Construction Occupational Safety and Health

Heavy Equipment Safety

8/10/2020
 What is Heavy Equipment?
Any machine w/ engine or electric
motor as prime mover;

Used either for lifting, excavating, leveling, drilling,

compacting, transporting & breaking works in
construction site;

Such as but not limited to crane, bulldozer, backhoe,

grader, road compactor, prime mover & trailer, w/ min.
operating weight & horsepower rating of 1,000 Kg. & 10
HP. respectively.
 WHAT ARE THESE
CONSTRUTION HEAVY
EQUIPMENT?

8/10/2020 Occupational Safety and Health 3

HEAVY EQUIPMENT – WHAT DO THEY DO?

Crane Lifts heavy things

Tower Crane Lifts beams, pipes,

batches of concrete or
other materials to high
places

Mobile Crane Crane that moves on

wheels

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 BULLDOZER
Machinery for leveling, earth
moving & clearing.

MOTOR GRADER

Leveling aggregates, grading

wide expanses, roads, preparing
roadbeds for the laying of
pavement.
 EXCAVATOR
Used for excavation & loading work
by an extendible working device &
rotating function, while the main body
of the machine itself generally
remains stationary.

WHEEL LOADER

Used for scooping & loading

excavated dirt & rocks, & can also be
used for carrying loads for short
distances.
COMPACTOR W/ SHEEP FOOT ATTACHMENT
Used for compacting work such as roads, road fills, river dikes, dams, &
foundations.
DUMPTRUCKS
Used for hauling excavated dirt & rocks.
 Government Requirement

DOLE Order #13:

Section 10: Safety on Construction Heavy Equipment

10.1.b: All heavy equipment must be tested & certified by DOLE

prior to commissioning

10.2.4.a: Only duly certified operator shall be allowed to operate

 Accidents by Causes

Poor techniques (insufficient training) - 35%

Insufficient guiding & signaling - 14.1%
Improper use (not for the designated purpose) – 11.3%
Insufficient measures to keep out
the hazardous area - 7.6%

Management faults - 5.8%

Insufficient inspection & maintenance - 4.7%
Others - 21.5%
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A VERY SAD STORY
TREE
OPERATOR
(Victim # 1)
EXCAVATOR
Fig 1: Excavator parked Fig 2: While the operator was
by the operator 4 inches exiting the cab, the excavator
from a tree. turned towards the tree and
pinned and crushed the
operator against the tree.
SPVR
(Victim # 2)
Fig 3: The supervisor reached
into the cab and pushed control
to release the victim, the
excavator turned the other way
and also pinned the supervisor
against the tree.
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 ALL OF THESE
THINGS MAY
HAPPEN AT YOUR
SITE!
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Why is SAFETY important to YOU?

3 BIG REASONS:

•ACCIDENTS DISABLE AND KILL

•ACCIDENTS COST

•ACCIDENTS CAN BE AVOIDED

Measures to Secure SAFETY in
Using Construction Machinery

A) Full Understanding of Machine

Conditions and Maintenance

B) Safe Operations

C) Safety Management
at Work Sites
A) Understanding of Machine Conditions and Maintenance

A.1) General Procedures

•Do not perform any work on a machine unless you are authorized and
qualified to do so.

•Read the manufacturer’s service and operator’s manuals.

•Attach a DO NOT OPERATE tag or similar warning tag before performing
maintenance.
A.2) Prepare Yourself
•Wear all the protective clothing the
job requires.

•Safety glasses, goggles or a face

shield are always needed for eye
protection.

•Wear gloves and safety shoes

when handling wooden blocks,
wire rope or sharp-edged metal.
 A.3) Daily Checks Before the •Brakes and clutches
Start of Operations
•Safety devices

•Fuel and engine oil

•Water

•Air tanks

•Operator’s cab

•Gauges and other

controls

Daily inspections are conducted mainly by operators.

B) Safe Operations
B.1) Conforming Safety BEFORE Work
TESDA
Operations by qualified personnel Certified
B.2) Wearing safe clothing and protective equipment
•Hard hat
•Safety shoes
•Safety glasses, goggles or
face shield
•Gloves
•Hearing protection
•Reflective clothing
•Respirator or filter mask
B.3) Knowing the working area

•Location of slopes
•Open trenches
•Drop-offs or overhangs
•Soil conditions
•Rocks and stumps
•Exact location of any buried
and/or overhead electrical, gas,
telephone, water, sewer, or other
utilities.
B.4) Meeting with others involved to organize work arrangements

B.5) Precautions in getting in and out of machines

•Maintain a 3 point contact.

•Face the machine when either mounting or dismounting.
•Never jump on or off the machine.
B.6) Conforming Safety AFTER Work
* Filling fuel tank

•Stop the engine

•Do not refuel near open fires
•No smoking
•Conduct tank-filling operations
outdoors
•Ensure No spill, if you do Clean it
Up
•Use approved container

B.7) Parking places

•Park on flat surfaces that offer a solid
foundation.
•Do not park at a site where mudslides
may occur.
•Lower the bucket to the ground.
B.8) Precautions in leaving the operator’s cab
•Stop the machine.
•Lower the working device to the ground.
•Discharge any remaining pressure.
•Move operating levers to neutral.
•Stop the engine and remove the ignition key.
•Lock the door.

