10 Summer Construction Safety Tips — For You and Your Equipment

Summer’s a busy season for construction sites with no time for downtime. These safety tips will help keep your team and equipment healthy, safe and on the job.

By Lonnie Fritz, Senior Market Professional – Construction Industries, Caterpillar Inc.

There’s a lot to love about summer: warm temps, plenty of sunshine, long days and your choice of outdoor activities. But on the jobsite, summer’s advantages can quickly turn into disadvantages. Heat-related illness is real, common and can lead to severe complications or even death. Hotter temperatures also cause machines to work harder, stressing components and accelerating wear. How can you keep your people and your fleet safe this summer? Start here:

5 ways to protect your team (and yourself)

1. Eat and drink right. Don’t skip meals or overeat. Your best bet is to eat lighter (no heavy, greasy foods) during the hottest part of the day and aim for eight ounces of cool water every hour.
2. Dress properly. Wear lightweight, light-colored, moisture-wicking clothes — and don’t forget to put on sunscreen and sunglasses.
3. Pay attention to your body. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, tell someone and find a cool, shady spot to rest. Refrain from going in and out of the air-conditioning, which puts more strain on the body. If possible, adjust working hours to the coolest part of the day or to nighttime hours.
4. Know the signs. Heat exhaustion (fatigue, disorientation, nausea, headache, rapid heart rate and clammy skin) can quickly escalate to heat stroke (elevated body temperature, loss of consciousness, convulsions, vomiting and diarrhea). Learn to recognize the signs in yourself and others.
5. Keep an eye on your coworkers. Victims of heat exhaustion or stroke aren’t always aware of what’s happening, so if you see someone struggling, alert a supervisor and call 911 if necessary. Pay special attention to those who are 65 and older, overweight or on medication.

5 ways to protect your machines

1. Beef up inspections. Check hydraulic fluid level, engine oil level, coolant level, radiator cap seal and pressure, hoses, air conditioning, tires and tire pressure every day. Use fluids and lubricants designed for your climate conditions.
2. Clean it up. Remove debris from radiators, cooling systems and engine hood inlets and outlets daily.
3. Talk technique. Encourage operators to shift smoothly, accelerate steadily, turn gradually, travel at controlled speeds and avoid spinning the wheels.
4. Track temperatures and pressures. Telematics data can be a big help in monitoring equipment status, predicting potential problems and planning repairs before failure.
5. Shutdown and store machines correctly. Follow the manufacturers machine shutdown procedures to ensure the machine cools down before shutting off.  Where possible, keep any machines not in use out of the sun in a dry, sheltered area.

During the summertime as we battle the heat and humidity, it’s also a good time to review personal hygiene practices on the jobsite and in the office. So in addition to the above, remember to wash your hands, keep common areas and machines sanitized and stay home if you’re sick. Summer’s a busy season for construction sites with no time for downtime. These safety tips will help keep your team and equipment healthy, safe and on the job.

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5 Tips to Safely Purchase, Handle and Store Diesel Exhaust Fluid This Summer

Five tips to help you safely purchase high-quality, API-certified DEF and to handle and store it in a way that protects it during the warm weather months.

 

June 15, 2020

By Jeffrey Harmening - Equipment Today

DEF is made from a mixture of technically pure urea and purified water and must be handled and stored properly to preserve its quality. Handling and storing DEF in warm weather requires special care to protect it from the impact of high temperatures, which can decrease its useful life. Now with the need for added safety in public places, dispensing DEF at service stations will require extra care.

To ensure that equipment operators and people working in shops are safe, the American Petroleum Institute (API) has developed several tips for equipment operators and for shop owners to help them purchase high-quality DEF in a safe manner and to handle and store it so as to protect it during warm weather months.

1. Purchasing DEF at a Service Station

On the road, one of the main challenges is knowing the actual brand of DEF being sold. While regulations in many states require identifying the manufacturer and brand on receipts, some locations do not include it. API recommends purchasing DEF that is clearly identified at the fill-up location.

