PREVENTING EQUIPMENT DAMAGE

The goal of operating safely is first to protect life and secondary is to protect property. The construction industry can not only be hazardous to workers, but equipment damage incidents can be frequent and costly.

Anytime there is equipment damage not only is there an associated cost, but there is also the chance for injury for the operators or ground personnel in the area.

Common Examples of Heavy Equipment Damage

• Broken windshields/ windows

• Damaged tires

• Damaged hoses/ lines

• Damaged tailgates

• Dings/ dents

Causes of Equipment Damage

There are a multitude of ways and reasons why heavy equipment is damaged on a construction site. While wear and tear is normal over time, many of the mentioned types of incidents above are fully preventable.

Consider the best practices below to prevent damage to heavy equipment at your worksite.

Best Practices to Prevent Equipment Damage

1. Operate heavy equipment within its design limits. Pushing the equipment past its limits leaves you at risk for injury as well as likely damaging the equipment. If someone is not trained for a specific piece of equipment or do not feel comfortable with a task, it may be best for them to stop work and talk to a supervisor.

2. Don’t act without giving careful thought. Many incidents occur when completing a task outside of normal operation or during an emergency.

3. Involve the right personnel. Anytime there is an issue with a task or the equipment itself, it may be best to stop work and get the right personnel involved. Someone taking the few minutes to reevaluate a work task or to inspect the equipment can make the difference in an incident occurring or not.