Industrial vacuum trucks and hydro excavators are put to work every day in some of the most demanding settings, which is why it is important to have thorough training and to follow safety guidelines.
Before starting any job in adverse conditions, the experts at manufacturer Guzzler suggest the following tips:
Protection. Operators should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Depending on the job, this may include gloves, eye protection and respiratory gear. The right PPE protects operators from all types of hazardous materials by creating a barrier between the operator and the materials at that site.
Handling hazardous materials. Be sure to properly label, handle and dispose of hazardous materials, i.e. chemicals, debris and oil. Doing so reduces the risk to the operator, crewmates and the environment. It’s important to strictly follow safety guidelines for these materials.
Stable ground. Uneven terrain and unstable surfaces can lead to accidents or even tipping. Assess ground conditions before setting up. Maintaining a level surface is a safety measure.
Do not overfill. Exceeding maximum limits for the tank of a vacuum truck can cause spills and create a safety hazard for people and the environment. Know the capacity limits, monitor tank levels and follow procedures for safety’s sake.
When something goes wrong. Have an emergency response plan, and train your operators how to respond to accidents, spills or equipment failures. It sounds simple, but in a crisis situation, every second counts and people get stressed. It’s important for them to understand and practice in advance how to shut down the equipment and follow emergency procedures.
Based in Streator, Ill., Guzzler, a subsidiary of Federal Signal Corp., manufactures industrial vacuum loaders and equipment. Its trucks are designed to vacuum everything from solids and dry bulk powders to liquids, slurries and thick sludge.
