10 Safety Tips for Road Construction Projects

Written By Adam Jevne

Road construction work zones can be tremendously unsafe. You have to deal with moving equipment, flying objects, weather, and the travelling public.

The nature of this work doesn't allow for second chances. Big equipment (moving in all directions), impatient civilian drivers, and the elements (like weather and construction materials) means there's opportunity for severe injury, or worse yet, death.

To help bring safety to the forefront, consider these:

  • Have a work plan that includes the surroundings, weather, and other factors

  • Always wear proper safety equipment (PPE) when in the work zone

  • Maintain a safety routine that includes safety meetings. Bring your team together to discuss the day's activities and events for the day.

  • Have a traffic control plan (TCP). You don't want motorists entering your work zone.

  • Perform field-level hazard assessments that identify your hazards and controls for each hazard.

  • Watch for blind spots. In road construction there are many. Operators of graders, milling machines, compactors, dump trucks, rollers, pavers, and more, can't see everything. Be aware and don't get caught in (or between) equipment. Equipment trains are common. Make eye contact with operators.

  • Don’t stand under suspended equipment. Booms, buckets, arms, and more can fail.

  • Don’t stand under materials being moved. Often materials are moved with buckets, forks, picker trucks, or a boom. Don't be put your self at risk.

  • Use trained flaggers and pilot cars when necessary.

  • Be self aware. Stay alert. Wear your PPE. Stay hydrated (how hot is it behind that paver on a hot day? Ugh.). Protect yourself from the sun. Refuse unsafe work.

You're going to sleep better when your workers go home safely. Following your company processes and maintaining a consistent safety system will help make that happen. Work on:

  • Posting your traffic control plans for everyone to see

  • Controling hazards with your field-level hazard assessments

  • Reminding workers of safe methods with toolbox meetings. From making eye contact with operators to working around power lines, there's opportunities for learning.

  • Reviewing the condition of PPE before use.

  • Pulling down relevant safe work practices (SWPs) and safe job procedures (SJPs). Everyone needs easy access.

  • Assessing previous incidents, to reduce the likelihood of them happening on your worksite.

One Safe (the safety software for companies that love to play in the dirt) has everything you need to help you maintain a safer road construction project.

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Sources

Adam Jevne
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