This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast focuses on heavy equipment safety in Ontario’s aggregate industry and features Ryan Smith, Health and Safety Consultant at IHSA.
Ryan discusses the key hazards associated with working around heavy equipment, including blind spots, pedestrian interactions, unstable ground conditions, stockpiles, articulated equipment, and heavy equipment right-of-way. He highlights the importance of equipment-specific training, pre-shift inspections, preventative maintenance, and effective communication in preventing incidents.
Ryan also explores how emerging technologies, such as proximity warning systems, fatigue detection tools, autonomous equipment, improved cab filtration, and automatic greasing systems, are helping improve worker safety.
Ryan highlights broader industry challenges, including exposure to silica and diesel exhaust, slips, trips and falls, and labour shortages. He emphasizes that building a strong safety culture, providing comprehensive training, encouraging proactive hazard reporting, and continuously identifying ways to improve are essential to creating safer aggregate workplaces.
Free resources
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