Work Zone Safety- Company Perspective Chris Tacke Safety Consultant Montana Department of Transportation

What this presentation covers Work zone Data Temporary Traffic Control (TTC)- common problems Hazards of road construction and how to fix them Methods/tools used to protect roadway workers and users

Introduction Workers in construction, utilities, or public works jobs on both highways or city streets are at risk of fatal or serious debilitating injuries. The work is in congested areas with exposure to high traffic volumes and speeds, as well as under conditions of low lighting, low visibility, and inclement weather. The work is routinely near both moving construction vehicles and passing motor vehicle traffic.

How are roadway workers at risk? Workers in the roadway are at risk of injury from a variety of general traffic vehicles entering the work zone: Courtesy of Washington State Dept. of Transportation Drunk drivers Sleepy or impaired drivers Impatient, reckless drivers Drivers using cell phones; other inattentive drivers Law enforcement and emergency vehicles Disabled vehicles pulling in and parking Lost drivers looking for directions This attenuator truck was rear ended at 63 mph by an inattentive driver, despite workers’ attempts to get the driver’s attention. Two workers were hurt and the driver received minor injuries. The driver pled guilty to reckless endangerment of a road-way worker.

How are workers on foot at risk? Flaggers and other Workers On Foot* are exposed to the risk of being struck if they are not visible to motorists or equipment operators. Driver’s view passing by a work zone under overcast/rainy conditions... Do you see the flagger? * Workers On Foot refers to any pedestrian worker on the ground in the work zone

How are equipment operators at risk? Workers who operate construction vehicles or motorized equipment risk injury due to rollovers, collisions, being caught between or struck by operating equipment. Overturned compactor on loose soil

Some Facts to think about During peak construction season, Approximately 20% of our nation’s highway system is under construction with more than 3,000 work zones Approximately 12 billion vehicles miles of travel a year will be through active work zones Motorist can expect to encounter an active workzone 1 out of every 100 miles driven on the nations highway system More than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of crashes in work zones One work zone fatality every 8 hours- 3 per day One work zone injury every 9 minutes-160 per day Source: The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse

OSHA Standards on Work Zones 29 CFR 1926 Subpart G 1926.200 (g) (1) Construction areas shall be posted with legible traffic signs at points of hazard (2) All Traffic control signs or devices used for protection of construction workers shall conform to Part VI of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 1926.201(a) Flaggers Signaling by flagger and the use of flaggers, including warning garments worn by flagger shall conform to Part VI of the MUTCD

Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) The primary function of Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) is to provide for the reasonably safe and effective movement of road users through or around TTC zones while reasonably protecting road users, workers, responders to traffic incidents, and equipment. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets and highways. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), incorporated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and referenced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The MUTCD sets minimum standards, provides guidance and ensures uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation. The use of uniform traffic control devices (messages, location, size, shapes, and colors) helps reduce crashes and congestion, and improves the efficiency of the surface transportation system. The information contained in the MUTCD is the result of years of practical experience and research. This effort ensures that traffic control devices are visible, recognizable, understandable, and necessary. The MUTCD is a dynamic document that changes with time to address contemporary safety and operational issues.

Basic Consideration for TTC Fulfill a specific need Command Attention Convey a clear and simple meaning Command respect of the road user Give adequate time for proper response Sign spacing is dependent on speed of roadway and type of roadway

Clear and Simple Meaning Issue

Work Zone Components .

Advanced Warning Area 1. The advance warning area is the section where road users are informed about the upcoming work zone or incident area. The advance warning area may vary from a single sign or high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights on a vehicle to a series of signs in advance of the work zone activity area.

Issues: Advanced Warning Area One step down: example 70 mph – 45 mph Sign order – Road Work first sign. Speed Limit Step Down One step down: example 70 mph – 45 mph Two step down signs if speed limit difference is 30 mph or greater.

Advanced Warning Area Issue

Advance Warning Area Issue

Advanced Warning Area Issue

Transition Area 2. The transition area is that section where road users are redirected out of their normal path. Transition areas usually involve strategic use of tapers. Tapers are created by using a series of channelizing devices and/or pavement markings to move traffic out of or into the normal path.

Issues: Transition Area 75 mph – 900 feet 55 mph – 660 feet Device Spacing – 1 x the speed limit Proper length: 75 mph – 900 feet 55 mph – 660 feet 45 mph – 540 feet

Activity Area 3. The activity area is the section where the work activity takes place. It is comprised of the work space, the traffic space, and the buffer space. The work space is that portion of the highway closed to road users and set aside for workers, equipment, and material. Work spaces are usually delineated for road users by channelizing devices or, to exclude vehicles and pedestrians, by temporary barriers. Buffer spaces may be positioned either longitudinally or laterally with respect to the direction of road user flow.