In addition, those accustomed to purchasing DEF in containers should look at the expiration date if it’s printed on the bottle and be sure to use it before this date as the product has a limited shelf life. If an expiration date is not present, look at the traceability code for a date. This date is usually equivalent to the packaging date. As a last resort, ask for the most recently delivered DEF products. Storage conditions also have an impact on its quality. DEF can be expected to have a minimum shelf life of 12 months or even longer in optimum conditions.

2. Safely Dispensing DEF

As many gas station and truck stop owners around the country have taken steps to increase the cleaning frequency of the high-touch points, there are recommended practices to help everyone protect themselves at the pump. Consider the following when dispensing DEF or fuel:

• Follow the CDC’s recommendations to clean your hands often, practice social distancing and wear face coverings.
• Consider using gloves or paper towels while touching surfaces.
• Carry hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes with you and use them both before and after fueling.

3. DEF Storage in a Vehicle

Check the label on the bottle for recommended storage temperatures and be sure to look for the API certification mark as well. API recommends that you don’t store DEF for too long in a vehicle, especially if the storage area in the vehicle is routinely hotter than the recommended storage temperatures displayed on the label.

DEF stored at 86° F and above will only last about six months. Exposure to direct sunlight may also decrease the life DEF.

4. Purchasing DEF for Shop Use

API has found that the biggest misconception by fleet managers is the belief that if the urea concentration of their DEF is on spec, then the DEF meets the required quality. While it is true that the concentration is very important, there are many other important quality characteristics built into the ISO 22241 specification in regard to DEF.

Fleet managers responsible for procuring DEF should confirm that their suppliers are providing DEF that meets the ISO quality standard. One way to do this is to ensure that their supplier is providing a Certificate of Analysis (or Quality) with every shipment that addresses all of the quality characteristics that the specification requires.

Purchasing API-licensed DEF is the best way to be sure your DEF meets the rigorous requirements of the specification, because these products are not only tested before they are released to the marketplace, but they are also subject to testing in API’s Aftermarket Audit Program. Fleets and operators can always check to see if the DEF they are buying is licensed by visiting API’s real-time directory of licensees on the API website.

5. Managing DEF in Shops

For shops, the handling, storage and dispensing of DEF is very important so that off-spec DEF doesn’t reach the marketplace. Temperature during transport or at the point of storage or sale can harm the shelf life of DEF sold in containers.

 

Tips for Purchasing and Storing DEF to Preserve Quality

Make sure the stock is rotated to use the oldest product first. Proper storage temperatures in a shop is also vital. Storing in temperatures above 86° F will limit the shelf life of the DEF over time. Some additional things to consider in storing and handing DEF include the following: 

• Bulk storage tanks should be dedicated for DEF. Don’t switch products in the bulk tank without thoroughly rinsing the tank with distilled or de-ionized water or on-spec DEF.
• A closed loop system for transferring DEF from a drum or bulk tank is recommended so contaminants don’t get into the DEF. This is particularly important in a shop or construction site that has dust or dirt in the air.
• Use dedicated equipment for dispensing DEF. Don’t use funnels, pitchers, hoses, etc. that are used for other fluids when putting DEF in a tank.
• Anything used for dispensing DEF should be cleaned with distilled or de-ionized water and followed by a DEF rinse. Don’t use tap water for cleaning.

 

For shops and operators, it’s important to know what you are putting into your DEF tank. The quality of the DEF going into your equipment is as important as the quality of the engine oils or fuels used in your equipment. Use of API-licensed diesel exhaust fluid will ensure that the DEF meets the high standards required by engine and vehicle manufacturers.

 

Jeffrey Harmening is manager-EOLCS/DEF/MOM for the American Petroleum Institute.

