of chapter 6: safety & equipment · temporary traffic control (ttc) ... to the snooper...

Manual of Bridge Inspection 2014

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Chapter6:Safety&EquipmentSafety

The importance of keeping both the public vehicular traffic safe and the inspector team safe in and

around the bridge site is of the utmost importance. Inspectors shall refer to the procedures outlined by

their own employers healthy and safety policies (For ODOT inspectors refer to the Office of Health and

Safety and discuss with their safety coordinator) for the minimum safety and health requirements.

Entities, employers and employees are expected to follow the standards applicable to their

employment:

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), published in the U.S. code of

Federal Regulation primarily in title 29 Part 1926

Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP) or the

American National Standards (ANSI)

Ensuring safety is a collaborative effort among the employer, supervisor and inspector. Accidents can

cause pain, suffering or even death. Additional concerns such as family hardship, equipment damage,

lost production and medical expenses should also be considered.

Employers are responsible for the safety and health of their employees and the employees shall comply

with the applicable rules and regulations. Team Leaders shall take the lead in supervising and ensuring

the safety of the inspection team at the bridge site.

Bridge Inspection Safety Precautions

The inspector should have an awareness of potential hazards and exhibit a serious attitude toward

safety precautions while inspecting bridges around traffic, at height and in isolated environments. The

inspector must approach each task critically and with the proper motivation to do a good job. The

inspector is relied upon to guarantee public safety and to protect public investment with respect to

bridges. They have to avoid highway traffic, handle adverse weather, wade through deep water, work in

confined space, work at height or near powerlines, handle heavy tools, regularly climb fences and

slopes, enter dark areas and use ladders to reach bridge elements. Therefore they should have general

good health, moderate agility or strength, adequate color perception and good hearing. When possible,

it is always best to work in at least two person teams for promote safety and the integrity of the

inspection. Bridge inspectors who require prescription bifocals for driving or operating machinery shall


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use bifocals when performing bridge inspections. Any medical issues that could affect your safety

should be communicated with your team (allergy to bees, asthma, diabetes etc.). Vegetation such as

poison ivy, poison oak thistles and thorns should be identified. Insects and animals such as ticks, snakes,

alligators, dogs, falcons and raccoons may also present a threat to the safety of the inspector.

More complex inspections may require coordination with the movable bridge operator, local Police,

local Sheriff and/or Coast Guard. When coordinating with the Railroad contact the Railroad WELL IN

ADVANCE. Do not underestimate the time needed to coordinate RR inspection activities. Avoid the

railroad tracks and surrounding area until you have the proper permitting and flagman. Even with a

flagman do not foul tracks until authorized to do so.

Figure 49 ‐ Vegetation May Threaten Safety

Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) – Inspectors may need to gain access to bridge elements that require a

temporary lane closure. Lane closures should provide minimum disruption to traffic, effectively

communicate vehicle direction according to the MUTCD and ensure inspector and public safety. Refer

to the Office of Roadway Engineering’s TTC Manual

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/divisions/engineering/roadway/designstandards/traffic/ttcm/Pages/default

.aspx


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and the Office of Roadway Engineering Standards Maintaining Traffic Construction Drawings MT‐SCD’s

for specific TTC.

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Engineering/Roadway/DesignStandards/traffic/SCD/Pages/Curren

tMaintainingTraffic(MT)SCDs.aspx

On State Routes Truck Mounted Attenuators are required when utilizing the Snooper operations, refer

to the Snooper Operations Manual in the Appendix for specific operations. Truck‐mounted attenuators

shall be energy‐absorbing devices attached to the rear of shadow trailers or trucks and they should be

used in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. If used, they shall be located in advance of

the work area, workers

or equipment to reduce

the severity of rear‐end

crashes from errant

vehicles. For more

detail see AASHTO

Roadside Design Guide

(see Section 193‐12)

and Section 602‐8 and

the L&D Manual

Volume One, Section

603.2.

