Preparing Heavy Equipment For Storms

Companies that offer heavy equipment rental services in the Philippines -- or any construction firm in the country for that matter -- are all familiar with the hazards that construction equipment can face during the typhoon season. In the Philippines, this is usually between the months of June and November, though many devastating typhoons still enter the country even on other months.

Needless to say, storms can happen at any time of the year, and it’s the construction company’s responsibility to be prepared for it. 

These are some important precautions that must be observed to ensure the safety of the heavy equipment, and by extension, everyone working on the site. 

Shut The Site Down

Having anyone occupying the construction site during the storm itself is too dangerous for everybody. It is better for everyone’s sake if you pause operations for the day or until the typhoon is over. Stopping work will also reduce the risk of heavy equipment accidents due to loss of vision, unstable terrain, and the like. 

Secure The Equipment

Heavy equipment may be large and hefty, but they can still topple over, get hit by flying debris, or get buried by landslides. 

If there is no time to transport them to a more secure location, then the next thing you can do is to protect the equipment as best as you can from the incoming elements.  You can remove the fuel from the gas tanks, tie down machinery, and place protective covering over the more valuable equipment. 

Pack up Materials and Debris

Strong winds and floods  are very much capable of blowing or carrying away heavy objects -- which can damage your heavy equipment and the construction project itself.  Minimize this hazard by cleaning up as much as you can before the storm comes in. Tie up and store building materials in a dry area where both wind and water can’t get to them. 

Update the Inventory List

Salvaging incidents are very common after storms.  Having an updated list of your heavy equipment and materials will help your staff immediately identify if there is anything missing or damaged from your current inventory after the typhoon has passed.  

Preparation Helps Protect

For general construction firms or even those that only provide construction equipment rentals in the Philippines, it always pays to be prepared for any natural disasters, especially in a climate like ours. Should you be renting your heavy equipment, make sure it is with a company that has a disaster management plan for their fleet.