Troubleshooting 5 Common Decorative Concrete Sealer Problems 

STIHL Chain Saw Safety, Operation and Maintenance Videos

Tips for Tree Care and Storms: Before, During and After

By Mark Chisholm, certified arborist

As a third-generation arborist and three-time world tree-climbing champion, I've learned firsthand that trees are much more vulnerable than we assume. A tree might seem like it would be able to sustain the forces of a large storm, but sometimes internal damage is just too difficult to see. Ultimately, you want to be prepared before, during and after any storm – big or small.

Here are my Top Ten Tips for Weathering Storm Season:

Before the storm:

1. Develop a relationship with a certified arborist or tree care professional.
   This will give you time to pick and choose the right company in your area. When a storm hits, you'll likely be prioritized as an existing customer. Here are 10 questions you should ask when interviewing tree service companies.

2. Conduct a pre-storm assessment. Identify trouble spots before a storm hits.
   Some potential hazards to look for on your property:

   • Cracks in tree trunks or major limbs
   • Hollow, aged and decayed trees
   • One-sided or significantly leaning trees
   • Branches leaning more than 45 degrees over the roof
   • Anything in close proximity to utility lines
   • Shelf-like fungus or mushrooms
   • Trees with dangerous leans

*Note: Several of these features may suggest that the tree may be suffering from a condition called heart rot or possibly buckling under its own weight, and causing danger.

3. Take measures to prevent damage.
   After assessing possible hazards to your property, you and/or your arborist may need to take any number of measures to limit potential damage.

   • Remove dead, diseased or damaged limbs
   • Have leaning trees inspected and consider removing those with large cavities
   • Prune branches too close to your house and over the street
   • Check your gutters, and remove debris to prevent water damage. Many STIHL blowers can use optional gutter attachments.
   • Call a professional to assess and potentially remove any within close proximity to utility lines; DO NOT attempt to do this yourself

 

During the storm:

4. Don't try to be a hero.
   Your property is not more important than your life and the lives of your loved ones. Prepare in advance, follow guidelines for evacuations, and don't hesitate to get assistance.

After The Storm:

5. Put safety first.
   It's important to protect yourself as well as your property.

   • Be on the alert. Stay away from utility lines and keep an eye out for dangers both up in hanging branches and down on damaged trunks.
   • Broken limbs may still be lodged in trees, but can easily and unexpectedly fall. Loggers call these "widow-makers."
   • Look for trees leaning against or touching downed phone lines or power lines– a tree in contact with a power line, and the ground at the base of the tree, can be energized and dangerous.
   • When in doubt, call your arborist (See #8 below)
   • If you're skilled enough to do work yourself, suit up properly, wear the properattire and protective equipment. Many times we see newscasts of people wearing shorts and flip-flops to clean up storm damage. This is not what you should be wearing to do this type of work.
   • Follow the guidelines in your instruction manual for any power equipment you're using.

 

6. Evaluate tree damage.
   Evaluate your trees carefully by asking the following:

   • Other than storm damage, is the tree basically healthy?
   • Are major limbs and/or the leader branch still remaining?
   • Is at least 50 percent of the tree's crown still intact?
   • Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure?
   If you answer "yes" to the majority of these questions, there is a good chance the tree can be saved. When in doubt, consult a professional.

7. Take Steps to Repair Minor Damage & Debris.

   • Remove any broken branches or stubs still attached to the tree.
   • Remove jagged remains of limbs to reduce the risk of decay agents entering the wound.
   • Smaller branches should be pruned at the point where they join larger ones.
   • Resist the urge to over-prune. Don't worry if the tree's appearance is not perfect.

8. Do not try to do it all yourself.
   Evaluate what you can handle and what's for a pro – anything not on the ground should definitely be handled by a professional. Some of these things could be a threat to your life, so it makes sense to spend the money if you're not absolutely confident in your skills or if any of the below situations apply:

   • Large limbs are broken or hanging or overhead chainsaw work is needed.
   • If a tree is uprooted or downed, it can create an unnatural pattern of pressure points and tension. A chainsaw operator may be in severe danger if attempting to cut a tensioned limb or trunk (called a "springpole") – it may have an extremely violent, catapult-like reaction.
   • If branches are too close or touching utility lines, report immediately to your local utility company. NEVER attempt to move downed utility lines.
   • Any task you have not been properly trained to handle or are uncomfortable undertaking.

