This presentation discusses hazards faced by workers in road construction zones and measures to improve their safety. It notes that over 600 road construction workers are killed annually in the US, mostly from vehicles or equipment. Common causes of death include workers being struck while on foot, especially by backing vehicles. The presentation covers traffic control plans, high visibility clothing, blind spots of vehicles and equipment, and risks of low light conditions. It emphasizes keeping workers separated from traffic and developing zone plans to minimize backing.
The distribution of work zone deaths by occupation, based on data published by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health/Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NIOSH/CDC) from 1992 to 1999 indicates that the employee classifications with the largest portions of deaths involved construction laborers and trades persons. This may be attributed to their type of work activities, as well as the location and environment in which they work.
A review of historic data from 1992 to 2002 indicate that some events are associated with higher incidence of H&SC worker fatalities, based on the 1992 to 2002 data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The higher risk activities include highway transportation incidents, contacts with objects and equipment and collisions between vehicles. The remaining factors account for 5 percent or less of the highway and street construction worker fatalities and are not associated with high risk.
This illustration demonstrates various improper attire and lack of personal protective equipment of highway workers on the job sites including: (1) lack of steel-toed boots as shown in the upper left photograph, (2) lack of safety vest and standing inattentively in a traffic lanes as shown in the upper right photograph and (3) lack of proper clothing (shirts) in addition to other PPEs such as hard hats, etc., as shown in the bottom photograph.
This illustration demonstrates various improper flagging techniques including: (1) flagger not holding the sign so that the message can be read by the motorists (sign turned to the side) and is also standing unnecessarily in the travel lanes, as shown in the upper left photograph, (2) flagger is directing traffic improperly by sitting in the back of a pick-up truck, as shown in the upper right photograph, and (3) flagger has his back toward traffic, as shown in the bottom center photograph. Additionally, in all of the photographs, the flaggers are not wearing hard hats.
This slide illustrates a situation where a worker is partially located in the traffic lane, in a kneeling position that does not allow him to respond quickly in an emergency situation. Additionally, the worker does not seem to be aware that a large truck is approaching most likely at a high speed, which puts him at very high risk. The truck already appears to be traveling on the shoulder to avoid hitting the worker. This example demonstrates a very high risk situation.
This slide illustrates situations where workers must perform their work activities in close proximity to heavy equipment, which may be moving or stationary. Workers must be aware of potential hazards when working near heavy equipment. Loose clothing/jewelry may get stuck in the equipment, workers may get caught in the equipment if not paying full attention, or a slip/fall may result in a severe injury while working near to such heavy equipment. Thus caution must be exercised to prevent such incidents from occurring.
This slide illustrates a situation where a worker is located in an extremely confined space, a possible pinch point, between large equipment and a barrier wall. In such a situation, the worker should perform the specific duty promptly, and coordinate and stay in constant communication with the equipment operator until he is out of the pinch point. Any unexpected movement of the equipment could cause the worker his life, since he does not have any place to escape to.
This illustrates hazards related to visibility issues within a work zone. The top photograph demonstrates that workers may not be visible when working in the shadow of a truck, even during the day time. If workers cannot be seen by the truck drivers, they may be at risk of being struck. A high visibility vest would improve the visibility of this worker. Additionally, the worker should stay in communication with the vehicle operators to further ensure his safety.
The bottom photograph shows night work being conducted, where a group of workers are wearing reflectorized safety vests and are clearly visible to the oncoming trucks. However, one of the workers is not wearing high visibility clothing and may not be visible. Additionally, the workers at this job site are not wearing hard hats, which is not a safe practice.
This illustrates hazards associated with impaired vision of trucks and equipment. If the windshield is broken, the operator may not be able to see other workers in the area and other hazardous situations, and may put many people in unnecessary danger. The equipment should be inspected for damages, before it is used. If damages are detected, the equipment should not be used until it is repaired.
This illustrates various equipment rollovers and the inherent danger to the operators within the cabs, as well as any workers nearby. These rollover accidents may be related to unstable soils/surfaces, uneven loads in dump trucks, equipment being operated at excessive speeds, and other improper operation.
This illustrates hazards with trucks and other equipment coming in contact with overhead power lines, which is an extremely dangerous situation. The truck/equipment run the risk of being electrocuted, as well as any workers nearby. All workers should know the proper actions to take if a power line is hit, else they may be fatally electrocuted.
This illustrates how problems may arise due to undesignated parking areas for workers personal vehicles. In the planning stages, areas for parking should be identified and all workers should be instructed to use only those areas to park. Undesignated parking may create unnecessary conflicts within the work areas.