydro test certificate of air receiving drum of air compressor if validity exceeds 5 years
• Weep lash arrest for air compressor hoses and Chicago coupling.
• Approved air supply hose with hydro test certificate.
• While refueling at the site, switch off the engine and ensure no hot work within 15-meter radius.
• Bonding and grounding need to be done before refueling.
• A separate permit shall be take for the refueling of equipment.
• For compactors check the on/off switch should be functioned properly.
• There should not be any leakage.
• Employee shall wear ear muff while using compactor.

Types of heavy equipment used in a construction site:

1. Loader
2. Grader
3. Excavator
4. Concrete mixer
5. crane and boom trucks/dump trucks
6. forklift
7. JCB/wheel loader
8. Bobcat/compact loader
9. Air compressor
10. Plate/Jaw/roller compactor