ANSI A10.47- 2009Work Zone Safety for Highway Construction

Scott Schneider, CIH and Travis Parsons

Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America

Agenda

IntroductionsHistoryOverview of the StandardMajor Issues

History of the StandardFirst proposed in 2004Intended to fill a gapFew OSHA or ANSI A10 standards addressed road/highway constructionOne of the few A10 “vertical” standards to address hazards in one industry sector

Outline of the Standard1) Scope and Purpose, Exceptions,

Referenced Standards2) Definitions3) Traffic Control4) Flagger Safety5) Runover/Backover Prevention6) Equipment Operator Safety7) Excavation Safety8) Electrical Safety

Outline of the Standard9) Power Tool Safety10) Fall Prevention11) Reduction of Musculoskeletal

Problems12) Protection from Health Hazards13) Illumination for Night Work14) Personal Protective Equipment15) Paving Operations

Scope, Purpose, ExceptionsScope: Covers workers doing construction, maintenance or repair work on any area of a highwayPurpose: To prevent worker injuries and illnesses To establish safe work practices and To prevent vehicular crashes

Exceptions: Practical difficulty Unnecessary hardship New developments But must provide equivalent protection

Referenced StandardsANSI standardsFHWA standards- MUTCDASTM standardsOSHA standardsNCHRP 350ANSI standards often go beyond Federal regulations and represent best practices

Definitions41 definitions, such as Competent persons Highway Internal Traffic Control Plans Positive Protective Devices Transportation Management Plan

Traffic ControlMust comply with the latest MUTCDMust pre-plan the job for Safety, Materials, Staffing, Traffic controlMust prepare a traffic control plan, communicate it to the authority in charge before work and when it changes

Positive ProtectionPositive Protection is required when: There is no means of escape (e.g. bridge

and tunnel work) 2 weeks or longer duration High speed traffic (≥ 45 mph) with high

volumes Workers working close to the

traffic lane

Traffic Control Setup/RemovalRequires proper training and supervisionUse automatic deployment devices where feasible or protected area of a vehicle with fall restraintDeploy and retrieve in a safe directionAdd a Truck Mounted Attenuator or law enforcement if high speed trafficInspect setup: Daily by a qualified person More often if heavy traffic, frequent damage, poor visibility, bad

weather or vehicle intrusionRemove or cover signs when not workingDistinguish Construction vehicles with lighting and signage for work zone accessClose traffic lane when working in aerial lifts over a traffic lane or shoulder

Speed ManagementReduce speeds when needed by use of: Reduced speed limits Speed advisories Increased fines Photoenforcement (where allowed) Speed displays Law enforcement Portable Changing Message Signs (PCMS)

Flagger SafetyUse flaggers only when other means of slowing traffic are infeasiblePosition flaggers in the safest location, facing traffic, in a closed lane or on shoulder and only in an open lane once traffic has stopped

Single flaggers are only allowed on the shoulder when there is good visibilityUse more than one flagger if low visibilityIf exposure to traffic cannot be minimize Give visual warnings of the flagger Use Jersey barriers, spotters and/or visual assistance devices

(such as hardhat mirrors)

Flagger Safety 2Wear Class 2 clothing during the day and Class 3 clothing at nightIlluminate flagger stations at nightProvide an escape planFlaggers must be provided with adequate breaks, replacement flaggersFlaggers must use stop/slow paddles and only use flags in emergency situationsTraffic control devices must conform to the latest MUTCDTraffic signals should not be in conflict with flagger signals

Flagger TrainingFlaggers must be trained on: Communication skills Escape procedures Using signaling devices Traffic control procedures Recognizing dangerous situations Emergency response Personal protective equipment Other worksite conditions

Employer must keep training records for at least a year

Flagger Safety cont.

