Construction Safety

ODOT Business Plan Moving 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

Safety & Health Policy Organizational S & H work plan Worksite safety audits Safety training programs OCSEA/AFSCME partnership Focus on Workplace Safety

As a member of Team ODOT, SERVICE is my commitment: S afety First E very Partner R espect for My Customers V alue of My Job I ntegrity C lear Communication E ye to the Future A New Pledge to Serve Ohioans S afety 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 Equipment Operation and Your Personal Safety

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. 7

Todays Situation Being 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%) 8

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. 9

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. 10

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. 11

# 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. 12

Common OSHA Citations Working 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. 13

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. 14

Common OSHA Citations Equipment 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. 15

General Hazards Striking people and collision with other equipment. Pinch points between equipment and objects. Worker pinned under equipment 16

More General Hazards Injuries to operators jumping out of the cab. Runaway machines as a result of not blocking wheels when parking or operators 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 17

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 Operators Seat 19

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 Plans Paving Model Plan – Traffic Adjacent 20

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. 21

Safety Issues Understand and follow the job site safety plan. Federal OSHA inspection of stimulus- funded projects. 22

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