Safety Tidbit 8.04 – Staying Safe Next to Highways

Safety Tidbit 8.04 – Staying Safe Next to Highways

 

Reference:       Baseline Equipment Company – 10 Road Construction Safety Tips

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Mr. Tyler Beck– a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2023.

 

Working in lane closures or next to the highway is a hazardous task, and there are certain precautions to take to prevent workers from getting injured. There are roughly 20,000 workers who get injured each year from accidents that occur in the work zone, according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Vehicle accidents contribute to about 65% of roadway worker fatalities. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has developed different regulations and standards to help create the safest workplace possible while working near the highway.

 

Some tips that should be considered when working on highway construction are listed below:

·      Wear High-Visibility Clothing that complies with American National Standards Institute (ANSI): Vests, Leg Garments, Armbands, etc.

·      Go through JSAs before each shift. Locate the potential hazards in the workplace and talk them through with the workers before they go to the site and begin the work.

·      Drive through the worksite before each shift to ensure the existing lane setup is intact and no cones are knocked down or in the wrong position.

·      Always use a spotter to ensure no equipment will run into people or onto oncoming traffic. The spotter should be trained and have spotter equipment.

·      Know and understand communication signals. All workers should know the communication signals so there will be no miscommunication while working.

·      Exercise caution when working near oncoming traffic and other work equipment. Have the equipment in control and move slower than out in the open.

·      Make eye contact before approaching the work zone if the equipment is running. This will let the equipment operator know that you are approaching, and they will see you, preventing an accident.

·      Have multiple signs and reflectors to notify the oncoming traffic that there is work ahead and to slow down.

·      Have different foremen and supervisors for traffic control and the actual work that is being done on the site.

·      Another essential tip that works very well is using the robot cop car. This gives virtual tickets to vehicles that speed in the work zone. This has prevented many vehicles from speeding and driving recklessly through construction zones.

 

The tips above are all preventative measures to create a safer work environment and keep the worker safe. Highway construction is unpredictable because the people working cannot control what the drivers on the other side of the cones are doing. The best thing that the workers can do is prepare for the worst. Have the plan to set up the workplace to prevent the workers from getting any injury.

 

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. Please let me know if you have a new safety or health question.