Articles tagged: Environmental Hazards

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 …

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…

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…

Winter storms often leave public works crews facing downed trees, hanging limbs, and debris blocking roadways. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and limited daylight significantly increase the hazards associated with chainsaw operations. Proper planning, correct PPE, and disciplined cutting techniqu…

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…

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common winter injuries for public works and highway crews. Whether workers are clearing snow, loading materials, stepping out of a plow truck, or walking through the yard, icy surfaces create unpredictable hazards. A single misstep can lead to sprains, stra…

Winter storm operations often require highway and public works crews to work through the night, sometimes for twelve, sixteen, or even twenty-four hours straight. These long shifts are necessary to keep roads safe for the public, but they also create a serious safety concern for the workers behind t…

Frozen culverts and blocked outfalls are common winter problems that can lead to flooding, road washouts, property damage, and hazardous driving conditions. Public works and highway crews are often called to restore flow quickly, sometimes during severe weather or freezing temperatures. Because thes…

Snowplow operators face some of the most challenging and hazardous conditions in public works. Blowing snow, darkness, sleet, freezing fog, and heavy snowfall can reduce visibility to only a few feet. When visibility deteriorates, the risk of collisions, roadway departures, and equipment damage incr…

Winter operations demand long hours in freezing temperatures, blowing snow, and damp conditions. Without the right clothing and protective equipment, road crews can quickly face hypothermia, frostbite, and reduced mobility. Proper layering and winter-specific PPE allow workers to stay warm, dry, and…

Winter weather brings unique hazards to public works and highway departments, and cold stress is one of the most dangerous. Crews working through snow, ice, and freezing temperatures must understand how cold stress develops, the early warning signs, and the actions needed to keep each other safe. Th…

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…