Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA has issued a hazard bulletin after investigating recent incidents involving heavy construction equipment that resulted in workers being injured and killed.
The three incidents, which occurred in June and August, involved a paving roller, a front-end loader and an aerial lift. Two of the four workers injured in the incidents died.
MIOSHA, which operates as a State Plan program under federal OSHA, urges employers to take steps to enhance awareness and training for workers who operate or work around heavy construction equipment.
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Other recommendations:
- Evaluate site conditions, such as identifying uneven terrain, soft ground, steep slopes and ditches, before moving equipment into an area.
- Understand and follow the equipment’s safe operating procedures.
- Conduct daily inspections of the equipment’s brakes, tires, seat belts, alarms, etc.
- Don’t operate a piece of equipment without using a seat belt.
- Ensure loads and structures are properly supported before lifting, guiding and working underneath them.
- Follow lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from unexpectedly shifting during maintenance or inspection.