Remember, it's your heavy equipment. Never let unauthorized personnel use it, and always
remove the key when you have to leave your heavy equipment unattended.
C) Safety Management
at Work Sites

C.1) Organization for safety management

•Appointment of Safety Officer for
every ten (10) heavy equipment at
construction sites.
•Appointment of Safety Officer for
every ten (10) heavy equipment at
construction sites.
C.2) Work qualifications
and education

• Skills training courses

• Safety and health education

 PERSONS AT RISK ASIDE FROM THE OPERATOR
PERSONS PUT AT RISK BY WORKING AROUND, OR BEING NEAR, HEAVY EQUIPMENT WHILE IT
IS OPERATING

• NEED TO BE ON SITE ON REGULAR BASIS

– Signal persons, spotters/flaggers

– Grade checkers, dump persons
– Equipment operators.
– Laborers, steel workers and carpenters.
– Foremen, supervisors, and other related contractor staff.
– Surveyors, layout crews.
– Any other crafts and/or trades working on the project, or passing
through the work areas.
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 PERSONS AT RISK ASIDE FROM THE OPERATOR
PERSONS PUT AT RISK BY WORKING AROUND, OR BEING NEAR, HEAVY EQUIPMENT WHILE IT
IS OPERATING

• NEED TO BE ON SITE ON A PERIODIC BASIS

– Delivery Trucks, Service Providers
– Mechanics
– Concrete Mixers
– Garbage haulers
– LGU/Labor Officials/Other people independently reviewing compliance
with Laws/Restrictions
– Architects and Engineers, Inspectors, Client’s Staff/Owner’s
Reps./Guests/VIPs
– Engineering Service Providers: Concrete Testing, Compaction Testing, Air
Monitoring, etc
– Other Utility Service Providers: Phone, Gas, Electric, Water, Sewer,
Cable, etc.
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 HAZARDS PRESENT IN CONSTRUCTION HEAVY
EQUIPMENT OPERATION
• Moving parts of the equipment
• Uneven terrain
• Energized electrical lines
• Fall
• Dust
• Overloaded equipment
• Noise
• Vibration
• Unsecured loads
• Improvised attachments
• Blind spot.
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 BLIND SPOTS

• Small heavy mobile equipment have small blind spots and heavy
mobile equipment have large blind spots, both can cause
serious injury or death
• The taller and wider the machine, the bigger the blind spot area
• Operators, spotters and workers on foot need to be aware were
the blind spots are.

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BLIND SPOTS – DUMP TRUCK

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BLIND SPOTS - BULLDOZER

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BLIND SPOTS – LIFTER

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BLIND SPOTS-GRADER

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BLIND SPOTS - BACKHOE

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BLIND SPOTS – SKID STEER LOADER

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BLIND SPOTS – SCISSOR LIFT

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BLIND SPOTS-LOADER

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 RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKERS ON FOOT

• Wearing of high visibility vests or equivalent and other

appropriate PPE’s.
• Keep a safe distance from heavy equipments
• Know the equipment’s blind spots. Never assume that the
equipment operator sees you
• Never ride on the steps or drawbars of any equipment.
• Watch out for swinging parts.

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 SPOTTER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Wearing of high visibility vests or equivalent and

other appropriate PPE’s.
• Spotters should use clearly understood hand
signals or traffic control devices , (i.e. signs, etc.)
• Spotters should know operator visibility
limitations, always remain visible to the
operator and be sure eye contact is made
before any signals are given.

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5 BASIC GUIDELINES ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION

• When using heavy equipment, there are 5 basic guidelines that

the operators must always follow to ensure safety:
1. Know how to properly operate the equipment you are using
2. Do not use heavy machinery when you are drowsy, intoxicated, or taking
prescription medication that may affect your performance
3. Use only equipment that is appropriate for the work to be done
4. Inspect your equipment to ensure that it is in good working condition
before beginning a job. In addition, ensure that regular inspections and
maintenance are conducted as appropriate
5. Do not stress or overload your equipment.

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 EQUIPMENT OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a safe operating speed.

• Operate within the equipment’s rated capacity.
• Report any abnormalities, defects and unsafe condition. Take
Machine “Out of Service”, if it is unsafe to operate
• Do Not Attempt Repairs or Maintenance that You Do Not
Understand
• Never get on or off moving equipment. Park in a safe place,
apply parking brakes, turn off engine and remove the key
before dismounting.
• Turn the engine off before refueling

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 PRE-CONSTRUCTION WORK- SITE ANALYSIS
• Identify potential known hazards (e.g. using JHA.)
• Consider office, tool, laydown areas, storage areas
• Whenever possible plan your site to allow for drive through operations, to
eliminate backing-up
• Reduce the amount of foot traffic allowed on the jobsite
• Establish a traffic control system using traffic lights or spotters.

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROLS

• Application of Engineering & Administrative Controls and use of PPE’s.
– Install perimeter fencing and enclosures
– Install/post signs
– Install temporary barricades around hazards
– Spotters (with appropriate PPE) provided for in-the-blind, backing machines and/or
equipment
– Choosing and using the appropriate type of equipment.
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 PROPER EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
• Periodic preventive
maintenance as per
manufacturer
recommendation
• Prompt repair of any
noted deficiencies
• No modifications
• Refresh labels, signs,
instructions, charts, etc.

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 D.O.13 – ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT

• Section 7.2
“The General Constructor must provide for one (1) Construction
Safety and Health Officer for every ten (10) units of heavy
equipment assigned to the project site, to oversee the effective
compliance with the Construction Safety and Health Program at
the construction project site, in terms of heavy equipment
utilization and maintenance”

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 D.O.13 – ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT

• Section 10.1-a
“All heavy equipment operators assigned at the project site must
be tested and certified in accordance with a standard trade test
prescribed by TESDA in coordination with its accredited
organization/s”
• Section 10.2.4-a
“Only duly certified operators shall be allowed to operate their
designated heavy equipment”

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 CONCLUSION
• Heavy equipments are powerful
machines that are vital in every
construction project. However,
more power also means higher
risks.
• Both the operators and men on
foot are responsible in ensuring
safety around these heavy
equipments.

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