Protecting Your Crew on Heavy Construction Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be considered prior to beginning any construction project. There are many categories of PPE and numerous things to consider when determining what type of equipment is necessary for your team.

A thorough job-site audit to assess every hazard and task is paramount when considering PPE.

You should also know what the key federal, state and/or industry regulations that govern your job sites are, and what the provisions are in each for the use of PPE. Consider what, if any, inspections are performed by regulators and what is included their inspections. Also, consider the strengths and weaknesses of your current workplace safety program. Can you identify any vulnerabilities that PPE can help address?

When you’ve identified your construction site hazards you can determine the necessary protection needed for each. Hard hats, for example, are designed to protect against impact and penetration from falling objects, and in some cases against electrical hazards. Head protection should be required wherever there is a hazard from falling objects, and wherever a worker may be injured by impact from stationary objects overhead.

Don’t overlook eye protection. The eyes are very vulnerable and should be protected from flying particles, molten metal, light, heat, chemicals, dust and other workplace irritants. Eye protection should be worn whenever someone is operating power equipment.

Ear protection is also a concern on job sites since high levels of noise can cause hearing loss and stress. How much noise is too much noise? If you have to yell to be heard over background noise, then the noise level is probably too high. Ear protection includes ear inserts, canal caps and ear muffs. The noise level and PPE requirements would dictate which type you would use.

Depending on the job, other parts of the body should be protected against burns, impacts and cuts. Protective apparel such as chaps can be used to help prevent leg accidents and gloves should be used to protect hands. Also consider protecting your feet from impact, puncture or electric shock. Safety shoes and boots may provide protection and shoes with impact-resistant toes can be worn to protect toes from heavy objects being dropped on feet. You may also want to consider a metal insole to protect the foot from punctures when where are sharp objects underfoot.

If fall protection is necessary consider a body harness, lanyards, anchorage, life lines and shock absorbers.

If you are considering construction equipment rental options, consult with the rental company about the PPE they provide.

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