9. Consider wildlife.
   Birds or bees may have been taking temporary storm shelter while you are doing work – always proceed with caution.

10. Stay educated.
    Learn more tips on tree safety, chainsaw safety, finding a tree care professional, and how to prepare for storms at the following websites:

    • www.TreesAreGood.org
    • www.TreeCareTips.org
    • www.Treebuzz.com

How do I pair a remote trailer mounted power module?  Watch the manufacturer's video here.

Higher Ethanol Blends can Damage your STIHL Equipment

STIHL equipment was made to run on fuel containing no more than 10 percent ethanol. The same fuel you put in your car may not be the same fuel meant for your chain saw, trimmer, blower, or other STIHL landscape equipment.

What is the Difference Between E10, E15 and E85 Gasoline?

Today, there are more fuel choices for consumers than ever before.No longer can anyone go to a gas station and assume the fuel from the pump is safe and legal for all engines. Most fuel sold today at gas stations for automobiles and outdoor power equipment contains up to 10 percent ethanol (E10). However, in the past year, more gas stations are selling ethanol fuel blends greater than 10 percent – such as E15 and E85. STIHL outdoor power equipment is not made for ethanol blends higher than 10% ethanol or E10.

Don’t Pump the Wrong Fuel

In the past, consumers were physically kept from selecting the wrong fuel – with diesel you have to use a different pump, for example. This isn’t the case now as blender pumps, which dispense various ethanol fuel blends, become more widely available. The EPA has stated E15 and higher is not legal for use in off-road engine products, and only legal for a subset of automobiles. Yet, the only warning against “mis-fueling” is a small 3x5 pump label. Double-check the pump to make sure you put the right fuel in the right engine.
 

Why Are There So Many Different Fuels?

In an effort to meet federal renewable fuel standards, higher ethanol blends are being brought to market. When a small number of retail gas stations in select U.S. states began offering E15 and higher ethanol blends for sale in 2012, we at STIHL grew concerned. We want to protect our customers and future customers from inadvertently damaging their equipment by using the wrong fuel. 

Most people believe any fuel sold at a gas station or other retail fuel station is likely legal and safe for any engine product. This is not true, and STIHL owners need to become aware of the fuel for which their equipment was designed, built and warranted – and use only that fuel.
 

To help keep your STIHL running strong

• Avoid E15 gasoline – too much ethanol can damage engine components
• Use a minimum of 89-octane gasoline.
• Use fresh fuel – Buy enough fuel to only last a two-month period (at most).
• STIHL recommends STIHL MotoMix® Patented Premixed Fuel a pure and stable fuel mixture that can be stored for up to two years in its original container.

Hard hat manufacturers recommend replacing hats every 4-5 years…even when they seem to be  undamaged!

SpecChem published the following document on Cold Weather Grouting and Repair

Cold temperatures delay set time and strength development of cementitious products and repair mortars. Cementitious grout and repair mortars, like concrete, must be allowed to attain a "green strength" before being subjected to freezing temperatures. The following guidelines may help compensate for cold temperature placement.

Click her to read the full article.

Take Your Office to the Construction Site with these Smartphone and Tablet Applications
By Keith Gribbins — Aug 02, 2013 Compact Equipment Magazine

Contractors are natural nomads. Each new job usually means exploring a new neck of the woods, always working in unique project parameters (from ground conditions and traffic control to equipment needs and zoning restrictions). For these rolling stones, the office has always been on site, in a truck or in the cab of piece of equipment. In the past, there might have been a disconnect between the bookwork and business of managing contract specifics and the actual administration and construction of a project on site. With the advent of laptops and cellphones, that information gap for on-the-road construction contractors, landscapers and farmers has shrunk considerably. 
 
