Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/109757
Applications & Innovations dents go back to this advice, Turmail says. "Beware of distracted drivers," he says. "They're dangerous anywhere, but when it comes to a work zone, they are even more dangerous." 3 Barriers, Not Chairs Often referred to as Jersey bumps, walls or k-rails, concrete barriers can be an effective way of separating workers from motorists or for re-routing traffic. Sterndahl's team has expanded their use of these fixed barriers wherever possible, and he urges others to do the same. "If the DOT will allow it, use more Jersey walls to keep traffic out of the work zone," he says. These sturdy dividers help direct drivers, and the same should be true for the crews. However, in some reported cases, workers have viewed these barriers as a place to relax, which can be a fatal mistake. Sterndahl says he has heard of employees sitting on the protective barriers between the work area and traffic on their break. "That's a classic mistake you wouldn't your employees to make," he says. To help the barriers stand out even more along roadways, and serve as a reminder that they are not chairs, road crews can paint them a color that stands out from the background or install reflectors, lights or light tubes. These barriers can be effectively used in conjunction with other traffic-control devices such as warning signs to prevent drivers from getting too close. 4 Keep Communication Lines Open If a rogue vehicle were to make its way into the work zone, it could obviously do a lot of damage and cause serious injuries. How information about 'rogue' dangers is relayed to the crew could save lives. Sterndahl Enterprises installed two-way radios in their onand off-highway vehicles for cases such as this one. "Having the two-way radios on the jobsite is critical," he says. "It helps in the event that you need an early warning system. If a car breaches a lane closure, we can give everyone the heads up." On any road construction site, noise can make hearing and verbal communication difficult and at times impossible. If the jobsite equipment does not have radios, hand signals can help convey a command to an equipment operator and serve as a reminder of the workers whereabouts. But lessons learned show that hand signals must be simple and clear and understood by everyone working the job. 5 Make Positive Contact Equipment can be a major contributor to work-zone hazards. Add the extra physical constraints of working next to a 32 February 2013 Better Roads Back to the Basics After you and your crew have spotted some of the hidden hazards, it's also important to remember the more-common safety practices. • Always pay attention to the traffic, and never turn your back on it. • Keep something, such as a barrier, between you and the road whenever possible. Don't expose yourself to the traffic. • Stay alert to any equipment changes. • Wear the appropriate safety gear and high-visibility apparel: boots, gloves and vest. • Designate a crewmember to keep the working area clear: An equipment operator who is concentrating on digging a hole might not be focused on the employees working around him. • Assign a traffic-control supervisor to be responsible for the overall safety of the work-zone setup. roadway, and these machines account for 35 percent of the injuries, according to the FHWA. "It's important to be aware of the equipment around you," Turmail says. To keep from being struck by a piece of equipment, he suggests crews have spotters in place. In some cases, adding cameras to the equipment can also help with the operator's blind spots. "Visibility is the issue within the work zone," Turmail says. The burden of responsibility to be on the lookout does not solely rest with the equipment operator, however. The crewmembers working on foot should also be aware of the machines around them. Keeping these workers and equipment separated as much as possible can also limit injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). "See and be seen: Don't assume that just because an operator looks in your direction that he sees you," Turmail warns. "Have positive contact with him, whether it's hand signals or a nod." Most pieces of equipment have backup alarms as a safety