Safe Work Procedure: Road Work

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER] Revision Date: [DATE] Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE] Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This Safe Work Procedure (SWP) outlines the necessary safety precautions and procedures to be followed when performing road work. It applies to all workers, supervisors, and contractors involved in road construction, maintenance, and repair activities. This SWP covers potential hazards associated with vehicular traffic, heavy equipment operation, excavations, and environmental conditions. It aims to minimize risks and ensure a safe working environment for all personnel and the public.

This procedure applies to all road work environments, including but not limited to highways, city streets, rural roads, and construction zones.

This SWP should be used in conjunction with all relevant company policies, traffic control plans, and equipment-specific operating procedures.

2. Definitions

Designated Signaller: A trained worker responsible for directing traffic using standardized signals and ensuring the safe movement of vehicles and equipment [1], [2], [3].

High-Visibility Safety Apparel: Clothing that meets CSA standard Z96-15 (R2020) requirements, designed to enhance worker visibility in hazardous traffic environments [2].

Traffic Control System: A combination of signage, barriers, lane control devices, and personnel used to safely manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic around a work zone [1].

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Supervisors

• Ensure all workers are adequately trained and competent to perform their assigned tasks [4].
• Conduct regular site inspections to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• Enforce adherence to this SWP and all relevant safety regulations.
• Provide and maintain all necessary PPE and equipment in good working order.
• Ensure pre-job briefings are conducted and all workers understand the scope of work, potential hazards, and control measures.

3.2 Workers

• Follow all instructions and procedures outlined in this SWP.
• Use all required PPE properly and report any defects or damage immediately.
• Participate in pre-job briefings and ask questions if unsure about any aspect of the work.
• Report any hazards, near-misses, or incidents to the supervisor immediately.
• Refrain from performing any task if they feel it is unsafe or if they have not been properly trained.

3.3 Health and Safety Representative

• Assist in the development and review of this SWP.
• Provide guidance and support to supervisors and workers on safety-related matters.
• Investigate incidents and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Monitor the effectiveness of safety programs and initiatives.

4. Potential Hazards and Risks

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Vehicular Traffic	Struck-by injuries, collisions	Implement a comprehensive traffic control plan, use designated signallers, install concrete barriers, provide high-visibility safety apparel [5], [1], [2], [6]
Heavy Equipment Operation	Struck-by injuries, rollovers, collisions	Ensure equipment operators are trained and certified, use spotters when operating in close proximity to workers, maintain equipment in good working order, establish exclusion zones [5], [7], [8]
Excavations	Cave-ins, buried utilities	Conduct thorough site assessments to identify underground utilities, slope or shore excavations, use trench boxes, ensure competent person inspects excavations daily [9]
Environmental Conditions	Heat stress, slips, trips, and falls	Provide adequate hydration, schedule frequent breaks, use slip-resistant footwear, clear work areas of debris, provide shelter from sun and rain [9], [7], [8], [10]
Falling Objects	Head injuries, struck-by injuries	Wear hard hats, secure tools and materials at height, establish exclusion zones, use netting or debris screens [5], [7]
Unguarded machinery	Contact with moving parts, entanglement	Ensure all machinery is properly guarded, conduct regular inspections, lockout/tagout procedures during maintenance [9]
Manual Handling	Musculoskeletal injuries	Use proper lifting techniques, provide mechanical aids, reduce weight and size of loads, rotate tasks [11], [12]
Hazardous Materials	Chemical burns, respiratory irritation	Provide proper training on handling and storage, use appropriate PPE, ensure adequate ventilation, maintain SDS on site [9]

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All workers must wear appropriate PPE at all times while performing road work. [2], [6]

• High-Visibility Safety Apparel - To ensure workers are visible to vehicle and equipment operators, especially in low-light conditions [2], [6], [3].
• Hard Hat - To protect against head injuries from falling objects or contact with equipment [5], [7].
• Safety Glasses - To protect eyes from dust, debris, and chemical splashes.
• Safety Boots - To provide foot protection from punctures, impacts, and slips.
• Gloves - To protect hands from cuts, abrasions, and chemical exposure.

Inspect all PPE before each use for damage or defects. Replace damaged or worn PPE immediately. Clean and maintain PPE according to manufacturer's instructions.

6. Equipment and Tools

Only use equipment and tools that are in good working condition and appropriate for the task at hand.

• Excavators - For digging and moving earth and materials [5].
• Loaders - For loading and transporting materials.
• Compactors - For compacting soil and asphalt.
• Hand Tools - Shovels, rakes, and other tools for manual tasks.
• Traffic Control Devices - Cones, barricades, and signs for managing traffic flow [1], [2], [6].