For high-tech equipment professionals today, something as small as a smartphone or tablet can take the mobile office to new dimensions of efficiency and portability. Everything from equipment maintenance to worker timesheets to government safety regulations can be managed using innovative and user-friendly software designed specifically for your mobile devices. These software solutions for smartphones and tablets are called “apps” (short for applications), and the professional equipment and contracting industries are full of them (half the time they’re free). On the next few pages, we’ve collected a few of our favorites. Feel free to download these apps yourselves, and see if they can really help streamline your mobile contracting operations.   

Keith Gribbins is managing editor of Compact Equipment, based in Brecksville, Ohio.

We have listed below two of the apps that we thought would be useful to our customers.

NIOSH Ladder Safety
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced the availability of a new Ladder Safety smartphone application. This new app uses visual and audio signals to make it easier for workers using extension ladders to check the angle the ladder is positioned at, as well as access useful tips for using extension ladders safely. The app is available for free download for both iPhone and Android devices. The app provides feedback to the user on positioning the extension ladder at the optimal angle. It also provides references and a safety guide for extension ladder selection, inspection, accessorizing and use. The app is based on a multimodal inclination indicator for ladder positioning that has been recently awarded a U.S. patent. For more info, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls.

OSHA’s Heat Safety Tool 
When you’re working in the heat, safety comes first. With the OSHA Heat Safety Tool, you have vital safety information available whenever and wherever you need it — right on your mobile phone. This app allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. Then, with a simple click, you can get reminders about the protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness, as well as reminders about drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, adjusting work operations, gradually building up the workload for new workers, training on heat illness signs and symptoms and monitoring each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. For more info, visitwww.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_app.html.

The information above is from the current edition of Compact Equipment Magazine.

The Compact Equipment Magazine had the following article on Take Care of Your Tires posted on their website

Proper Tire Maintenance Will Keep Your Fleet Operating at Maximum Efficiency
Michael Ford — Jul 01, 2005

Tires are an afterthought to many contractors and operators. They take them for granted, don’t maintain them properly and yell and scream when a flat tire causes one of their machines to go down and lose productivity. Many times, however, these problems are completely avoidable through proper tire maintenance.

Contractors who take care of their tires can see the results in increased profits because their machines aren’t offline. A more comfortable ride equates to a more productive employee, not to mention that maintained tires are safer.

There are several things an operator can do to maximize the tire’s life. The most important steps are to select the best tire for the application, run the manufacturer’s recommended air pressures and follow a recommended tire maintenance schedule. Making sure your machine operators are properly trained and that hazards around the worksite are minimized are two other, often overlooked steps that will make a big difference in maximizing the life of your tires. A daily, weekly, quarterly and annual maintenance routine for skid steer tires is a must.

Small construction tires can be relatively simple to maintain if the operator follows the basic rules. Check tire pressures weekly and always at the start of a work shift to ensure the pressure readings are correct, always have valve caps in place and ensure that tire rims are in proper working condition.

The estimated industry average for skid steer tread life is between 400 and 600 hours, depending on the application, operator skill and tire maintenance schedule. Abrasive surfaces, such as concrete and asphalt, and work areas with severe hazards, such as waste transfer, demolition and metal recycling, will result in faster worn tires.

That’s why it’s important to choose the correct tire for your skid steer.

The main options center around traction vs. protection. Entry-level priced tires are traction oriented with little protection in the sidewall or tread. As price increases, so does the amount of sidewall and tread face protection while maintaining traction.

The way your skid steer is running can tell you a lot about your tires. If the tires are over-inflated, the machine will bounce like a basketball and be difficult to control. If the tires are under-inflated, the machine will feel unstable when the loader arms are lifted to full height.

So what can operators do to ensure that they are getting the most out of their tires? The answer is simple: Evaluate tire wear on a routine basis.

There are two areas to look at when evaluating tire wear — the tread and the sidewall. Look for signs of cutting, chunking, punctures and rubber tearing. This will help you to determine if the tire is properly inflated and/or matched to the application. Also, measure the tread depth on a weekly or monthly basis by using a ruler or tread depth gauge to determine the average wear rate. Compare this wear rate to other tires and machines.

