| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess roadway and traffic conditions | Vehicles entering work zone, reduced sight distance, crew wandering into live lanes | Set cones, signs, and advance warning devices; use flaggers or pilot vehicles when required; assign a lookout to monitor traffic and crew positioning |
| Inspect equipment (grader, tractor, or shoulder machine) | Hydraulic leaks, damaged blades, malfunctioning controls, worn tires | Perform full pre start inspection, test blade movement, check lights, verify backup alarm and brakes; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, struck by hazards, noise exposure | Wear all required PPE before entering the roadway or equipment |
| Establish communication plan | Miscommunication leading to struck by incidents or unsafe positioning | Use radios or agreed upon hand signals; ensure operator maintains visual contact with ground crew; restrict crew from blind spots |
| Remove large debris from shoulder | Strains, slips, sudden traffic exposure | Use rakes or hand tools with caution; keep crew inside protected zone; maintain awareness of passing traffic |
| Begin shoulder pulling operation | Equipment striking hidden objects, flying debris, slide or tip on soft shoulder | Operate at slow controlled speed; make multiple shallow passes instead of deep cuts; direct debris away from crew and roadway |
| Work near drainage ditches | Equipment tipping, running into unstable edges, collapsing soil | Keep safe distance from ditch edge; avoid turning sharply on slopes; identify soft areas before passing over them |
| Manage material flow | Flying gravel, dust obscuring visibility, uneven piles creating hazards | Control blade angle to move material inward without excess buildup; ensure ground crew stands well clear of discharge path |
| Coordinate with support crew (trucks, compactors, or rakes) | Crew entering blind spots, struck by equipment | Maintain radio communication; keep support vehicles visible to the grader operator; instruct crew to avoid walking behind or beside moving equipment |
| Compact shoulder (if required) | Struck by roller or compactor, uneven footing | Keep ground crew away from compaction path; establish clear communication before the roller approaches |
| Final inspection | Loose debris in roadway, improper grade, remaining safety hazards | Walk or drive the shoulder to verify proper slope and compaction; remove debris; confirm ditch flow is not blocked |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Only remove cones and signs after verifying entire crew and all equipment are off the roadway; use a lookout during takedown |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest
Hearing protection
Steel toe boots
Gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Roadway Maintenance Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess roadway and traffic conditions | Vehicles entering work zone, reduced sight distance, crew wandering into live lanes | Set cones, signs, and advance warning devices; use flaggers or pilot vehicles when required; assign a lookout to monitor traffic and crew positioning |
| Inspect equipment (grader, tractor, or shoulder machine) | Hydraulic leaks, damaged blades, malfunctioning controls, worn tires | Perform full pre start inspection, test blade movement, check lights, verify backup alarm and brakes; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, struck by hazards, noise exposure | Wear all required PPE before entering the roadway or equipment |
| Establish communication plan | Miscommunication leading to struck by incidents or unsafe positioning | Use radios or agreed upon hand signals; ensure operator maintains visual contact with ground crew; restrict crew from blind spots |
| Remove large debris from shoulder | Strains, slips, sudden traffic exposure | Use rakes or hand tools with caution; keep crew inside protected zone; maintain awareness of passing traffic |
| Begin shoulder pulling operation | Equipment striking hidden objects, flying debris, slide or tip on soft shoulder | Operate at slow controlled speed; make multiple shallow passes instead of deep cuts; direct debris away from crew and roadway |
| Work near drainage ditches | Equipment tipping, running into unstable edges, collapsing soil | Keep safe distance from ditch edge; avoid turning sharply on slopes; identify soft areas before passing over them |
| Manage material flow | Flying gravel, dust obscuring visibility, uneven piles creating hazards | Control blade angle to move material inward without excess buildup; ensure ground crew stands well clear of discharge path |
| Coordinate with support crew (trucks, compactors, or rakes) | Crew entering blind spots, struck by equipment | Maintain radio communication; keep support vehicles visible to the grader operator; instruct crew to avoid walking behind or beside moving equipment |
| Compact shoulder (if required) | Struck by roller or compactor, uneven footing | Keep ground crew away from compaction path; establish clear communication before the roller approaches |
| Final inspection | Loose debris in roadway, improper grade, remaining safety hazards | Walk or drive the shoulder to verify proper slope and compaction; remove debris; confirm ditch flow is not blocked |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Only remove cones and signs after verifying entire crew and all equipment are off the roadway; use a lookout during takedown |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest
Hearing protection
Steel toe boots
Gloves
Long pants and long sleeves