Figure 50 ‐ Temporary Traffic Control, from

MUTCD


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Figure 51 ‐ Temporary Traffic Control, Flagger, from MUTCD


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“TTC plans and devices shall be the responsibility of the authority of a public body or official having

jurisdiction for guiding road users. There shall be adequate statutory authority for the implementation

and Component Parts of a Temporary Traffic Control Zone (Figure 6C‐1, MUTCD2009, 6C.04)

enforcement of needed road user regulations, parking controls, speed zoning, and the management of

traffic incidents. Such statutes shall provide sufficient flexibility in the application of TTC to meet the

needs of changing conditions in the TTC zone.” ‐MUTCD2009, 6A.01

“Before any new detour or temporary route is opened to traffic, all necessary signs shall be in place. All

TTC devices shall be removed as soon as practical when they are no longer needed. When work is

suspended for short periods of time, TTC devices that are no longer appropriate shall be removed or

covered.”‐MUTCD2009, 6B.01.

Personal Protective Equipment and High Visibility Apparel

The protection chosen should fit the specific task, be of good repair and be

worn properly. Additional equipment may be required than the ones

discussed herein (ex. Life Jacket, Ring Bouys, AED, Snake Bite Protector).

Head Protection – must be able to withstand penetration and absorb the

shock of a blow. Recognized standards have been established by the

American National Standards Institute, Z89.1‐2009 or later. Hard Hats have

a service life of five (5) years from the date of manufacture. You can

determine the date of manufacture by looking at the inside of the bill where it

will be imprinted. The photo to the right is an example of what you might see. The “04” on the inside is

2004 and the arrow pointing to “9” is September. So, the hard hat above was manufactured in

September, 2004 and expired in September, 2009.

High Visibility Clothing – Garments that inspectors wear at all times when outside

the vehicle shall be in good condition and conform to ANSI/ISEA 107‐2004

standards. In the State R.O.W, at a minimum, Class II garments shall be worn at

all times while outside vehicle. At a minimum ANSI Class III garments shall be

worn from dusk until dawn and for working around high speed traffic.

Eye Protection – Shall be used according to ANSI Z87.1‐2003 or later. Protection

should be based on kind and degree of hazard present and should be reasonably

comfortable, fit properly, be durable, be cleanable, be sanitary and be in good

Figure 52 ‐ Hard hat Expiration

Figure 53 ‐ Class 2 Safety Vest


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condition. Typical applications for eye protection include hammer

sounding, chipping, scraping, using magnetic particles etc.

Hand Protection – Worn, at a minimum, when disturbing debris. A wide

assortment of gloves is available.

Respiratory Protection ‐ Shall be used, at a minimum, when performing

destructive paint tests or vigorously disturbing debris. Bird and bat dung,

once disturbed, produce a dust that can cause Darlings Disease triggered by

the fungus Histoplasma Capsulatum. Indicators vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs

and the acute phases are characterized by non‐specific respiratory cough or flu‐like symptoms that

occur 3 to 17 days after exposure. To minimize disturbing a bleach/water solution (~10% bleach) should

be applied a few hours in advance to allow penetration and kill the living organisms and then sprayed

again before handling. In addition to a respirator a Tyvek full suit and eye protection should be worn to

protect the inspector.

Figure 55 ‐ Biology of Histoplasmosis, Courtesy Center for Disease Control

Figure 54 ‐ Safety Gloves


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Safety Belts, Lifelines and Lanyards – Under OSHA standards safety belts are to be used only as

positioning devices. Lifelines, anchorage systems and lanyards are designed for use as fall arrest and

should not be loaded with weight during normal use. When deployed, the arrest system must prevent

the worker from falling no more than six feet. Such devices shall be properly used when personnel are

within an unprotected 6’ ledge with a 6’ drop off or in a bucket truck, manlift or snooper.

Electrical Safety – When an inspector is performing work near overhead power lines they must stay at

least twelve feet away and for voltages above 50kV the clearance must be increased four inches for each

additional 10kV. Team members standing on the ground may not contact the equipment unless it is

located so that the required clearance cannot be violated even at the

maximum reach of the equipment. A ground person shall be used as

a spotter when the inspector is working near overhead wires.

Confined Spaces ‐ Entry of some bridge components (hollow piers,

steel pier caps, box type superstructures, culverts, vaults etc.) may

pose OSHA requirements with regard to confined spaces. Therefore,

entry of these items may include additional challenges with

requirements for personal protective equipment. Employees must

follow the protocols established by their employer when working in

and around confined spaces.

Depending on their size and configuration, bridge components or

culverts may meet the definition of being considered a confined space per OSHA (29CFR1910.46).

Therefore, inspection procedures will vary with

regard to the safety measures used.

