Preventing Work Zone Injuries on the Road (Part One – Hazard Identification & Mitigation)

Preventing Work Zone Injuries – Identifying and Mitigating Hazards (Part One)

Read Temporary Traffic Control Zones (Part Two)

In recognition of National Work Zone Awareness Week, Dawood Safety Specialist Joe Carter presented a webinar on roadway safety for surveyors, hosted by the New York State Association for Professional Land Surveyors. 

The National Safety Council reported that in 2020, approximately 44,000 workers were injured in work zone crashes. To help prevent fatal injuries, companies should identify and mitigate hazards.

Hazard Identification

Did you know that there are five types of common hazards in roadway construction?

1. Falling/flying objects can fall out of garbage trucks, tractor-trailers, and cars. Debris can strike nearby workers or kick up dirt into an employee’s eyes or mouth.
2. Slips/trips and falls can happen around rocky areas like diversion ditches or muddy areas with pooled water. Note these hazards during a pre-work safety analysis.
3. Wildlife like deer can cause drivers to swerve and lose control of their vehicles, putting workers in the line of fire. Be aware of your surroundings and do not assume that motorists are on the lookout for animals. Other wildlife like ticks and mosquitos can transfer illnesses like Lyme Disease to their host when feeding.
4. Check for adverse weather conditions before entering the work zone. Snow, thunderstorms, or rain showers can increase slip-and-fall accidents. Be especially wary during thunderstorms as lightning can strike workers. Drivers also have limited visibility and may not see workers.
5. When utility lines such as electric poles or underground pipes are damaged, they can cause electrocution, fire, explosions, or release toxic chemicals. Surveyors may not work with utility lines, but they should coordinate with contractors to ensure worksite safety.

Hazard Mitigation

Prevention is key to maintaining workplace safety. 

1. Complete safety training  to identify dangerous conditions and behaviors. Address any concerns to a nearby supervisor.
2. Conduct jobsite safety meetings before entering a work zone. Identify tasks and address any onsite hazards.
3. Use crash trucks and concrete barriers to protect against reckless drivers. Although not legally mandated, Dawood’s policy ensures that trucks or barriers are always on site. In November 2022, a bus driver fell asleep at the wheel and drove towards a Dawood job site. However, they collided with a crash truck, which saved workers’ lives and protected them against life-altering injuries. No one was injured.
4. Use temporary lighting at night for better visibility.
5. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a last line of defense. PPE may not prevent hazards but can mitigate their harm. Hard hats and safety glasses can protect workers from falling and flying debris. Hard-toed boots can stabilize feet and ankles to prevent workers from slipping or falling. High-visibility safety vests have reflective properties that work best during evenings and nights to alert drivers.
6. In the event of an accident, look for an opening to escape. Avoid standing near fixed objects like concrete barriers.

Even with preventative measures, reckless drivers can still cause fatal accidents. Workers should remain aware of their surroundings and not assume that motorists are driving cautiously.

Stay tuned for part 2 where we’ll identify more administrative and engineering control safety measures.

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