A popular misconception about heavy equipment is that heavy means heavyweight. In fact, this equipment can be lightweight or quite small, such as a wheelbarrow, or mini-excavator but it’s most often used on fairly large projects. This kind of equipment is defined as any kind of industrial machinery that is designed to handle the great weight or to operate in very cold temperatures or extreme weather conditions.

_Excavation

These types of construction projects tend to require the use of excavation equipment a lot. Excavation is the process of excavating a larger volume of ground or other substance with the intention of making space for new development. The most common equipment used in excavation activities is bulldozers and backhoes. Backhoes are equipped with long and powerful wheels capable of moving over uneven or sandy soils with much ease.

Mining

Another area of the construction industry where this kind of equipment operation is essential is in the mining and mineral sector. Many thousands of workers worldwide are involved in various aspects of mining operations and many of these workers are engaged in manual labor or dangerous work environments. In the past few decades, many construction companies have been found to be at fault for worker’s compensation claims that resulted from the operation of one or more of their machines. The incidence of these accidents has caused many mining communities to implement safety measures in order to avoid the risk of serious injury or fatality.

Ensuring Safety

One of the most important ways to ensure the safety of workers operating any type of heavy machinery is through the process of hazard communication. The use of visual displays is a proven method of ensuring that operators can easily see each other and are able to promptly identify hazards on the job site. Employees should always make eye contact with other operators and be aware of their locations on the worksite at all times. Safety goggles and other protective gear should be worn at all times in these types of situations.

As you can see, the uses of various types of this kind of equipment are wide in variety and can involve many different types of professions, both well established and newer. It is vital that all operators of such equipment adhere to safe work practices when operating them. This will not only help reduce the risk of injury for everyone, but it will also help reduce the risk of a machinery accident taking place.