With warmer weather in full swing, the roadwork season is booming and more work zones are popping up on highways, roads and streets across the country. Unfortunately, this means that more construction workers are exposed to dangers on and around roadways. This makes roadside and roadwork safety a key focus for the construction and transportation industries.
To lower road worker injury and death figures, there are effective measures that both businesses and staff can employ to increase road worker safety. These include keeping the work zone clear, ensuring that all workers can be seen by passing motorists, marking utility lines, using equipment properly, and taking regular breaks. For more details on Chapter 8 chevrons, visit https://www.pvluk.com/chapter-8-chevrons
One of the main ways to increase road worker safety is to separate workers from traffic as much as possible and use flaggers to manage vehicles in the area. Rumble strips are a further option to alert drivers to the presence of road workers and encourage them to exercise extra caution.
It’s also important to make sure that all workers can be seen by passing motorists by using high visibility clothing and equipment. If necessary, the use of reflective materials can further improve the visibility of workers. Additionally, it’s important to schedule hazardous tasks—like those near busy roadways or with steep drop-offs—early in the day and during periods of predicted low traffic volume.
Employees should be trained on how to safely operate all machinery involved in a work site, including large trucks, trailers and vehicles that are pulled behind other equipment. Additionally, all employees should be trained to never move or operate equipment without first signaling it and getting visual confirmation that it can be done so safely.
Additionally, it’s critical that all workers can hear each other clearly by using hand signals and radios or two-way communication devices. This is essential so that everyone on site knows what is happening and takes prompt action if a safety risk is identified.
All workers should also be trained to understand the symbols, colours and markings that distinguish workers on foot from equipment in a particular work zone. Additionally, all equipment operators should be trained to never move or operate machinery without first making eye contact with any workers on foot in the vicinity and receiving acknowledgment that it can be done so safely.
Finally, all equipment should be properly inspected prior to each shift. This includes a thorough inspection of the mechanical components and electrical systems. Equipment should be cleaned regularly to remove dirt, debris and other contaminants that can contribute to malfunction and increase the risk of injury.