1. Heavy Equipment Safety
AECOM
Heavy Equipment Safety

2. Consider
This is an actual incident reported in the Fatal Facts file on
Heavy Equipment Safety

3. Consider
The government issued two citations to the employer. One was based on “failure to train employees in safe work practices” regarding the dangers of heavy equipment. The other citation was for “failure to erect barricades” to prevent entry into a swinging superstructure’s radius. This employee's death may have been prevented through something as simple as worker training for heavy equipment safety
Heavy Equipment Safety

4. Danger!
Mishaps involving heavy equipment have a higher probability resulting in a fatality than other types of incidents. For AECOM employees, working as a pedestrian (inspector/engineer) around heavy equipment represents your most significant risk.
Heavy Equipment Safety

5. After Completing This Couse, You Will be Able to:
Comply with the “rules of engagement” for working around heavy equipment.
Communicate effectively with co-workers to help keep everyone safe around heavy equipment.
Identify practices for operating heavy equipment safely.
Properly inspect and maintain heavy equipment including documentation.
Heavy Equipment Safety

6. This Section Will Cover:
Comply with the “rules of engagement” for working around heavy equipment.
Communicate effectively with co-workers to help keep everyone safe around heavy equipment.
Identify practices for operating heavy equipment safely.
Properly inspect and maintain heavy equipment including documentation.
Heavy Equipment Safety

7. Heavy Equipment Safety Management Standard
AECOM Safety, Health, and Environment policies address safety issues surrounding Heavy Equipment Operations. To view additional policies and details, refer to the Safety, Health, and Environment page on Ecosystem.
Heavy Equipment Safety

8. The “Rules of Engagement”
For ground personnel, the best way to avoid getting injured by heavy equipment is to stay out of the way. Always assume the operator CANNOT see you.
Heavy Equipment Safety

9. The “Rules of Engagement”
Ground personnel must be trained how to work safely around heavy equipment and how to stay out of the way.
Unsafe practices by either ground personnel or equipment operators can result in hazardous situations, serious injuries, and even fatalities.
Heavy Equipment Safety

10. The “Rules of Engagement”
The rules of engagement for working around heavy equipment include required training which ground personnel must comply with. The training should include information on:
High-visibility vests
Swing zone safety
How to avoid getting trapped
Heavy Equipment Safety

11. Warning Vests
The first requirement is that ground personnel wear high-visibility warning bests. If you ae working at night, the vest must be reflective.
Heavy Equipment Safety

12. Swing Zone Safety
A second requirement is that ground personnel will stay outside of the swing zone, or work area, of any operating equipment unless:
They have attracted the operator’s attention and made eye contact.
The operator has idled the equipment down and grounded all extensions.
The operator gives the ground personnel permission to approach.
Heavy Equipment Safety

13. Swing Zone Safety
To control unauthorized personnel from entering the swing zone, it is AECOM policy to barricade or flag the swing radius of equipment like excavators and cranes.
Heavy Equipment Safety

14. Avoid Getting Trapped
Finally, ground personnel must be trained never to walk or position themselves between any fixed object and running equipment or between two running pieces of equipment.
Heavy Equipment Safety

15. Situational Awareness
One rule of engagement that encompasses most of the other rules is to maintain situational awareness. Situational awareness means that you are constantly observing the environment around you and questioning what can happen to you. Ask yourself these five questions anytime you are working around heavy equipment.
What am I about to do?
What could go wrong?
What could be done to make it safer?
What is my escape route?
What have I done to communicate the hazards?
Heavy Equipment Safety

16. Communication
Communication is essential for accident prevention during heavy equipment operations.
Eyes: 1) Make eye contact. 2) Make sure the operator sees you and okays your approach. 3) Never assume the operator knows where you are or what you are doing.
Hand: 1) Use hand signals. 2) Due to the noise of heavy equipment, you will need to use hand signals to communicate. 3) These will be covered in upcoming slides.
Ears: 1) Listen for back-up alarms. 2) Always pay attention to back-up alarms. 3) Be careful if you are wearing hearing protection.
Heavy Equipment Safety

