ECI – Engineers Construction

The typical rules for working around heavy equipment include:

• Be Visible!  Wear hi-viz clothing and be where you are visible to the equipment operator.
• Stay out of the swing area of an excavator.  Do not approach the swing area without signalling the operator of your intentions and receiving his acknowledgement.
• Watch and understand the equipment movement patterns before entering onto a job site.

As an operator:

• Always lock-out hydraulics and set parking brake before stepping out of equipment or allowing someone to approach your cab.
• Follow a predictable movement pattern (swing directions, truck turn-around pattern, etc.)
• Always check behind yourself when backing.  Use your mirrors and do a visual scan.
• Never assume it is clear behind with visually confirming.
• Minimize backing movements.
• Park facing out when practical.

One great new feature in some equipment and even automobiles is a rear-view camera that engages when the vehicle is put into reverse.  We can expect to see the cameras on more equipment, and trucks in the future.