Heavy Equipment Failures

Workers in Jackson and across the nation have to use and work around heavy equipment on a daily basis. Since there is little to no room for error where heavy equipment is concerned, proper maintenance and training are important components of a safe workplace. Equally important, heavy equipment should not be defective or malfunctioning in any way. If heavy equipment fails, workers can become catastrophically or fatally injured. Even with training and safety equipment and procedures, workers can become injured if a piece of equipment malfunctions. Manufacturing or design defects can make large pieces of heavy equipment extremely dangerous for anybody to be around.

Heavy Equipment Failure on the Jobsite

Heavy equipment failure on the jobsite is a frightening experience. Everybody deserves to have a safe workplace. When heavy equipment malfunctions or fails, lives are put at risk. There are many safety measures that companies can put into place to improve safety for their workers, but those are almost always focused around machinery and equipment that is performing as it is designed to perform. All bets are off if a piece of heavy equipment was poorly manufactured or designed in a defective way. After any type of workplace injury involving a large piece of heavy machinery, it’s important to speak with a lawyer who has proven product liability case and workplace injury case experience. Listed below are some common injuries caused by heavy equipment failure.

Common Injuries Caused by Heavy Equipment Failure

Heavy Equipment Failure and Inadequate Training 

One of the best ways to improve workplace safety on the jobsite is through comprehensive training for employees. Inadequate training can be a cause for injuries associated with heavy machinery. A heavy machinery operator should always be fully trained and licensed to use that piece of machinery. It’s up to employers to ensure they’re employees are properly trained to use company machinery. If a piece of heavy machinery fails or malfunctions, the best person to have in the driver’s seat is somebody who is fully trained and experienced with the piece of equipment. That being said, even the most well-trained and experienced worker might not be able to safely mitigate a situation when a large piece of heavy machinery fails or malfunctions on the jobsite.

Proper Maintenance for Heavy Equipment Safety

As with any type of machine, proper maintenance is critical for safe and effective operation. If heavy equipment isn’t properly maintained, it’s more likely to fail. Companies need to have procedures and policies in place to ensure their equipment is serviced on a regular basis and in compliance with all manufacturers’ suggestions. If heavy equipment fails due to improper or inadequate maintenance, lives are put at risk. Injuries and deaths caused by equipment failure due to inadequate maintenance are 100-percent preventable. Companies can avoid putting their workers in unnecessary danger by always keeping up with regular maintenance for their heavy equipment.

Heavy Equipment Failure Injuries and Expenses

The injuries associated with heavy equipment failure are often devastating, catastrophic or fatal. Where heavy machinery is involved, the injuries are usually pretty severe. Crushing injuries are very common and can be fatal. They can also lead to limb amputations and disfigurements. The long-term medical care expenses associated with these injuries can also be astronomical. Catastrophic injuries can mean a person can no longer work. Whether you’re out of work temporarily or permanently, the results can leave your family with great difficulty in trying to make ends meet. If you lost a loved one, you will be facing funeral expenses on top of a loss of income.