With major advancements in technology, the bulldozer has gone from being a simple tool designed to plow fields to a much more robust piece of construction. Since these are such massive machines, they also present a good amount of risk to any user who does not take extra precaution when operating one. Should an injury of some kind occur, our team of attorneys well-versed in worker injury laws and construction accidents can be of assistance if you live in the greater Indianapolis area.

Let’s take a moment right now to consider bulldozer accidents at workplaces and what can be done to improve safety at a worksite.

Common Kinds of Bulldozer Accidents

The most common forms of accidents due to bulldozers include:

• Rollovers
• Runovers
• Falls

Factors That Contribute to Bulldozer Accidents

There are a number of factors that can contribute to an accident, regardless of how trained an operator may be. In instances of limited visibility, the operator is at risk to driving too close to a ledge or a ditch and put other workers in the area at risk for one of the aforementioned accidents. Sometimes worksites themselves may be poorly managed and pose major hazards to bulldozer operators. In such cases, the company or supervisors need to be held accountable.

Improving Safety While Operating a Bulldozer

Here are a few things you should be mindful of when operating a bulldozer.

• Do not operate a bulldozer unless you are fully trained and licensed: Unlike other pieces of machinery, a bulldozer is not the kind of machine that anyone can or should operate. Bulldozers should only be operated by experienced workers, or heavily supervised by one.
• Do not ignore your seatbelt: While it may seem silly, your seatbelt may prevent you from additional risks due to construction accidents.
• Do not operate a bulldozer in a heavily populated area: This includes areas that are heavily cluttered by other construction materials.

Checking Terrain and the Equipment Itself

When conducting inspections of your bulldozer, be mindful of power lines above your machine and ditches that may potentially be under your machine, as these put you at additional risk for injury on the construction site.

Before starting your job, ensure that all parts of the bulldozer work properly, including the horn. This will ensure that if you do experience an incident while operating a bulldozer, you will be able to communicate that effectively to others on your construction site.

Companies Should Ensure Proper Training of Drivers

There are many bulldozer schools that offer specialized training to ensure that you can properly operate a piece of machinery as robust as a bulldozer without causing yourself or those around you any undue risk. A great professional heavy equipment school in your area is a simple search away, and managers of worksites should be able to assist in training as well.

Our Attorneys Are Here for You

If you or a loved one is injured as a result of a bulldozer accident while on the job, it’s important that you get skilled legal help on your side. We encourage you to contact our construction accident attorneys today. The team at Golitko & Daly will help you in your time of legal need.