Eiffel 101: Pile Hammer Safety Checklist

Before operating a pile hammer, the following steps should be taken to ensure the machinery is in good working order and that all workers understand proper procedures to avoid injury.

Pile Hammer Safety Checklist: Before Beginning

Before beginning a project there are a few initial steps that should be taken to ensure everyone understands the objective and what to do in case of emergency.

• Check that a first-aid kit is onsite and fully stocked.

• Ensure that at least one employee is trained in first-aid in case of emergency.

• Research and provide clear, written directions to the nearest hospital in case of emergency.

• Provide the phone numbers of people who should be contacted if an accident occurs.

• Meet with employees to explain the safety rules. Print out a copy of the rules for the employees to take home and review.

• Have the superintendent review the project’s safety information and operating plan.

Pile Hammer Safety Checklist: Site Conditions

Site conditions play a large role in the overall safety of a pile hammer’s working environment. Before operating a pile hammer, take the following steps.

• Keep work areas free of loose materials or debris.

• Walkways that are more than four feet off the ground or in a hazardous location should feature a secure handrail with a toe board.

• Drain any muddy area onsite (when possible) and provide plank runways across trenches if necessary.

• Sand slippery walkways.

• Salt walkways in freezing weather.

• If night work is to occur, construction areas should be properly lit.

Pile Hammer Safety Checklist: Operating a Pile Hammer Safely

Before operating a pile hammer, take these steps to ensure the machinery is in good order and to avoid worker injury.

• Read the operator’s manual for your hammer to ensure proper assembly, disassembly and operation.

• When lifting piles with a pile hammer, ensure that the connection between the rigging and the pile hammer is strong enough for the task.

• Check that all bolts on the hammer are properly tightened.

• Inspect the hammer before each shift and periodically during the shift for bolts that may come loose.

• Ensure the hammer cushion is large enough and that there are no cracks in the hammer components.

• Wear hearing protection when the hammer is operating.

• When working on the hammer in the leads, ensure that all tools used have been retrieved and returned to the ground.

• When the hammer is operating maintain a safe working distance from the pile and leads.

• Never stand under the hammer or pile.

• When transporting a hammer in the leads, remove the drive cap assembly from the hammer and bind hammer so that the piston cannot come out of the cylinder.

• Ensure the hammer is adequately restrained from downward movement in the leads when working under the hammer.

• Ensure hammer remains on the pile throughout installation.

• Never leave a running hammer unattended.

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