17. Hand Signals
When working with heavy equipment, hand signals are essential for helping workers stay safe. All workers onsite should have an agreed upon set of hand signals before beginning work. A good hand signal is easily recognizable.
Some good hand signals to develop are:
Start the engine
Move toward me
This far to go
Stop the vehicle
Kill the engine
Delete the next six (6) slides as no videos???
Heavy Equipment Safety

18. Hand Signals - 1
When working with heavy equipment, hand signals are essential for helping workers stay safe. All workers onsite should have an agreed upon set of hand signals before beginning work. A good hand signal is easily recognizable. The following screens contain some suggested hand signals
Answer: Stop the vehicle
Heavy Equipment Safety

19. Hand Signals - 2 Let’s try another one. Answer: Move towards me
Heavy Equipment Safety

20. Hand Signals - 3 Let’s try another one Answer: Start the engine
Heavy Equipment Safety

21. Hand Signals - 4 Let’s try another one. Answer: Kill the engine
Heavy Equipment Safety

22. Hand Signals - 5 Let’s try another one. Answer: This far to go
Heavy Equipment Safety

23. Hand Signals
Here are a few of the most common signals and some recommended hand signals to be aware of.
Lift:
Lower:
Dig:
Heavy Equipment Safety

24. Other Considerations
Here are some other things you need to keep in mind when walking or working around heavy equipment.
Always be aware of where you are and where moving equipment is located
Watch out and stay clear of pinch points, earth-moving equipment, and cranes
Always stay out from under loads on cranes or hoists, even if it means taking the long way around
Avoid walking behind equipment that is backing up
Heavy Equipment Safety

25. Other Considerations
Wait until you have left the area of heavy equipment before writing notes because you never want to limit your field of vision around heavy equipment.
You are especially vulnerable when performing certain operations such as
Sampling flush monitoring walls
Using nuclear density meters
Inspecting road surfaces
Using respiratory protection
Heavy Equipment Safety

26. Let’s Review
For ground personnel, the best way to avoid getting injured by heavy equipment is to stay out of the way.
Always wear a high-visibility warning vest when working around heavy equipment.
Stay out of the way of the swing zone of all heavy equipment
Never position yourself between running equipment and any fixed object or any other running equipment.
Communication is essential for working around heavy equipment. Make sure you are knowledgeable about eye contact, back-up alarms, and hand signals.
Heavy Equipment Safety

27. This section Will Cover:
Comply with the “rules of engagement” for working around heavy equipment.
Communicate effectively with co-workers to help keep everyone safe around heavy equipment.
Identify practices for operating heavy equipment safely.
Properly inspect and maintain heavy equipment including documentation.
Heavy Equipment Safety

28. Equipment Operation
Even though most AECOM field staff are not equipment operators, it is still valuable to understand the basic safety rules for equipment operation. This will help you be better able to predict events when working around the equipment as well as give you a better understanding of the dangers associated with the equipment and the imitations of equipment operators.
In this section of the training, you will learn about AECOM and federal requirements, and safety rules for equipment operation. This information will be useful when AECOM operates equipment, and when reviewing contractor/subcontractor safety.
Heavy Equipment Safety

29. Operator Requirements
Highly skilled individuals who have demonstrated the ability to operate heavy equipment safety must be the only operators of excavators, backhoes, front-end loaders, dump truck, cranes, and other heavy equipment
Heavy Equipment Safety

30. Operator Requirements
AECOM requires that operators of heavy equipment be authorized users. Assessment of an employee’s equipment operation qualifications can be measured from:
Resumes
Licenses
Training
Practical evaluation of skills
Heavy Equipment Safety

31. Operator Requirements
Part of safe operating procedures includes using the equipment's safety features.
Entering and Exiting Equipment: 1) Use ladders and handholds to climb down from equipment. Do not jump. 2) Use the three-point contact rule when climbing on or off heavy equipment. This means that you must have both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot in contact with the ladder at all times.
Seat Belts: 1) Seat belts must be present and functional in all equipment. 2) Anytime the equipment is running and you are in the cab, you must have the seat belt on.
Glass and Visibility: Equipment with cracked, broken, or missing cab glass may not be used.
Heavy Equipment Safety

32. Operator Requirements
Backup alarms must be functional. This safety feature alerts ground personnel when the equipment is backing up. However do not rely on the alarm. Use spotters to help overcome blind spots when backing up or moving the equipment.
Heavy Equipment Safety