Inspect all equipment and tools before each use for damage or defects. Follow manufacturer's instructions for proper operation and maintenance. Remove any defective equipment or tools from service immediately.

7. Pre-Job Requirements

7.1 Training and Competency

All workers must be trained and competent in the tasks they are assigned to perform. This includes training on the safe operation of equipment, traffic control procedures, hazard identification, and emergency response.

7.2 Pre-Job Briefing

Conduct a pre-job briefing before starting any road work activity. The briefing should cover the scope of work, potential hazards, control measures, emergency procedures, and any specific instructions for the task. All workers must acknowledge their understanding of the briefing.

7.3 Work Area Preparation

• Inspect the work area for potential hazards, such as underground utilities, unstable ground, and overhead obstructions [9], [7], [10].
• Establish a traffic control plan to protect workers and the public [5], [1], [2], [6].
• Ensure adequate lighting is provided, especially during nighttime operations [10].
• Clear the work area of any unnecessary materials or equipment [13].

8. Safe Work Procedure Steps

Traffic Control Setup

• Step 1: Position warning signs at appropriate distances from the work zone to alert approaching traffic [1], [2], [6], [14].
  • Refer to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (1998) for guidance on sign placement [6].
• Step 2: Install barriers, cones, and lane control devices to delineate the work zone and channel traffic safely [1], [2], [6].
  • Ensure barriers are made of concrete or equivalent material to provide adequate protection from vehicular traffic [2].
• Step 3: Deploy designated signallers to direct traffic and ensure safe passage around the work zone [5], [1], [2], [6], [3].
  • Signallers must wear high-visibility safety apparel and use reflectorized paddles [2], [3].

Safety considerations: Ensure traffic control devices are highly visible and properly maintained. Monitor traffic flow and adjust traffic control measures as needed.

Excavation

• Step 1: Conduct a thorough site assessment to identify underground utilities and other potential hazards [9].
  • Contact local utility authorities for line location before beginning work [10].
• Step 2: Slope or shore excavations to prevent cave-ins [9].
  • Ensure excavations are inspected daily by a competent person.
• Step 3: Use trench boxes or other protective systems when sloping or shoring is not feasible.

Safety considerations: Never enter an unprotected excavation. Ensure all workers are trained in excavation safety procedures.

Paving

• Step 1: Ensure the paving area is clear of all obstructions and unnecessary personnel.
• Step 2: Operate paving equipment according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Step 3: Maintain a safe distance from paving equipment and hot asphalt.

Safety considerations: Wear appropriate PPE, including heat-resistant gloves and footwear. Provide adequate ventilation to prevent exposure to asphalt fumes.

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

• Traffic Awareness: Always be aware of surrounding traffic and equipment movement. [5], [1], [2], [6]
  • Never assume drivers will see you; make eye contact whenever possible.
• Equipment Safety: Never operate equipment without proper training and authorization.
  • Conduct daily inspections of equipment and report any defects immediately.
• Housekeeping: Keep the work area clean and free of debris to prevent slips, trips, and falls [13].
  • Properly store materials and equipment when not in use [15].
• Communication: Use clear and concise communication to coordinate activities and warn others of potential hazards.
  • Use hand signals, radios, or other communication devices as needed.
• Weather Conditions: Be aware of weather conditions and adjust work practices accordingly [9], [7], [8].
  • Suspend work during severe weather conditions, such as thunderstorms or heavy rain.

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, follow these general procedures:

1. Assess the situation and ensure your own safety.
2. Alert others in the area and call for help.
3. Provide first aid to injured persons, if trained to do so.
4. Evacuate the area, if necessary.
5. Cooperate with emergency responders.

10.2 Specific Emergency Scenarios

• Vehicle Accident: Secure the scene, provide first aid, and call emergency services.
• Equipment Malfunction: Shut down the equipment and report the malfunction to the supervisor.
• Utility Strike: Evacuate the area and contact the utility company and emergency services.

10.3 Emergency Contact Information

• Emergency Services: 911
• Supervisor: [PHONE NUMBER]
• Health and Safety Department: [PHONE NUMBER]

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

All incidents, near-misses, and hazards must be reported to the supervisor immediately. An investigation will be conducted to determine the root cause of the incident and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

12. References and Related Documents

• Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
• Company Safety Policy
• Traffic Control Plan

---

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION] Date: [APPROVAL DATE]

Safety powered by SALUS