Work Zone Hazards

 

Each year, more than 100 workers are killed and over 20,000 are injured in the highway and street construction industry. Most of these injuries and fatalities occur in what is known as the “work zone.”

What is the “work zone?”
The work zone is an area where highway construction, maintenance, or utility work activities are taking place. What makes this work area dangerous is that passing motorists, construction vehicles, and equipment are moving through the same space that the construction employees are working in.
Accidents

Accidents that occur in work zones are usually caused by:
• Poor traffic control procedures, 
• Unsatisfactory construction vehicle and equipment maintenance (such as malfunctioning warning devices), 
• Poorly designed work zones, and 
• Failure to establish and follow policies and procedures for ensuring safety on the job. 

Vehicles and equipment operating in and around the work zone are involved in over half of the worker fatalities in the heavy and highway construction industry.

Sometimes passing motorists are at fault for the injuries and fatalities that occur in the work zone. Workers are often injured or killed by moving vehicles entering their work zones. Other times, it is the construction vehicles and equipment operating within the work zone that causes the accidents and injuries.

Work zone hazards
There are two basic types of work zone hazards:
• Internal hazards are activities within the workspace such as moving vehicles. 
• External hazards are ones presented by passing cars and trucks and the debris they kick up. 
Potential hazards associated with work zones include:
• Traffic and construction equipment accidents, 
• Working above level, 
• Slippery conditions, 
• Machinery pinch points, 
• Crush zones, 
• Drop-offs, 
• Trenches, 
• Airborne lead and silica particles, 
• Truck tip-overs, and 
• Energized electrical lines and conductors. 

There are many internal and external work zone hazards, but you can avoid them if you think safety first, use procedures required or recommended by regulatory agencies and industry experts, and be alert to situations that might result in accidents. 

This information is provided by: MarshMcLennan Agency 

https://marshmmamidwest.com/

Company Vehicle Safety Inspections

 

Before you drive a company vehicle, make sure it’s safe by conducting a vehicle safety inspection.

Check the vehicle to be sure:

• The vehicle does not have any visible damage that affects its safe operation. 

• The tires are properly inflated (use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations that are typically noted on a sticker inside the door, glove box, or trunk -- the pressures stamped on the tire are not specific to the vehicle). Check the pressure when the tires are cold.

• Tires have sufficient tread depth (tread depth should be at least 1/16 inch).

• The vehicle’s fluid levels are correct (oil, brake, transmission, battery, and wiper fluids). 

• Belts and hoses are free of blisters, cracks, and cuts. 

• The vehicle has plenty of fuel. 

• The windshield wipers are in good condition and are functional. 

• You are familiar with the location and operation of all the vehicle’s controls; and the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors are properly adjusted.

• Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights are working. 

• The seat belt is properly adjusted, and it’s in good condition. 

• The vehicle is equipped with an emergency kit. 

• Loose objects are secured so they won’t shift to cause injury during a sudden stop or turn. 

A safety inspection is only helpful if you report defects or unsafe conditions right away. Don’t risk driving an unsafe vehicle.

This information is provided by: MarshMcLennan Agency 

https://marshmmamidwest.com/

Company Vehicle Safety Programs

 

Driving a company vehicle is a privilege. Make sure you follow you company vehicle safety program.

What’s in a company vehicle safety program?

A company vehicle safety program should include 10 steps:

1. Management commitment and employee involvement.

2.       Written policies and procedures.

3.       Driver agreements.

4.       Motor vehicle record checks for each driver.

5.       Crash reporting and investigation procedures.

6. Vehicle selection, maintenance, and inspection procedures.
7. Disciplinary action system for violations of the program’s provisions.

8.       Reward/incentive programs to promote safe driving.

9.       Driver training and communication programs.

10.   Regulatory compliance.

How can employees help the program?

Employees should be part of the program. Provide input as the program is developed and offer suggestions when it is reviewed.

The program will have many policies and procedures. Understand the program’s policies for seat belt use, reporting collisions and moving violations, restricting alcohol and drug use, driver eligibility requirements, vehicle inspections, collision investigations, disciplinary action, incentive programs, employee performance reviews, training program participation, etc. You may be asked to sign an agreement that you are aware of, understand, and will follow the vehicle safety policies and procedures.

Your employer may periodically review your motor vehicle record to make sure you are eligible to drive a company vehicle based on driver’s license restrictions, moving violations, accidents, etc. You must have a valid driver’s license.

You will be expected to inspect the company vehicle before each trip, and you must know how to report defects you notice while driving.

If you have moving violations, are involved in collisions, or if you violate the program’s policies, you may face disciplinary/corrective action. You could lose your driving privileges for certain violations of the program.

You should be rewarded for always driving safely or for otherwise helping the program be successful. Your driving performance might be part of your overall job performance evaluations.

When periodic driver safety training programs are offered, join in.

This information is provided by: MarshMcLennan Agency https://marshmmamidwest.com/