Sooner or later you will work at or visit a construction site. Whether you are a utility worker, inspector, manager, or supervisor, a construction site may be the most hazardous environment in which you will ever work. Hazards include:
- Heavy equipment
- High traffic areas, and
- Flying debris
Heavy Equipment Movement
On construction sites of all sizes, you may find backhoes, front-end loaders, dump trucks, or other large equipment. The best way to prevent injuries from heavy equipment is to keep your distance. However, that is not always possible. When you can’t keep a safe distance, remember a few simple rules:
- Make eye contact
- Listen for backup alarms, and
- Watch out for pinch points and dump trucks
- When approaching heavy equipment, eye contact with the driver or operator is vital
When you make eye contact with drivers or operators, you make sure they know you are there. Sometimes it is necessary to make eye contact in the driver’s mirror. Remember, if you can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see you.
Be sure that the backup alarm on each piece of equipment works. Many workers have been killed by equipment that is backing up. Do not disconnect backup alarms. Always listen for backup alarm warnings.
Pinch points are found near the boom or cab of rubber-tired backhoes. Do not approach the equipment at its pinch point. Instead, let the backhoe operator know you are going to approach, and stand near the equipment’s cab door as you talk. On excavator-type backhoes, pinch points are found near the rear. Avoid getting between the counterweight of excavation backhoes when walking around mailboxes, power poles, or other fixed objects.
Stay away from dump trucks being loaded by backhoes. Rocks or clumps of dirt that are stuck in the teeth of the truck’s bucket could fall or rocks could roll out of the truck. Always have an escape route in mind when working around heavy equipment.
Traffic Movement
On most construction sites, every precaution is taken to move traffic safely around the site. However, it takes only one mistake to cause an accident. Mark your work area with plenty of cones, signs, and flashing arrows. If possible, park a vehicle between you and the rest of the construction site. As an added precaution, point the wheels in the direction you want the vehicle to go if it is struck.
Make one person responsible for maintaining traffic control devices. Truck drivers who move in and out of the site regularly are the best candidates.
Finally, make eye contact with the driver of any vehicle whose path you must cross.