If you have to work around heavy equipment, your injury risks on the job go up significantly. It’s important for you to understand what you can do to work safely and to keep avoiding injury as a priority.
Naturally, accidents can and still do happen on the worksite. The following tips do not guarantee you will not be injured, but they can help reduce your odds.
Focus on communication
Communication is very important between operators and those who are working around the machines. When everyone is on the same page and understands what tasks are being performed, they can do so safely.
Consider common hazards
You also simply want to think about common problems that can lead to accidents. One example could be a machine that has large blind spots where the operator can’t see people around them, or a machine that spins quickly and could cause injury if it becomes entangled with loose clothing or jewelry.
Be visible
It can help to wear bright colors on a worksite because it simply makes you stand out against the background, making sure that you’re more visible to heavy machinery operators. All it takes is one flash of color for them to realize someone is there. Many serious accidents happen because one person didn’t see the other and didn’t realize there was a problem until it was too late.
If you have been injured on the job, then you need to know exactly what you can do to seek workers’ compensation benefits. These can help to cover the cost of the wages that you miss out on or your medical bills, among other things.