Observe proper safety measures when working with batching plants
When you work on construction sites and around heavy-duty construction equipment like batching plants, you can never be too safe or take too many precautions. Because of the potentially hazardous conditions that construction equipment creates, it’s necessary that everyone on the job site observes proper safety protocol and is trained on how to use the machinery.
Batching plants work by mixing materials like water, gravel, sand and cement together in order to make concrete. They are common on big construction sites and while you may have seen them before, if you’ve never operated one it’s important to be properly trained before using one. Another important safety factor is the quality of your equipment, which is why it is best to purchase or hire equipment from a reputable company with an after sales back-up spare parts and maintenance service.
Important safety tips when working with batching plants:
Go through training, protocol and emergency procedures with everyone who will be operating construction equipment. If an emergency occurs and the batching plant needs to be shut off immediately, be certain that everyone knows how to turn it off.
An on-site batch plant must be located where it will not pose a hazard to the environment or affect the local community living within close proximity to the construction site. All procedures need to put in place to reduce dust emissions as much as possible such as the addition over the top of cement silos and bins containing cement and other aggregates.
Let everyone working in the control room and the job site know where the emergency shut off switch is, even people who won’t be operating the batching plant. Unfortunately, accidents can happen and everyone on location needs to be prepared to shut off the equipment immediately. Or, ensure the batch plant is fitted with self-closing flow control valves or over-ride controls in case a fault occurs in controlling the flow in cement or other aggregates which go into the mixing and production of concrete.
Control rooms should be located a safe distance from where the loading and mixing of cement occur to avoid breathing in of the dust that maybe created during the weigh batching process.
Make sure that everyone on site wears protective clothing, appropriate headgear and eye wear. Construction sites have strict dress codes for a reason – there are many hazardous materials and heavy-duty equipment that can be dangerous in inexperienced hands or if a fault occurs. Exposure to cement dust can irritate eyes, nose, throat and the upper respiratory system.
Don’t eat or drink where cement dust is present and wash hands before you eat. To be extra cautious to avoid ingesting cement dust, protective clothing worn while operating a batch plant should be removed eating or returning home at the end of a work day.
If you need a batching plant, contact Utranazz today and let our knowledgeable staff take you through all the features of the different batching plants we stock to help you decide which piece of equipment is right for your building project requirements.