Equipment
Construction work usually requires the use of a wide range of plant and equipment and severe injury and death can result if these items are not used safely.
Plant and equipment should be checked before use. If any faults or problems are identified these should be attended to immediately. Do not use faulty plant or equipment.
Hand tools
- use the correct tool for the job
- use eye protection where appropriate
- use a lanyard or wrist strap to secure the tool if there is a risk of the tool falling, particularly onto people working below.
Explosive powered tools
These can cause injury to the operator or other people in an area which can extend up to 100 metres radius. These tools should:
- be used only by a person who has received instruction in their safe use
- be used in an area where appropriate warning signs have been displayed and where people are wearing eye and hearing protection.
Electrical equipment
Defective or carelessly used electrical gear can kill.
To help prevent electrocution you should:
- have electrical equipment tested and tagged
- not use leads, plugs, connectors, guards and other parts if damaged, defective or if they do not have a current inspection tag
- not use piggy-back plugs and double adaptors
- ensure each final sub-circuit of construction wiring is protected by a safety switch
- ensure leads are kept well away from heat sources, wet areas, sharp objects and other places where they could get damaged
- if necessary run cables at height to keep them dry and prevent them from being damaged
- ensure tools are in good condition
- use tools with insulated handgrips
- wear non-conductive footwear
- look out for overheating equipment
- keep as far away as possible from power lines and electrical cables.
There is more information available on electrical safety.
Compressed air
Compressed air has the potential to cause serious injury, especially to eyes and ears so:
- don’t ever direct air jets against any part of your body or against other peoples’ bodies
- before connection, check hoses and equipment for damage such as broken retainers, switches and guards – if any part is damaged or defective do not use it
- check that hoses are clear of walkways, doorways and vehicle access areas
- wear eye and ear protection.
Hot work
Equipment used in gas welding, cutting and electric welding should be handled only by competent operators, and:
- protection screens should be used to isolate the work area and protect people from UV related eye injury
- appropriate warning signs should be posted
- flammable liquids and gases and other combustible material must be moved a safe distance from the work area
- electrical equipment must have current tagging and/or safety switches
- parts such as gauges, hoses, connectors and torches should be checked for damage or defects
- flash back arresters should be fitted
- gas bottles should be secured in their trolley
- keys should be left in the bottles
- appropriate fire extinguishers should be immediately available
- protective face shields or goggles, clothing and gloves should be worn – do not look at arc welding without suitable eye protection.
Lasers
If sufficiently high powered, lasers can cause damage to the eye or skin. Employers should ensure that on-site safety precautions appropriate to the class of laser being used are put in place.
Cranes and lifting gear
Because cranes and mechanical lifting gear are used to handle excessively heavy loads, there is always potential for injury to the operator and others. Before operation begins, the equipment, its location, setting up and intended use should be assessed to ensure that risks to health and safety are minimised or removed.
It is important to ensure:
- the crane or equipment is adequate for the job – you need to know the weight and mass of the load to be lifted and the capacity of the equipment to lift such a load
- the crane operator has the appropriate certificate
- dogger and riggers have appropriate certificate
- all components of the crane are properly maintained
- people will not be struck by counterweight, for example, by using barricades and signs.
Information on chains, slings, shackles and other lifting gear is provided in the Guide for doggers and AS 2550.1 : Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use - General requirements (non-Queensland Government link).
Outriggers should be:
- fully extended
- kept clear of trenches and excavations
- supported by sole plates or pig-stied timbers.
Vehicles and other equipment
Vehicles and other 'driver operated' equipment should only be moved or used by a person who has an appropriate permit, licence or certificate.
Operators should stay away from hazards such as walkways, power lines, trenches, pits, unstable surfaces, steep gradients, projecting objects and other vehicles. Operators should remain alert to the position and movement of other people in the vicinity of their vehicles and other equipment.
Other people’s responsibilities
- Traffic controllers should wear safety vests for identification.
- Other people in the area should remain well clear of the moving vehicle or equipment and should understand the operator has a restricted field of vision.
- People not involved in the work should keep clear of the immediate plant area and follow any safety instructions from competent operators.
Concrete pumping
- The operator should be trained in the use and operation of the machinery involved in concrete pumping and be aware of the dangers associated with pumping procedures.
- Whenever possible, people should stay out of the path of moving vehicles and avoid being under the concrete placing boom.
- People not involved with this work should keep clear and follow any safety instructions from competent operators.
- The boom pump operator must have an appropriate certificate.
More about concrete pumping safety.
Post-tensioning or pre-stressing
- Post-tensioning or pre-stressing work should only be carried out by people who have the expertise in this field and operators who are trained under the direct supervision of competent operators.
- Adequate barricades and other protection should be put in place.
- Appropriate warning signs should be clearly displayed.
- People not involved with this work should keep clear and follow any safety instructions from competent operators.
Last updated August 17, 2006