And always remember that if you work on your own tires, the most critical element is to ensure the tire is fully deflated before working on the tire. After removing the valve cap and valve core to deflate the tire, continue to ensure the valve is free of obstructions so that the air inside can fully deflate.

But what about those who still don’t take tire maintenance seriously?
 

If proper tire maintenance is not a priority, an operator is virtually guaranteeing he will reduce the tire’s tread life, increase the likelihood of tire-related failures (punctures, running flat, etc.), reduce the machine’s productivity and unnecessarily cost the company money. Not only do you have to pay to repair or replace the tire, but you lose the productivity of that machine, which also costs your company money.”
 

10 Tire Maintenance Tips:

There is no time like the present to start following important maintenance tips to ensure your tires operate at peak levels throughout any season. The key is checking tires regularly. Routine maintenance reduces downtime, eliminates preventable major repairs, improves operating efficiency and promotes higher levels of productivity. Simply translated, 10 simple steps can save you considerable time and money.

Step 1
Conduct a visual inspection of your vehicle’s tires prior to operation. Look for signs of irregular wear in the tread or shoulder of the tire and examine the tire for bubbles 
or bumps caused by air infiltration or foreign objects. If you notice either of these symptoms, have the tire repaired promptly because both can lead to tire failure and potential danger.

Step 2
If you notice deep cracks, cuts or other major problems during the inspection, don’t operate the vehicle. Have a trained service person diagnose the severity of the problem and make the proper repairs. Never allow an unskilled person to attempt repairs because incorrectly mended tires can lead to performance problems in the future or even result in personal injury if the tire fails.

Step 3
Check tires for correct air pressures. Perform this step daily on vehicles in constant use because air pressure is critical to a tire’s performance. Check air pressure weekly on vehicles with less demanding schedules.

Step 4 
Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine precise air pressure. It should provide initial data on the weight of the vehicle and standard load. Your tire distributor can help pinpoint the exact air pressure recommendations for your tires based on the manufacturer’s requirements and the application in which the vehicle is being used.

Step 5 
Never operate a vehicle that has flat tires, damaged or distorted rims or wheels, missing bolts or cracked studs. Any of these symptoms could be dangerous.

Step 6
Never weld or apply heat to parts of the wheel near the tire. Heat causes serious damage to tires and can cause them to explode. Tires always should be removed before these types of procedures are conducted.

Step 7
Store tires properly when they are not in use. Place them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to avoid premature aging. Also, prevent exposure to ozone sources such as sun, arc-welders and mercury vapor light bulbs, as well as ultraviolet rays and inclement weather. Store tires standing upright on the tread and avoid stacking, which can weaken the tires on the bottom of the stack.

Step 8 
Avoid lifting tires through the center with a crane hook, because this can damage the critical bead area. Instead, lift the tire under the tread by using flat straps. Flat straps are recommended over steel slings or chains because they will not cause cuts or abrasions.

Step 9 
Deflate the inner and outer tires of a twin fitment before removing any rim fixture from the hub of the vehicle.

Step 10 
Avoid mixing tires on your vehicle — for example, pairing a normal tread depth with a deep tread depth or a bias-ply tire with a radial. Using two different types of tires could cause damage to the vehicle’s internal components because the tires do not work together to provide the same traction and handling performance.

Proper tire maintenance impacts the entire jobsite by keeping fleets operating at maximum efficiency. By following these 10 simple steps, your operation can take advantage of its tire investment and boost productivity levels.

Michael Ford is the market segment manager at Michelin Earthmover, Greenville, S.C.

The September 2012 Compact Equipment Magazine had the following article on selecting a portable air compressor

The June 2012 Compact Equipment Magazine had the following article on track loader maintenance

A recent article from September 2011 Compact Equipment Magazine had the following article on using a Hole Digger

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