33. Operator Requirements
All equipment must have a roll-over protection system (ROPS). This system is designed to protect the operator if the equipment tips over.
Heavy Equipment Safety

34. Operator Requirements
There are other safety rules that you must follow when operating heavy equipment.
Noise levels around the equipment could potentially cause hearing loss. Wear appropriate hearing protection.
Observe speed limits
Use spotters if you cannot see around a load or if the equipment has blind spots.
Never allow anyone to ride on the outside of equipment or in buckets.
Stop work whenever unauthorized ground personnel or equipment enter your work area, and only resume work when the area has been cleared.
Heavy Equipment Safety

35. Operator Requirements
Here are some additional things to watch out for when operating heavy equipment.
Traffic: Set up a system to control traffic flow both on the site and at junctions with public roads. If barricades and warning signs are not enough per regulatory requirements, use qualified flaggers. All of these are addressed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Special Conditions: These include weather, refueling, and other work going on around you.
Terrain: Watch out for excavations, unstable ground, etc.
Overhead and Underground Obstructions: These may include utilities, trees, stumps, rocks, and other vehicles.
Heavy Equipment Safety

36. MUTCD
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD, defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets and highways. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The MUTCD had many useful standards that can help keep our employs safe around work sites that are near traffic.
Heavy Equipment Safety

37. Safe and Secure
When the equipment is not in use, there are four things you must do to make sure it is secure and safe
Shift transmission in neutral.
Set the parking break.
Engine off and keys out of ignition
Buckets, blades, etc. must be on the ground.
Heavy Equipment Safety

38. Using Chocks
Also, be sure to “chock” the tires on slopes so that the equipment will not roll.
Heavy Equipment Safety

39. Let’s Review Use each word below to complete the sentences.
Only __________ individuals who have demonstrated the ability to operate heavy equipment __________ will be allowed to do so.
Use __________ point contact rule when climbing on of off heavy equipment.
Anytime the equipment is running and you are in the cab, you must have the __________ on.
The back-up __________ warns ground personnel when equipment is backing up. __________ should also be used to help overcome blind spots when backing up or moving equipment.
__________ work whenever unauthorized ground personnel or equipment enter your work area and only resume work when the area has been __________.
When you are finished using the equipment, ensure the __________ is on; lower buckets, blades, etc.; shift into neutral and turn the __________ off.
three cleared engine highly-skilled stop safety alarm spotters seat belt emergency brake
Heavy Equipment Safety

40. After Completing this Section, You Will be Able to:
Comply with the “rules of engagement” for working around heavy equipment.
Communicate effectively with co-workers to help keep everyone safe around heavy equipment.
Identify practices for operating heavy equipment safely.
Properly inspect and maintain heavy equipment including documentation.
Heavy Equipment Safety

41. Inspection Process
Equipment must be inspected daily or before each shift. There are three steps that need to be completed during the inspection.
The walk around
The outside systems check
The inside systems check
While AECOM may not be operating heavy equipment on your project, it is important to understand the inspection process when you provide oversight of sub-contractors.
Heavy Equipment Safety

42. The Walk Around During the walk around, check for items like:
Falling objects protective structure (FOP)
Roll-over protection structure (ROPS)
Side shields, screens, or cab
Grab handles
Guards
Glass, mirrors
Anti-skid tread clear of mud
Safety signs
General condition
Lift arm, bucket
Tires, tracks
Blast shields
Heavy Equipment Safety

43. Outside Systems Check
During the outside systems check, check for items like:
Lights
General conditions
Fuel connection
Oil (full and no leaks)
Hydraulic system (full and no leaks)
Gallons of fuel added
Quarts of oil added
Heavy Equipment Safety

44. Inside Systems Check
During the inside system check, check for items like:
Seat belts
Back-up alarm (working)
Horn
Windshield wipers
Controls all function properly
Fire extinguisher
Parking brake
Steering
Operator seat bar(s)
Lift arm device
Ground condition
Clear of extra materials
Breathing air system
Heavy Equipment Safety

45. Inspection Checklist
The Heavy Equipment Pre-Operation Checklist provides a checklist of all the items listed in the previous slides. They should be inspected before each shift. If any item(s) on the list are checked as unsatisfactory, the equipment may not be used until repaired. Find this checklist at he Safety, Health, & Environment page ono Ecosystem.
Heavy Equipment Safety

