Toolbox Topics: Safety for Highway Construction Sites
Highway construction work exposes you to hazards not always found on other construction sites. There are public traffic hazards, trenching and shoring, a lot of heavy equipment, and a variety of other hazards. The following guidelines will help reduce your risk of injury or death when working on these sites:
1. Flaggers must be trained in proper flagging techniques, wear a reflective safety vest, and take extra precautions with the traffic being flagged.
2. Flaggers should stand alone and face traffic. If others are around the flagger, drivers may not see the flagger or may assume that the group is talking and not in control of the work zone.
3. Flaggers should use a long-handled “STOP” or “SLOW” sign or a red flag to control traffic.
4. Workers should always keep a high degree of awareness of both street and work traffic. Audio and visual awareness are both important.
5. Dress for the weather and know where to find shelter. Know how to combat exposure to heat and cold.
6. All trenches and excavations should be properly sloped or shored. Shoring is especially critical due to the superimposed loads of nearby traffic. Know the hazards associated with the trench or excavation.
7. Carbon monoxide levels can be dangerously high from nearby traffic. Be alert to symptoms such as headache and nausea. Get into fresh air at the first indication of these signs.
8. Have available and use proper fall protection when working on bridges over other roadways or water. Know how to set up and use the fall protection. Also be sure to plan for any rescue that may be needed.
9. Work vehicles should be as far from the road as possible. Flashing, rotating, or beacon type “Warning/Caution” lights should be turned on and visible.
10. Be aware of the site conditions where you are working. Watch out for yourself and your co-workers. Highway construction sites can be extremely dangerous and need extra awareness and precautions to be taken to ensure a safe worksite.
About Craig Safety Technologies
Craig Safety Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1998 by Brenda Craig, a leader in industrial safety and safety software. Craig Safety Technologies provides Compliance Safety Manager™, a comprehensive and highly flexible web-based safety compliance management solution created to help companies understand and meet the regulatory requirements of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Craig Safety Technologies, Inc. specializes in providing accountability and risk management for personnel and equipment assets for organizations across multiple industries. Specific CST services include: conducting on-site assessments of compliance readiness; training, documentation; and prescribing and implementing activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations. In 2004, CST delivered one of the industry’s first comprehensive patented software to document DOT and OSHA compliance activities necessary to comply with federal mandates.