Road building jobs and working near traffic can be very dangerous if the correct safety steps aren’t taken. By utilizing the right protocols and implementing proactive measures, your team can minimize the chances of accidents and injuries. In this article, we cover some key road construction precautions and best practices.

Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
One of the most critical steps for preventing injuries on road construction jobs is ensuring your crew has the right PPE. Everyone needs to wear proper gear, including hard hats, high visibility vests or clothing, safety glasses, gloves, and steel toed boots. Personal protective equipment serves as a barrier against potential hazards, such as falling objects, flying debris, or accidental contact with heavy machinery. We also suggest using ear protection whenever jackhammers and other loud equipment is in operation.

Implement traffic control systems
Construction sites on or next to roads require traffic control measures to protect workers and allow vehicles to drive through effectively and safely. It’s important to use clearly marked signs, barricades, and traffic cones to redirect vehicles, and flaggers and traffic controllers to guide cars through the road building zone. Your team should receive thorough training on traffic control methods to help avoid any accidents or injuries.

Set up signs and warnings
Effective use of signage is crucial for letting motorists know that there are construction activities ahead. It’s important to utilize highly visible, easy to read signs that indicate roadwork zones, lane closures, detours, reduced speed limits, and any potential hazards. Plus, electronic message boards can also be used to convey real time information and warnings to drivers.

Follow a regular machine maintenance routine
Regularly inspecting and servicing your construction equipment is critical for avoiding malfunctions and accidents on road building jobs. Operators have to conduct daily checks to ensure that machinery, tools, and vehicles are in good working condition. It’s also important to look at your owner’s manual and make sure that you are not exceeding the capacities or capabilities of your heavy equipment.

Check the weather conditions
The weather can have a serious impact on road building projects. Remember to stay vigilant and monitor forecasts throughout the day. Extreme weather such as heavy rain, strong winds, or snowfall can lead to dangerous conditions on the jobsite. You may have to suspend work if conditions become unsafe, in order to ensure the well being of all workers.

If you have any questions about road construction jobs or safety, reach out to our team today!