5 Effective Strategies to Manage Construction Equipment

Any large-scale construction projects involve far more than simply preparing the ground and erecting buildings. One major challenge that any larger project faces is the management of construction equipment, particularly heavy machinery. Also known as “plant,” the management and use of heavy equipment pose unique problems, including storage, safety, and of course, a cost-effective method of procurement.

In this article, we’ll look at five strategies or approaches to equipment management on the construction site. Rather than forming one comprehensive list, these are effective strategies for addressing some of the challenges managing plant poses for large-scale construction sites.

Keep an eye on safety

All construction projects have extensive legal requirements they must meet. Beyond those requirements, the risks posed by heavy construction equipment are substantial. Approaching construction management with an eye towards safety can reduce the risks of injury, and also provide a framework for decision-making.

Two basic principles apply here:

• 1: Safety training

  It isn’t enough to have employees who know how to use their equipment well; they need to know how to use it safely, also. Investing the proper time and resources into appropriate safety training pays dividends and contributes to the smooth running of an entire construction project.

• 2: Proper maintenance

  While proper training helps to ensure the quality of your operators, proper maintenance is vital to preserving the quality of your equipment. This goes double if you own your own plant, rather than rent it – the extra time spent in proper maintenance can extend the life of your equipment, as well as limiting unnecessary downtime in the course of a project.

Utilize management software

Management software allows companies to oversee every aspect of a given project – including their heavy equipment. This allows oversight of all associated costs, including hard-to-quantify costs like storage, transport, and insurance for your heavy equipment. Closer scrutiny of those costs allows a more accurate analysis of the true expenditure for a given project, helping you to deliver more accurate estimates down the road.

Rent, not buy

While buying your own plant may seem like the logical step, renting your equipment for a given project offers a number of advantages. First, the costs are easier to quantify; there’s a certain amount for the rental, and any additional insurance and transport costs will be covered in the rental agreement.

Second, rented equipment tends to be newer, and should have clear maintenance records. It may also be more efficient, leading to a quicker overall project. Of course, that advantage must be weighed against the higher up-front costs of renting equipment.

Third, renting your construction equipment gives you great control over the scale of your fleet. If a project requires more equipment, you can easily obtain more – without the commitment of purchasing an expensive piece of heavy machinery.

Train to high levels

As mentioned, train your employees for both safety and knowledgeability. Your end goal is highly-trained, conscientious workers. Such workers can extend the life of your equipment, avoid unnecessary breakdowns and repairs, and use the equipment efficiently on-site, thereby speeding up your projects.

Manage your management team

Finally, proper construction equipment management relies heavily on your management team. Poor management can lead to the abuse of valuable equipment in an effort to make up for lost time.

Proper equipment management involves more than a single person. It relies on close communication between project managers and the equipment or logistics managers. Good communication minimizes mistakes and downtime, ensuring that your equipment is delivered and operates smoothly.

Above all, effective heavy equipment management requires planning – and the use of these strategies to guide your approach.

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