Fatalities are among the most devastating situations any company can face. Some fatalities can be completely unpredictable, without warning. However, a majority of fatalities are caused by factors which are predictable and preventable. Severe damage to families and companies have been a result of fatalities for countless years. There are an estimated 100 fatalities per year due to work zone fatalities. With the help of the OSHA’s National Emphasis Program and the utilization of safe and proper work zone practices, awareness and change implementation can significantly reduce the number of work zone accidents and fatalities.
The National Emphasis Program communicates high hazards and risks to areas of operations where OSHA deems safety is a serious concern and further education is needed to ensure compliance is maintained. Specifically, the month of April emphasizes how to properly set-up a work zone and the safety measures that are in place. In terms of proper set-up, the first step is to have a designated plan. The plan must be a fluid document that is ever changing, and it must identify how traffic will be controlled in terms of pedestrian vehicles and worker vehicles/equipment. If specific hazards or unique situation are present, a specific site plan should be created. Part of this plan must include frequent and regular inspection all equipment and material. Also, first aid and emergency medical care procedures in the event of an accident must be identified, along with the required safety training for all employees and subcontractors. As for pedestrian vehicular traffic, adequate notification must be provided to driver. This includes warning signs/signals that alert drivers of the upcoming conditions and a warning area is needed for transitioning drivers from one lane to the other. This can be done in a numerous amount of ways, such as traffic control devices, buffer area, or lane shifting. Any means of control, such as the use of cones and barrels must comply with the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Once traffic has passed the area of operations, drivers must be notified that normal conditions are ahead. As for internal traffic, such as heavy machinery and equipment, a staging area and clear pathway should always be maintained. Always remain aware of where traffic is or will be, this will ensure blind spots and injuries are reduced to a minimum.
In addition to a plan, workers must always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when on the project. This generally includes steel-toed boots, hard hats and clothing that is high in visibility with a reflective material for low light operation. The injuries caused by negligent drivers will always be a struggle to reduce but ensuring that all crews are performing operations with the proper personal protective equipment will help drivers notice workers quicker and sooner. Having a plan and PPE is not enough though, the workers must be educated on the plan and how operations will be done safely. To ensure the plan is followed, it is recommended a quick and simple safety meeting be conducted before the start of operations each day. This will allow all crews to assess the workday and notice any changes in safety. Also, as on any work project, a competent person must be present. For decades, the term “competent person” has been used by the construction industry to mean the person knowledgeable and in charge. And yet, being a competent person isn’t about the level of training a person has received, nor simply a matter of being in a supervisory role and certainly not just a matter of being designated. The competent person must be able to identify and recognize hazards associated with the work tasks and must have the authority to take corrective actions immediately.
When performing construction on highways, high hazards will likely be present. The goal is to consistently communicate with subcontractors, employees, and onsite management regarding safety expectations for operations. Setting up a work zone safely is just the first step in ensuring all members of the project return home the same way they left. If any hazard is present, the competent person should immediately abate the issue. Instead of chastising workers for unsafe acts, the mentality should be geared towards education, as is the whole purpose of the National Emphasis Program. Understanding the safe way to perform operations and following OSHA and MUTCD requirements will likely lower the average fatality rate regarding roadside construction.
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