Equipment World Staff (EQW)Safety WatchPowered for safety: Use caution when using the tools of the tradeThe accident: One man in a five-man crew was using a jackhammer, which was connected to an extension cord. The jackhammer’s worn extension cord came into contact with standing rainwater, and the man, who was not wearing company-issued rubber boots, was electrocuted.April 14, 2014Safety WatchElectrical problems: Recognize, evaluate and control hazards to stay safeThe accident: A four-man crew was adding space to an existing building by erecting a brick wall. The workers had set up scaffolding, and were pouring grout and inserting rerod into the bricks.April 14, 2014Safety WatchPrepare not to be shocked: Use common sense when working around electrical hazardsThe accident: A crew was working on a landfill gas processing facility installation. While moving a load with a crane, the crane operator touched the boom tip of the crane to an overhead power line with a carrying capacity of more than 12,000 volts.April 14, 2014Safety WatchDemo dangers: Knowledge is the key to staying safe during demolitionThe Accident: An ironworker for a steel erection company was performing demolition work on a hollow block wall inside a building. An opening had been cut in the wall for a doorway, leaving 16 inches on either side, and leaving the header beam suspended without support.April 14, 2014Safety WatchDemolition dangers: Know what you’re getting into before you beginThe accident: A construction crew was demolishing an addition to a school building when a roof collapsed, seriously injuring two workers.April 14, 2014Safety WatchCrushing blow: Demolition work presents unforeseen risksThe accident: A subcontractor was performing demolition work inside a vacant school when a slab of concrete fell on him. A demolition robot then fell onto the concrete, pinning the worker underneath the slab from the neck down.April 14, 2014Safety WatchDanger zone: Stand clear of an excavator’s swing pivot areaThe accident: A contractor was removing tree stumps on a road project and processing the stumps and other wood debris in a tub grinder. An excavator loaded the grinder, operated remotely by a worker on the ground.April 14, 2014Safety WatchKnow your limits: Don’t work on equipment unless you have the proper trainingThe accident: An employee was repairing a 60-foot telescopic boom lift that had a malfunctioning counterbalance valve. He loosened the valve from underneath the rear of the lift and then climbed onto the lift’s base to access the valve from the front of the lift, positioning him directly under the boom.April 14, 2014Safety WatchBackhoe woes: Make sure your machine is blocked or chocked before leaving it on a slopeThe accident: A backhoe operator was working on covering a pipe in a drainage ditch next to a retaining wall. He parked the machine on a slope and exited the backhoe while leaving the bucket, which was full of rocks and gravel, elevated.April 14, 2014Safety WatchDon’t get pinned: Safe operation starts with the basicsThe accident: The contractor instructed an excavator operator to move dirt, clear debris and fill a trench, and then left the jobsite. Upon his return, he saw the excavator – which was an older model that had been purchased used – positioned over the trench, with the operator pinned to a tree and crushed by the […]April 14, 2014Previous PagePage 39 of 591Next PageTop StoriesRoadbuilding equipmentTop Roadbuilding Equipment of 2025: Motor Graders, Rollers, and MoreIt was a big year for roadbuilding equipment announcements. Here are the top picks for 2025 from Equipment World editors.VideosMost Viewed Construction Equipment – Our Top 10 “Closer Look” Videos of 2025Construction EquipmentAntique Caterpillars Rule! – Top 5 Vintage Equipment Stories of 2025Compact ExcavatorsCloser Look: Develon DX35Z-7 Mini Excavator Excels at Digging in Tight SpacesExcavatorsKomatsu's New PC365-11 Hybrid Excavator Boosts Power, Cuts Fuel Use