46. Practice
Let’s practice starting with the first step: the Walk Around. Look at these pictures – do you see any items that need attention and/or repair?
I cannot get a picture without the orange box around the tire
Heavy Equipment Safety

47. Practice
Let’s do an Outside Systems Check. Look at these pictures – do you see any items that need attention and/or repair?
I cannot get a picture without the orange boxes around the items.
Heavy Equipment Safety

48. Practice
Finally, we will do an Inside System Check. Review each labeled item to test. If you notice something is missing or broken, note it down.
Wiper Controls: Windshield wipers do not work
Steering Wheel: OK
Seal belt: OK
Parking Brake: Engaged
Back-up Alarm: Button does not work
I think we have to delete this slide, no way to make it useful in plain text.
Horn: Button does not work
Lift Arm Control: OK
Heavy Equipment Safety

49. Practice
How did you do? Compare your answers below to the correct answers.
Correct Answers:
The horn is not working and needs repair.
The back-up alarm is not working and needs repair.
The windshield wipers are not working and need repair.
There is no fire extinguisher in the vehicle. One needs to be added.
Answers for previous slide; if delete it then this needs deleted.
Heavy Equipment Safety

50. If Equipment Fails the Check
If the equipment fails any part of the check, you may not use the equipment until it is fixed. AECOM requirement for maintenance and repair includes:
Following manufacturer's maintenance/repair schedule
Other requirements
Motor is off
All extensions are grounded or securely blocked
Controls are in neutral
Brakes are set
Heavy Equipment Safety

51. Operation Manuals
Operation manuals for each piece of equipment at the site must be maintained. In addition, operators must be familiar with the manual and the follow operational guidelines in the manual.
Heavy Equipment Safety

52. Required Documentation
Heavy equipment operators must also follow and complete all required AECOM heavy equipment documentation. Refer to the Safety, Health, & Environment page on Ecosystem.
Heavy Equipment Safety

53. Required Documentation
Documents you are required to keep in the project’s health and safety file include the following:
List of authorized operators and the equipment they are authorized to operate
Operator qualifications
Daily inspection logs
Site briefing documentation
Heavy Equipment Safety

54. Scenario 1
An inspector was killed when a dump truck backed over him. The truck was bringing hot asphalt to a new road being constructed in a housing project. The inspector was wearing an orange reflective vest and hardhat at the time of the incident. The dump truck had a back up alarm that was working properly. The truck traveled approximately 770 feet in reverse before backing over the inspector. The inspector had his back to the vehicle and the driver never saw him. What could have been done to prevent this accident.
Options are:
Get a louder back-up alarm
Do not wear hearing protection
Use a spotter
Reduce the distance the truck is going in reverse
Heavy Equipment Safety

55. Scenario 2
If you work around heavy equipment, there are many types of personal protective equipment (PPE) that you must use at all times. Which type(s) of PPE should be used at all times when working around heavy equipment.
Options are:
Steel-toed boots
Safety glasses/goggles
High-visibility vest
Hard hat
Hearing protection
Heavy Equipment Safety

56. Scenario answers 1: 2: Use a spotter
Reduce the distance the truck is going in reverse 2:
Steel-toed boots
Safety glasses/goggles
High-visibility vest
Hard hat
Heavy Equipment Safety

57. Let’s Review
Make sure to use the Daily Heavy Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist to conduct three part inspections at the beginning of each shift.
The Walk Around
Outside Systems Check
Inside Systems Check
If you find any damaged or missing items during the inspection, do NOT use that piece of equipment until the damage has been repaired and/or missing items have been replaced.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the operations manual for any heavy equipment you will be inspecting/operating.
Maintain all necessary records for heavy equipment operations.
Always wear appropriate PPE for working around heavy equipment.
Be sure to review the inspection checklists from subcontractors.
Heavy Equipment Safety

58. Remain Vigilant!
Failure to follow the safety guidelines in this module could cost a worker’s life. You will always loose in an argument with a piece of heavy equipment. Never become complacent when working in or around heavy equipment and follow the safety rules carefully
Heavy Equipment Safety