Flaggers must use two way radios when visual/audio contact between flaggers is not possibleAutomated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFADs) should be used only when 1 lane of approaching traffic and must be illuminated at nightFlaggers must not respond to or retaliate against frustrated motorists. They should notify their supervisorIntrusion warning devices should be used

Runover/Backover PreventionMirrors must be working properlyWorkers must be protected from traffic by Jersey barriers, spotters and other assistive devicesWorkers must not stand or walk on the side of a raised dump bodyBack up alarms must be supplemented with mechanical backing assistance devicesBackup alarms must be supplemented by visual alarms at nightIf not feasible, then spotters must be used

SpottersSpotters must be: Trained Not stand in the path

of equipment Remain in the driver’s

sight Train drivers to stop if

they can’t see the spotter Wear high visibility

clothing

Internal Traffic Control Plans Internal Traffic Control Plans must be developed They must be communicated to all workers and vehicle

operators They can only be modified by the supervisor or

safety person Everyone must be notified of any changes They must include: Diagram List of equipment and personnel Hazard checklist Safety notes Communication plan

Worker Access-EgressSite-specific plan for worker access-egress required to cover

Parking Sanitation Breaks Paths to minimize

pedestrian exposure to vehicles

Equipment Operator Safety Equipment must be inspected and defects corrected

prior to use Equipment must be locked and tagged out for

maintenance and repair work as required by A10.44 Rollover Protection and Seatbelts are required on most

construction vehicles Seatbelts must be worn during operation Seatbelts and their anchor points must be inspected Operators must be qualified for the type and size of

equipment they will be operating No riders are allowed unless equipment is designed for

multiple occupancy

Electrical Safety-Underground Utilities

Determine the location of utilities before work starts (e.g. 811)Maintain markings until work is completeUse hand digging, vacuum excavation, etc. when close to determine exact locationExcavations must be protected during the operation from workers and the public

Electrical Safety-Overhead Power lines

De-energize overhead lines and transmission towers whenever possible prior to work

Treat them as energized unless written verification from owner/utility

Daily briefing before work begins Contact owner/utility before work begins Minimum clearance distances specified, increased in

wind/rain/fog Accurate measuring devices required Proximity alarms, boom guards, insulating links should

be used Qualified spotters required for work near energized lines

Overhead Lines cont. Keep all workers away from high reaching

equipment until operator/qualified person determines it is safe

Avoid using tag lines or use non-conductive ones Do not store materials or equipment near powerlines Plan the job to avoid powerlines Plan, mark and inspect travel routes for high

reaching equipment Tie down equipment during transport Do not move haul or dump trucks with the box

raised without a spotter

Fall Prevention Slips and Trips- Provide clear pedestrian walkways,

working/walking surfaces Heights- Use guardrails, where feasible, and fall protection

(A10.32) above 6 feet Floor openings- Keep them covered, secured and designed

for twice expected weight Inspected by qualified person Follow A10.32 fall protection if cannot be covered

Equipment access-egress- Provide safe access ladders, free of debris

Ladders- Keep in good working order, train workers, require 3 point contact, follow OSHA subpart X and ANSI A10.14

Scaffolds- Follow A10.8 Excavations- Ensure all workers are protected from falls into

excavations, guard crosswalks over 6 ft with guardrails

Health Hazards Hazards covered include, but not limited

to: Heat/cold Noise Airborne hazards (silica, lead, etc.) Dermal (cement) Chemicals Sunlight/Solar radiation Lack of sleep

Control hazards using the hierarchy of controls-engineering controls, then administrative controls and lastly PPE

Illumination/Night Work Night projects require an illumination plan to

describe lighting locations, illumination levels, light and power sources, glare control

Illumination levels and uniformity set for different tasks

Discontinue work if lighting fails, except in emergencies

Vehicles lights must be in good order, supplemented

Glare must be minimized, e.g. with balloon lights

Personal Protective Equipment High visibility clothing- Follow MUTCD Head protection- Follow ANSI Z89.1- Class C, E, G

helmets Eye/Face Protection- Follow ANSI E87.1, OSHA 1926.95 Hearing Protection- Follow ANSI A10.46, Use engineering

controls first Weather protection- Should wear appropriate clothing Gloves- Use when needed Respirators- Required when needed, Requires Respiratory

Protection Program as in 1910.134 and ANSI Z 88.6 Footwear- Follow ASTM F2413, Sandals and Athletic

footware prohibited

Other RequirementsPower tools Guarding and grounding (GFCIs) required Gloves required to meet ANSI S3.40 for

reduced vibrationMusculoskeletal Problems- Follow A10.40Excavation Safety- Follow A10.12Paving Operations- Follow ANSI A10.17

Questions??