08-02-2013, 11:29 AM
Safe Operations and Internal Traffic Control in the Work Space
1Safe Operations.ppt (Size: 5.57 MB / Downloads: 123)
Introduction and Background
Highway and street construction (H&SC) workers are exposed to injury and fatality risk
The work is in proximity to construction equipment, as well as passing traffic
The module covers,
Hazards in the work space
Injury prevention with an emphasis on Internal Traffic Control Plans (ITCP)
Facts and Statistics
Injury and fatality exposures are extremely high in highway work zones
Each year, over 100 H&SC workers are killed and more than 20,000 are injured
Half of the H&SC workers are killed by construction trucks and equipment
On-foot workers represent approximately 57% of the worker fatalities in work zones
More than 30% of fatalities involve equipment operators
Case Study #1
A 39-year-old construction laborer was killed after falling down from moving front-end loader
Victim was working with the loader operator laying asphalt around manhole covers.
Victim was riding on the front-end loader battery box. He grabbed the forward/reverse control lever. Operator told victim to stop; he went ahead and pulled it anyway.
The machine immediately stopped and reversed direction As a result, he fell from the loader 3 feet, and was run over by it.
Case Study #2
A 55-year-old highway department supervisor died after being struck by a backing dump truck at a multi-lane highway work zone.
The crew was filling potholes and laying down asphalt over the repair.
The supervisor crossed into the lane of the oncoming truck; the driver did not see him and backed over him.
Victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hazards in the Work Space
Worker being struck by or caught in/between equipment
Electrocution due to contact with overhead and underground power lines
Falls on the same level or down to lower levels
Health exposures (noise, silica, lead)
Environmental exposures (heat, cold, humidity, etc.)
Poor visibility exacerbates these hazards
Untrained workers are particularly vulnerable.
Health and Environmental Hazards
Affect workers who may or may not be involved in the activity creating the hazard
Substances like silica dust and lead can create adverse health effects
Construction and traffic noise can cause hearing loss
Extreme cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia, and hot weather can cause heat stress
Hazards due to Poor Visibility and Inadequate Lighting
Night work and inclement weather produce poor visibility
Night work presents problems
Reduced visibility
Driver impairment or inattention
Fatigue and sleepiness
Lack of adequate lighting magnifies the problem
Preventive Measures
Operating and maintaining heavy equipment and trucks using safe procedures (Refer to Module No. 3)
Implementing safe procedures for night work, and low visibility
Safety protocols for preventing occupational health and environmental hazards
Fall protection and prevention
Developing a dynamic Internal Traffic Control Plan (ITCP) to prevent worker – equipment - traffic conflicts during construction