10 Safety Tips for Operating Heavy Equipment

Loaders, excavators, forklifts, skid steers, and other construction equipment perform the tasks that human force alone can’t accomplish. These machines are powerful and indispensable to the construction projects our clients undertake in the Edmonton area. W.R. Scott Equipment Ltd. is proud to offer these mechanical marvels—for rent or purchase—to crews in Alberta. But we know that caution is the key to completing projects safely. Here are some of the top safety tips to keep in mind when operating or overseeing the use of heavy-duty construction equipment.

1. sales, parts, and repairs to crews in the Edmonton area since 1967, W.R. Scott Equipment Ltd. has provided heavy equipment operators should be fully trained—either onsite or via a reputed certification program—before using the equipment. Such knowledge ensures appropriate handling and thereby safety.
2. Operators need to wear protective gear (steel-tip boots, safety goggles, hardhats, visibility vests, etc.) In the case of a mishap, the risk of injury is lessened.
3. Equipment should only be used for its intended purpose at its specified capacity and not beyond. This can prevent mechanical mishaps that lead to accidents and injuries.
4. Operators should always wear seatbelts. In the event equipment rolls over, this practice could potentially save a life.
5. Construction equipment must regularly be inspected. Defective equipment is potentially hazardous. Rentals from W.R. Scott Equipment are inspected regularly; however, it is always a good idea and great practice to do regular checks when the equipment is in your possession.
6. Visibility for operators is always a priority. Windshields and mirrors should be kept clean.
7. Mounting and dismounting equipment must habitually be done with caution. The three-point rule—two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet on the equipment—when getting on and off is considered best practice.
8. Before starting equipment, operators should familiarize themselves with obstacles. Both overhead (utility wires, tree branches, etc.) and underfoot hindrances (holes, stones, underground cables, etc.) should be sussed out and accounted for.
9. Hand signals should be clearly established. Not all operations require someone on the ground, but those that do should be set up well in advance. Clear and recognizable hand signals are key to keeping both laborers and operators safe.
10. Heavy equipment should always be parked on level ground. This practice can help prevent equipment from tipping or rolling over. This especially holds true when vehicles are being loaded and unloaded.

Start With Quality Equipment

Since 1967, W.R. Scott Equipment Ltd. has provided construction equipment rentals, sales, parts, and repairs to crews in Edmonton and other nearby areas. Contact us today with any questions or to get a quote on equipment or a repair.