Issues: Activity Area 500 feet before and after work zone. Begin/End Work Zone Signs 500 feet before and after work zone. Device Spacing – 2 x speed limit Proper Speed Limit for activities Longitudinal Buffer Space No vehicles, equipment, or materials

Termination Area 4. The termination area shall be used to return road users to their normal path. The termination area shall extend from the downstream end of the work area to the last temporary traffic control device such as END ROAD WORK signs, if posted

Issues: Termination Area End Work Zone (if within 500 feet) or End Road Work sign End of work zone speed limit signs Work occurring outside temporary traffic control zone

Termination Area Issue

Abatement Train and re-train on proper TTC setup and procedures Ensure proper set up Periodically inspect workzone and signage

Road Construction Hazards

NIOSH FACE Report FATALITY ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL EVALUATION (FACE) PROGRAM

Internal Traffic Control Plan (ITCP) The purpose of an internal traffic control plan is to develop strategies to control the flow of construction workers, vehicles and equipment inside the work zone. To reduce the hazard associated with backing construction vehicles and equipment, an ITCP can be developed to minimize the backing of all construction vehicles and equipment on site. This can be accomplished by taking into consideration the tasks to be performed and how the vehicles can safely navigate through the construction site to complete these tasks while backing as little as possible. The ITCP should also address workers on foot by creating walkways for these workers that are clear of backing construction vehicles and equipment. In addition, some areas within a construction work zone might have to be defined as areas that are prohibited for workers on foot. 􀂾 When possible, set up the job-sites so equipment and materials flow in one single direction so as to minimize the need to back up. 􀂾 Establish “No On-Foot Worker Zones” and communicate to all workers the policies regarding back-up alarms, spotters, swing radius and other barricade protection. 􀂾 Use a signal person. 􀂾 Operators should get out of their vehicles and walk to the rear to look for people, objects and/or confirm clearances. 􀂾 Warn near-by workers who might be in the way. 􀂾 Near-by, on-foot workers must pay attention to the equipment and watch it come to a complete stop.

Working Around Vehicles/Heavy Equipment Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Blind Spots A blind spot (or blind area) is the area around a vehicle or piece of construction equipment that is not visible to the operator, either by direct line-of-sight or indirectly by use of internal and external mirrors. This compact wheeled loader, with its bucket raised, is approaching the work site and no one is watching.

Blind Spots or Areas Example: this mapping diagram shows the blind areas around a Ford F-800 dump truck. 8 ft in front and 16 ft in rear are the most hazardous areas. The driver side door area is the only zone within 8 feet of the dump truck that is safely visible.

Blind Areas: Getting struck or run over HAZARDS: ● Running over or striking pedestrians ● Smashing site materials and tools ● Striking other equipment or vehicles ● Rollover on steep slopes ● Contact with utilities “Roadway Construction Worker Dies From Crushing Injuries When Backed Over by a Dump Truck” Figure in white shows where the worker was standing when he was run over. The driver did not see the victim.

Operator’s view from inside a motor grader cab Vehicle Blind Spots The problem is that pedestrian or ground workers Often need to be near moving equipment and vehicles to perform their work. Construction equipment is typically large and has an enclosed cab, which can make the blind areas around this equipment very large and hard to see. The bigger the equipment the larger the blind spots or hazardous areas for pedestrians and ground workers. Operator’s view from inside a motor grader cab

Vehicle Blind Spots Truck drivers and equipment operators sit high above the ground and cannot see pedestrian workers crossing close to front of them. Obstructions in a driver’s LINE of SIGHT might be: Mirrors Cab arrangements Door and window post Stacks and air cleaners Bug shield or other ornamentations Box, tank, and other equipment configurations Driver's field of view inside of a tanker truck. Can you see the workers in front of and directly to the right of bug shield? (circle)

Vehicle Blind Spots Tools/Attachments on vehicles can create greater blind spots, reduce visibility, or swings that increases the risk to workers being struck or pinned. Watch out for heavy equipment moving with raised buckets Be ready for possible sudden movements of booms or changes in direction of equipment operation Know equipment swing radius (how far can it reach, move or rotate)

Vehicle Blind Spots: How can you protect yourself when working near heavy equipment? Do not cross directly in front of or immediately behind large heavy equipment or trucks where the operator sits higher in the vehicle. Communicate with an operator (verbally and/or by eye contact) before entering any area near heavy equipment or large trucks. If you have to stand near parked equipment or trucks, stand in front or on operator side so if equipment comes into use, the operator can see you and you can see them. Courtesy of Construction Safety Association of Ontario

Operating Dump Trucks in Reverse If employees are in the backing zone or it is reasonable to expect that employees will enter the backing zone behind a dump truck, then ensure that: The vehicle has an operable automatic reverse signal alarm which is audible above surrounding noise level; and AND An observer who signals when it is SAFE to back up or stop Courtesy of Construction Safety Association of Ontario

Other Methods/Tools to Protect roadway workers/user

Workzone/Worksite Safety Checklist

LED Road Flares

Portable Rumble Strips

Summary Ensure TTC is set up properly and according to MUTCD guidelines. Reassess your TTC often Ensure ITCP is in place and communicated to all employees Ensure employees understand vehicle blind spots Keep backing of vehicles to a minimum