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How to Work Safely When Maintaining a Road

One of the most important parts of any construction project is to make sure that it’s as safe as possible. An unsafe environment can have catastrophic consequences, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Also, the project itself will be more likely to fail if things aren’t done with safety in mind.

When you’re working on the roadside, the project gets that much more dangerous. As well as the typical dangers of the job, you also have to deal with nearby traffic, which can be unpredictable. Here are some tips to help you and your team to work safely and reduce the risk of any accidents.

  1. Know the Guidelines

Before you start any projects, you should familiarize yourself with the guidelines set out by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). These regulations help workers perform their jobs safely and efficiently. They cover everything from visibility to traffic control and include statistics detailing the injuries and fatalities that occur in road construction work areas.

Your team should be very familiar with these regulations as well, so be sure to train them on how to work safely. Even if you know them off by heart, it’s your team who will be at risk if they’re poorly trained.

  1. Understand the Hazards

Part of knowing how to work safely is knowing the risks. These are described in the aforementioned statistics, and you can adjust your work practices accordingly. As mentioned before, your team is tackling the ordinary risks of a construction site, such as contact with equipment or slips, trips, or falls. 

But almost half of fatalities in this industry are due to workers being run over by either vehicles or mobile equipment. While this is a risk on most large-scale construction projects, the sheer amount of cars nearby increases the risk. The second most common cause of fatalities is due to vehicle collisions.

So, how can your workers be more aware of these hazards? First, the location of the site should be positioned in a safe position, if possible. Admittedly, you only have limited control, but take note of nearby busy intersections and check the visibility of approaching vehicles. 

While working, you should take note of the weather conditions and any increased risks that they pose. Also, pay attention to pedestrians and especially any children in the vicinity who may wander too close to the site. By being alert, you can prevent tragedy.

  1. Use the Correct Equipment

As well as proper training, your team should be provided with appropriate, well-maintained equipment. Equipment breakdowns don’t just cause delays, but they can risk the lives and health of the workers. 

As well as the equipment directly needed for the job itself, there should be safety equipment on hand. A traffic safety supply store can provide high-quality equipment and signs to keep your workers safe. 

The signage warns motorists of the roadworks, making your workers and the site more visible. You can also get crash cushions, to protect the workers from any collisions that occur on the road.

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