Bulldozer Operator Injuries
Heavy equipment operators on construction sites and in other types of work are often at greater risk of serious or fatal injury than workers in other industries. There are many different types of heavy equipment that must be operated on construction sizes, in excavation areas, and on demolition sites. Bulldozers are a commonly used type of heavy equipment, and bulldozer operators often suffer severe and debilitating injuries when safety concerns exist or when there is any type of negligent or careless behavior around the area where the bulldozer is being operated.
If you or someone you love recently got hurt in a bulldozer accident, it is important to find out more about seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Our Maryland construction work injury lawyers can tell you more about bulldozer safety issues and injuries, and we can begin working with you on your workers’ compensation case today.
Bulldozer Injury Issues
What is a bulldozer? It is one type of heavy machinery often used on construction sites that is a “track-mounted tractor” with blades and different claw attachments. It also has an enclosed cab where the operator sits and from where the operator uses the blades and claw attachments, which we will explain in more detail below.
Bulldozers, similar to other types of heavy equipment on construction sites, can be extremely dangerous to operate or to work near. Why are bulldozers so dangerous? According to the Heavy Equipment Colleges of America and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), bulldozers have several features that can result in serious and deadly injuries:
- Several different types of blades that can be used for various functions from fine grading to moving large loads;
- Rippers that are used to loosen materials that are compacted so that they can be moved more easily; and
- Crawler tracks that allow the vehicle to move over uneven and soft ground.
Safety Practices to prevent Bulldozer Injuries
In order to prevent injuries, it is important for operators to apply safety practices before operating the heavy machinery, during operation, and after operating it. Those include the following:
- Wearing a seatbelt;
- Never operating with passengers;
- Checking coolant and oil levels;
- Always dozing from front to back;
- Avoiding overhead power lines and water mains;
- Lowering the blade after use; and
- Always parking the bulldozer on ground level.
Injuries that most often occur happen when a person is preparing to operate a bulldozer, while operating a bulldozer, or while coming into contact with a bulldozer that is in operation. Common injuries include but are not limited to:
- Bone fractures;
- Crush injuries;
- Severe lacerations;
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries; and
- Traumatic amputations.
Contact a Maryland Construction Work Injury Attorneys for Help
Bulldozer operators and other heavy equipment operators often suffer severe and life-threatening injuries on construction sites. Other construction site workers can also get hurt when they are working near or around heavy equipment. If you were recently injured in a bulldozer accident, or if your spouse or parent suffered fatal injuries in a bulldozer accident, one of the experienced Maryland construction worker injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC can speak with you about your options for seeking compensation. The Maryland workers’ compensation system is usually the quickest way to obtain medical care and wage replacement benefits, and we can begin working with you on your claim today.
Source:
heavyequipmentcollege.edu/bulldozer-safety-tips-for-successful-operation/