The Importance of Heavy Machinery Heavy machinery is a variety of large machinery running on fuel and operated by a driver. Why are they so important? Heavy machinery are used to perform challenging tasks such as moving earth, lifting heavy matter, demolition, digging, and transporting light equipment or materials. The operation of such equipment requires special licensing and screening due to the hazards that come with it. According to a 2012 publication by the Fair Work Ombudsman’s site, there are more than 50 fatalities in the workplace each year due to hazards caused by heavy machinery. As a manager, you are in charge and liable for the wellness and safety of your work crew. One good way to start is to practice proper procedures during machine repairs. Adelaide, for instance, requires employers to be familiarized with OSH’s heavy machinery regulations to ensure optimum job safety. Even during robotic system installations, Adelaide also requires regulations to be followed. The Operation of Heavy Machinery The Occupational Safety and Health office regulates such equipment by deciding who can, and cannot, operate heavy machinery or tools. Personnel are not permitted to operate heavy equipment unless they have the right amount and scope of training and are given the go signal from their supervisors to do so. OSH’s regulation is so wide as to say that personnel who are not granted permission to operate heavy machinery are restricted from even pressing the equipment’s start button. Due to the hazardous nature of heavy machinery, such as concrete mixers, masonry saws and bulldozers, these regulations are implemented to ensure the proper protection of the staff, reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities. OSH requires equipment to be clearly labeled with caution tags that say lines like “do not operate,” so that personnel are warned of potential safety risks. There are safe ways to store heavy machinery, after operators are done using it for the workday. According to OSH, machinery and tools can still pose safety threats even in its non-operating position, so they should be safeguarded when they are not in use. Storing machinery means guarding the dangerous points, such as covering or removing the blades on masonry saws. Heavy motorized machinery should be safeguarded with breaks in the locked position. As for the other types of equipment, like concrete buckets, they should have safety latches that can prevent the equipment from tilting or spilling unintentionally. How to Regulate Inspections OSH mandates heavy equipment to be examined and maintained on a timely basis to ensure that everything is in good working condition and ready to be utilized. When plant managers do not carry out safety inspections on their heavy machinery, they are taking huge risks by letting personnel operate the machinery or even within close proximity with the machine. Minor details like loose brakes and torn belts shouldn’t be taken lightly and should always be repaired or replaced. No operator will get injured even if he doesn’t have any knowledge of its defect when safety procedures are undertaken. As such, it is very
important that managers inspect heavy machinery before allowing their personnel to work with them.