Managing Vehicle & Equipment Inspections
As a safety manager in construction, we understand that vehicle and equipment inspections are not always easy to manage. As you walk across the site, you can easily spot who is wearing PPE or practicing safe behavior – but knowing if an inspection has been completed is not as easy to see.
However, it’s important for us to remember that vehicle and equipment inspections are a requirement and overlooking them can come at a cost. Remember, it’s not just about being compliant – it’s about keeping employees safe and avoiding accidents. So what exactly is the standard for inspecting equipment in construction?
The OSHA 1926 Standard
As we know, the overlying standard for construction is the OSHA 1926. Within this we have the 1926.601 standard, which covers the use of Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment, and Marine Operations.
1926.601(b)(14) tells us that: “All vehicles in use shall be checked at the beginning of each shift to assure that the parts, equipment, and accessories are in safe operating condition and free of apparent damage that could cause failure while in use.”
The findings of this inspection should always be communicated to employers, and until any issues have been fixed, the motor vehicle should not be in operation.
Preventing Accidents with Pre-Shift Inspections
Motor vehicle safety is crucial in preventing accidents involving drivers, passengers, and other road users. Although it may seem easier or less time consuming to overlook vehicle inspections, you may end up costing your business thousands of dollars, or worst – an individual’s life.
Pre-shift equipment inspections not only help you stay OSHA compliant, but they can prevent small issues from becoming large problems.
Click here to check out how our patented Inspection Checklist Solution is building safety culture in construction!
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