Beaver dam removal is a common task for public works crews, particularly in areas where flooding, culvert blockages, or roadway washouts are concerns. While most safety discussions focus on physical hazards such as sudden water release or unstable footing, there is a lesser-known risk that deserves …
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Beaver dam removal is a common task for public works and highway crews managing drainage systems, culverts, and roadside ditches. While it may seem routine, it carries serious and often underestimated hazards. Water impounded behind a dam can be under significant pressure, and improper removal can l…
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Wild parsnip is becoming more common along roadsides, drainage ditches, utility corridors, and unmowed rights of way. For public works employees, it is more than just an invasive weed. Its sap can cause a painful skin reaction called phytophotodermatitis, which results in severe blistering when the …
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Public works crews encounter dead animals regularly, especially along rural routes and high speed highways. Although it is a common task, handling roadkill carries real health risks. Rabies, Lyme disease, salmonella, e coli, and other pathogens can be present on or around a carcass. Proper PPE, safe…
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Public works crews spend long hours outdoors cutting brush, maintaining rights of way, clearing drainage channels, and inspecting stormwater structures. These tasks often take workers into undeveloped areas where poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac thrive. Exposure can lead to painful rashes, l…
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