Field Safety & PPE

High-visibility clothing is one of the most critical layers of protection for public works crews operating in or near traffic, heavy equipment, and low-light conditions. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), through ANSI/ISEA 107, sets the requirements for high-visibility safety apparel …

In public works operations, few hazards are as unpredictable and deadly as a “widowmaker.” This term refers to a broken tree or large limb that remains suspended in another tree after a storm, high winds, snow load, or improper cutting. These hung-up trees can fall without warning, creat…

Highway crews operate in some of the most hazardous work environments in public works. Fast moving traffic, heavy equipment, changing weather, noise exposure, and uneven terrain create a constant mix of risks. Personal protective equipment, or PPE, serves as the last line of defense when engineering…

Every excavation, trench, or confined-space operation carries serious risks. Soil can shift, water can enter unexpectedly, and equipment movement can change site conditions within minutes. To manage these hazards, OSHA requires that a competent person be present whenever workers are exposed to excav…

When a trench collapses, a culvert fails, heavy equipment tips, or a large object pins a worker, the instinct is to free the trapped person as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, removing the pressure too rapidly can trigger a life-threatening medical emergency known as crush syndrome. Crush syndrom…

Every year, public works crews are injured and utilities are damaged because someone assumed a small dig was safe. Installing sign posts, placing delineators, repairing drainage structures, planting trees, and even setting mailboxes can bring workers dangerously close to buried electric lines, gas s…

In every public works department, stormwater crew, or highway operation, personal protective equipment (PPE) is the frontline defense against injury. But one factor determines whether that equipment performs as intended: fit. Even the best-rated hard hat, the thickest pair of gloves, or the most exp…

Heat stroke is one of the most dangerous heat-related illnesses affecting outdoor workers, especially public works crews who spend long hours repairing roads, maintaining drainage systems, and operating heavy equipment. When temperatures rise, the risk rises with them. Recognizing the early signs an…