Scaffolding is a useful temporary structure that is used on construction sites all over the world. To run a safe working site you need to have all the correct equipment in full working order. The following article has information about some heavy equipment you may use on site when working with scaffolding.

Forklift trucks are useful machines to have on medium to large scale construction sites. As they are fairly small they provide a manoeuvrable solution for transporting materials around the site which would otherwise waste a considerable deal of man power.

Everyone working on a safe worksite knows the correct procedure for operating heavy machinery however we also all know that corners can be cut and bad habits can appear, especially when working to deadlines and tight restraints.

At the beginning of each working day perform a routine check of the forklift. As well as checking the engine make sure to inspect the breaks, steering column, the horn and the level of tread remaining on the tires.

If you are using a forklift with a rechargeable battery take care when charging it. You should only use the specified area for recharging and nowhere else on site. There shouldn’t be any naked flames, active welding equipment or any other high temperature heat sources anywhere nearby.

Several occurrences may cause a forklift driver to become unfamiliar with operating a vehicle. If an employee has been offsite for an extended period of time it is recommended that they attend at the minimum a short refresher course to refamiliarise themselves with the forklifts workings. The same course of action is also recommended for when an employee moves from one model of forklift to another or if they are observed driving the vehicle in an unsafe manner.

Similar to forklifts, cranes can bring a significant increase to productivity on site of if they are treated with due care and respect. Without the use of cranes work on large construction sites and high rise builds would be practically impossible.

Before using the crane carry out routine checks to assure employee safety. Test the responsiveness of the controls, inspect the wire cable and any fittings (such as hooks) for damage or possible weaknesses and also check the braking mechanisms in a controlled manner.

One of the most notable features of a crane is its size and presence on the site. This provides the crane with its main strength but if care and consideration are not practiced it could also lead to the downfall of labourers on site. When moving loads of materials around the site make sure you are moving them over a clear path. Do not move any loads over workers on site and use barricades to visibly mark any structures that may become obstacles in the path of the crane’s radius. Pay particular attention to any power lines in close proximity to the cranes moorings.