Tips for Roadside Construction Safety Part 2

As we discussed in the first section of this four-part article, the majority of roadside accidents that result in either injury or death transpire solely within the work zone. In this section, we will discuss the major culprit to many of these accidents and how to mitigate them. In the third and the final section, we will discuss some other logical tips to prevent accidents from transpiring at roadside construction job sites. If you have recently received a citation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), please contact an OSHA defense lawyer today.

Avoiding Accidents with Vehicles and Equipment

Most roadway injuries occur when construction vehicles or equipment strikes a worker. Insufficient visibility and miscommunication are two of the primary reasons why transportation accidents transpire. It’s important for contractors to consider the following issues when present at the workplace.

Pay Attention: This may sound like an obvious tip, but most accidents occur when workers aren’t paying close attention to hazards, blind spots, or other moving components at the workplace. Always keep this in mind and educate your workers on these practices.

Monitor Moving Parts: It cannot be stressed enough that all vehicles need to be closely monitored. Entry and exit paths need to be made marked off and flaggers need to be extremely knowledgeable of all aspects of the work area especially the traffic flow.

Spotters Save Lives: When loading or unloading equipment on or off vehicles, spotters can be extremely helpful especially for any vulnerable workers that are using heavy machinery nearby.

Communication is Key: All workers present on the job site should understand all the communication signals being used. Equipment should never be moved without operators making eye contact with other workers in the area as well.

Use Common Sense: Be extra cautious when approaching a vehicle, never ride or place yourself in a vulnerable position around equipment in the transferring process, and obey all standard traffic laws including buckling your seatbelt.

Wearing the Right Gear

All workers need to be wearing the right footwear and high-grip gloves to prevent any slips or falls at the workplace. All workers present should also be dressed in highly visible clothing. Hats, vests, armbands, and other accessories should be reflective or fluorescent and easily seen from both the worksite and roadway. This task may seem obvious, but surprisingly this policy is often breached on job sites.

If you would like to speak with an OSHA attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.