Three Critical Safety Precautions for Maintaining Diesel Equipment
Diesel engines are favoured for numerous construction and industrial machines. This option is advantageous because diesel motors are more fuel efficient. Also, the engine has greater torque, which is beneficial for high-demand equipment. In addition, maintaining a diesel system is often easier and safer because there are fewer components, and ignition does not depend on sparks. However, the process of servicing heavy equipment can still present significant danger. Here are some essential safety guidelines to keep in mind when maintaining your diesel equipment.
Acquire Suitable Tools
When planning for your maintenance work, you should ensure that you have the appropriate supplies for the specific task. In general, one of the issues which could cause injuries and accidents is the lack of proper tools. For instance, siphoning fluids from the engine by sucking on a tube can cause issues due to accidental swallowing or even prolonged contact with the oral cavity. Therefore, it is important to understand the extent of the problem in your equipment or the nature of servicing work. Then, acquire the recommended items for each process. Do not improvise. Where possible, use personal safety equipment like goggles, respirators and gloves while working.
Allow Time for Cooling
The pieces of diesel equipment used in most commercial and industrial operations tend to run hot. Therefore, it is advisable to plan for maintenance tasks in a manner that minimises the risk of scalding or other injuries. In general, you should allow enough time for the engine to cool after use before attempting any task. This is important even for simple tasks like changing oil because fluid can run hot during operation. Where possible, plan for the maintenance and repair work in your operations before work or on a day when the equipment is not needed.
Plan for Waste Disposal
Managing the waste produced after the maintenance of the equipment is essential for the safety of your workplace. Improper disposal of materials like oil and coolant in your work environment can have a lot of negative consequences. For instance, there will be a higher risk of slippage and skidding. Materials with toxic aspects could cause illnesses due to workers having accidental contact. In addition, most of these types of waste are damaging to the environment, and poor handling has serious legal repercussions. Therefore, dispose of hazardous waste as recommended by your local council.
Maintaining diesel equipment can be challenging. So, if you are not skilled and experienced, consider hiring a diesel mechanic for professional servicing.