Injury Prevention and Safety Tips for your Crew

Injury Prevention Strategies

Some of the most common mistakes on the job come from crew members moving too quickly. It’s important to stop and take inventory of the situation, rather than reacting immediately. The same goes for entering and exiting machines. Often times, operators tend to move in a hurry or try to jump out and slip on ice. Machine operators should always take the time for three points of contact during mount and dismount to ensure safety.

One of the best strategies to prevent job site injuries is training and detection – do not wait until the snow has fallen to train your crew. Familiarize them with the job site layout in advance. That general lay-of-the-land knowledge will come in handy once the snow falls. It is impossible to know where curbs and other hazards are under deep snow. In terms of damage assessment, it’s helpful to check out the job site ahead of time to take photos and note any pre-existing damage to protect yourself in the event of any complaints after the job is done.

Another important way to prevent injury is to assess fatigue. If you’re exhausted or drowsy after several hours of operating, take a quick break to recharge. Learn to recognize the symptoms of fatigue as they impact the health and safety of you and those around you.

Dressing for the Job

When dressing for the job, you want to make sure you’re warm and visible. High visibility personal protection equipment (PPE) for your climate is crucial, and don’t forget your hat, gloves and boots. You and your crew should be visible at all times with safety lights and vests.

If you’re out removing snow in a remote area and your machine breaks down, you want to make sure you’re dressed to survive the elements. Conditions like frostbite or hypothermia can be best avoided with the proper PPE.