Regardless of the job or equipment, being safe should always be the highest priority for any company and its crew. Operating heavy machinery like a digger derrick that weighs a ton and is capable of digging and drilling through earth and rock as well as lifting tons of material presents a constant risk for serious accidents or injuries. Unfortunately, crew members are killed on the job every year in what are often preventable accidents. It is so critical that operators understand and abide by all safety precautions when using any commercial equipment, even during maintenance; this is the first step in its safe operation.

Daily Inspections - Keeping a keen eye out for wear and tear and anything out of the ordinary is an important part of the daily operation of a digger derrick. There is no room for assumptions, as this can cause costly mistakes. Operators should inspect the vehicles prior to, and at the end of, every use. Visual and mechanical signs of wear or the need for repairs should be immediately documented and performed before any unit is deployed to a job site again. Mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and all other systems should be tested and any lack of performance noted, as that could be the first sign of some type of failure. Also, it should never be assumed that because someone else inspected a unit at the end of the prior day it is not necessary to not inspect it again in the morning. It is all too easy for an error to happen or a detail missed.

Record Keeping - Failure to keep good maintenance and inspection records can also be a serious mistake when it comes to safety and keeping vehicles in good, working condition. Having a record of all repairs and routine maintenance, as well as daily inspections, can tell a lot about a vehicle, such as whether or not it needs something more than just a simple tune-up or adjustment, as well as enabling the crew to keep a maintenance schedule.

Vehicle Limitations - Of key importance when it comes to safe operations and keeping a vehicle free of damage is to know its limits. Every unit is built to work within specific conditions, including capacity to dig, drill, lift and carry. To go beyond such limits and ask more of the equipment puts operators at risk, not only for a serious accident but for extensive damage to the unit as well, which can be an expensive consequence. Operators should know where to find this information about their vehicle and how to work within such limitations.

Maintenance and Repair - The purpose of keeping accurate maintenance records is done to indicate when routine maintenance is due. Putting off regular preventive maintenance is inviting an accident; as maintenance schedules are developed specifically to keep vehicles in good overall condition so that items that experience heavy wear can be taken care of before completely worn out and cause failure. There is no valid reason to bypass or delay routine maintenance on any type of equipment.

Safety Equipment - Besides maintaining the vehicle itself, it is also important to keep all safety equipment accounted for and in good condition. Stickers on the vehicle indicating caution areas or operator gear should be visible and taken care of just like any other routine maintenance. When performing regular vehicle inspections, all safety equipment should be inspected as well.

Through proper maintenance and daily equipment inspections, it is possible to keep accident and injury rates low. In return for such an effort, companies will have better efficiency, a safer track record, and a better reputation, all of which translate into more work for the company as a whole and better compensation for employees. Supervisors and company owners should insist on proper safety and maintenance from all employees, knowing that the crew is performing all required inspections and equipment maintenance!