All structures classified as confined space by

OSHA (29CFR1910.46) shall have documentation

on entry types, dates, noted changes from last

inspection, and atmospheric conditions. The

Control Authority is responsible for maintaining a

list of structures designated as confined space or

components designated as confined space. Bridge

files shall include all data of past entries and visual survey conducted by the inspector noting

atmospheric conditions and physical hazards. Any inspector entering a confined space using Alternate

Figure 56 ‐ Breathing Masks

Figure 57 ‐ Confined Space


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Entry Procedures or the Confined Space Entry Procedures must have

successfully completed a Confined Space training course.

Some culverts qualify as Alternate Entry or Permit Required Confined Spaces,

see Appendix. Confined Space Flowchart and Alternate Entry Form for

qualification flow‐chart. Due to their stable nature, culverts generally do not

contain physical threats such as the potential to trap or engulf an entrant;

however, this must be determined on a case‐by‐case basis. A bridge inspection

report will be required on an annual basis. The inspection report shall document

the last time the confined space was entered. Structures that are fully or

partially collapsed or have significant infiltration of backfill material or water

pose an additional physical threat and should not be entered. All others, shall

receive a visual inspection not‐to‐exceed 72 months.

Inspection Tools and Equipment

In order to effectively perform a bridge inspection, it is important for the inspection

team to be properly equipped for both data collection and safety. As such, the Department developed a

standard list of inspection tools to assist the Districts, bridge owners, and consultants to properly

prepare for field inspections. Inspectors should not be limited to the equipment on the checklist at the

end of this chapter as special circumstances may necessitate the use of non‐standard tools. Note that

there may be situations where more specialized equipment and training are required.

Equipment will vary depending on the type of structure being inspected, the type of inspection being

performed, the method of inspection, special access requirements and when the inspection is being

performed. It is important that inspection teams are outfitted with the proper equipment to:

Facilitate personal and public safety during inspection of the structure

Perform an efficient and accurate inspection of the structure

Perform the proper level of inspection intensity

Correctly record the conditions of the structure

Figure 58 ‐ Hammer


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Once the equipment and method of inspection

have been determined, they should become

part of the bridge inspection file for future use.

Bucket Operation – Bucket equipment and

vehicles have safety considerations. In addition

to the manufacturer’s recommendations moving

the bucket left‐right or back/forward when

between beams is dangerous. It is better to

come down below the beams, including the inspectors’

head, before making these movements. Also, it is better to maneuver the

bucket from the bucket than from the ground.

Figure 59 ‐ Inspection Equipment and Vehicle


6

The following checklist may be used to inventory inspection and inventory tools, these items should be

available for bridge inspectors:

Y/N General Access Y/N Inspection Y/N Measuring

Hip Wader Hammer 6‐Foot Rule/ Ruler

Chest Wader Camera Probing Rod

Brush Hook ‐ Sickel Scraper 2‐Foot/4‐Foot Level

Extension Ladder Flashlight/Headlamp 100‐Foot Tape

Boat Wire Brush Thermometer

Snooper Binoculars Plumb Bob/Protractor

Bucket Truck Inspection Mirror Vertical Clearance

Device

Manlift Shovel Laser

Machete Screwdriver Survey Rod

Pliers Optical Crack Gauge

Magnifying Glass Crack Comparator

Sounding Chain Calipers

Incremental Borer Feeler Gauge

Probing Rod Angle Finder

Compass

Y/N Note Taking Y/N Personal Protection Y/N Miscellaneous

Inspection Forms Hard Hat, ANSI Drinking Water

Extra Paper Safety Vests, ANSI Class

II Sunblock

Laptop Computer with SMS Offline Version or Wireless Card/Hotspot

Safety Glasses, Face

shield Insect Repellant

Field Binder First Aid Kit Knee Pads

Clip Board Safety Shoes Extra Batteries

Calculator Gloves Utility Belt or Tool Belt

Writing Instruments Ear Protection Utility Bag

Keel Dust Mask Eye Wash Bottle

Sharpie/Paint Stick Radio Chargers

Spray Paint Air Monitor Cell Phone

As‐Built Plans Harness/Lanyard Camera

Life Jackets Laptop

Respirator Reference Manuals

Phone Numbers

Table 33 ‐ Inspection Equipment Checklist

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