Construction Safety

ODOT 2010-2011 Business PlanMoving Ohio into a Prosperous New World

Initiative 1: Target: ZERO

Focus on safety in the workplace, on construction sites, and with the traveling public to assure ZERO

tolerance for any safety hazard. 

Key Initiatives for 2010-2011

Safety & Health PolicyOrganizational S & H work plan

Worksite safety auditsSafety training programs

OCSEA/AFSCME partnership

Focus on Workplace Safety

As a member of Team ODOT, SERVICE is my commitment:

Safety First

Every Partner

Respect for My Customers

Value of My Job

Integrity

Clear Communication

Eye to the Future

A New Pledge to Serve Ohioans

Safety First: I will focus each day on safety: my own, my teammates, our workplace, our work practices, and our customers – the traveling public – with a “Target Zero” goal for any and all safety hazards.

Heavy Heavy Equipment Equipment

Operation and Operation and Your Personal Your Personal

SafetySafety

• Heavy equipment is vital to getting the job done.

• From time to time many, if not all of these machines, operate close to workers on foot.

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Today’s SituationBeing struck by or caught in-between are two of the leading

causes of injuries and fatalities on construction and maintenance work sites.

STRUCK BY (22%) CAUGHT IN-BETWEEN (18%)

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OSHA Study of Top 5 Highway/ Heavy Contractor Fatalities

1. Construction equipment backed over a worker on foot. • In some cases, the victim was the signal

person.• Some accidents occurred even though the

backup alarm was working properly.2. Employee hit by motorist.

• Traffic lanes not closed to the public.• Vehicle jumped over the concrete barrier.

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OSHA Study of Top 5 Highway/Heavy Contractor Fatalities

3. Construction equipment ran forward over an employee. • May have involved employees jumping or

falling off vehicles.4. Machine rolled over and crushed employee –

lack of ROPS or no seat belt in use.5. Equipment hit overhead power line.

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What Is Covered by OSHA?

• Motor vehicles, mechanized equipment covered in 29CFR 1926 Subpart O.

• Operate within an off-highway job site that is not open to the public.

• This includes any type of equipment that is used for public works projects either on or off the roadway.

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# 1 OSHA Citation

No backup alarm on equipment with an obstructed view to the rear.•Most fatalities are the result of equipment

running over employees.• Constant signals may be “tuned out” and

ignored because they become part of the work environment.

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Common OSHA CitationsWorking under hydraulic-

supported equipment.• Employees crushed

when hydraulics failed on front-end loaders and dump trucks.

• Lockout program – use 4 x 4 blocks or a bed prop in case of hydraulic failure.

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Common OSHA Citations

Horn not working.• Provide a signal before

equipment starts to back up.

• Useful when equipment loses braking power.

• Alert other operators to prevent equipment from backing into each other.

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Common OSHA CitationsEquipment closer than

10 feet from power lines.• Includes skid steer

loaders, power concrete pumpers, dump trucks, cranes, gradalls, backhoes.

• All types of equipment with articulated booms.

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General Hazards

• Striking people and collision with other equipment.

• Pinch points between equipment and objects. Worker pinned under

equipment

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More General Hazards• Injuries to operators

jumping out of the cab.

• Runaway machines as a result of not blocking wheels when parking or operator’s inability to control.

• Being struck by limbs of trees or other overhead obstructions, and by moving equipment.

Nearby Power Lines and Trees

Risk of Hitting Power Line

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Working Around Vehicles and Heavy Equipment

• On-foot workers should be trained to work safely around the equipment– Wear high visibility clothing– Do not assume operators can see you

• Signal person may be used to assist the operator

• Good communication is essential– Use standardized hand signals– Use walkie-talkies (two-way-radios)

    This worker is clearly visible!

View From The Operator’s Seat

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The purpose of an Internal Traffic Control Plan is to control the flow of construction vehicles, equipment, and workers inside a busy work zone.

Establishing a predictable pattern of movement minimizes the need for backing up limits exposure of workers on foot to construction traffic and will reduce the risk of injury or death.

Safety Within the Work Zone:Internal Traffic Control Plan

Internal Traffic Control PlansPaving Model Plan – Traffic Adjacent

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Safety Within the Work Zone:Internal Traffic Control Plan

• Control the flow of equipment traffic to minimize backing within the work zone.

• Establishes procedures for entering and exiting the work zone.

• Distance to change lanes and decelerate into the work zone.

• Distance to accelerate into high speed traffic when leaving the work zone.

• Restrict access points into work areas.

• Design buffer spaces to protect pedestrians from errant vehicles or work zone equipment.

• Provide signs within the work zone to direct and guide pedestrians and equipment operators.

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Safety Issues• Understand and follow the job site safety plan.

• Federal OSHA inspection of stimulus- funded projects.

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Start Every Work Day the Safe Way

Analyze the work to be done.Identify the critical safety procedures.

Decide what personal protective equipment is required.

 

Start Every Work Day the Safe Way

Step back 2 yards for 2 minutes and ask yourself:

“Am I focused and have I identified all the hazards?”

Construction Safety