Articles tagged: safety

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 …

In many small municipalities, the role of safety officer is often assigned rather than developed. It may fall to a supervisor, a senior operator, or a dedicated employee who simply has an interest in safety. In the best cases, that individual may bring experience from a volunteer fire department or …

A municipal safety officer plays a critical role in protecting public works employees, reducing organizational risk, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. In an environment where crews are exposed to traffic, heavy equipment, confined spaces, and unpredictable field conditions, the safety…

Public works employees face a wide range of hazards due to the hands-on, outdoor, and often traffic-adjacent nature of their work. While specific risks vary by department, injury data across municipalities and agencies tends to show consistent patterns. The following are the top five causes of injur…

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…

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…

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…

A strong safety training program is one of the most important investments a public works or highway department can make. Crews work around heavy equipment, traffic, confined spaces, chemical hazards, and unpredictable weather. Training gives workers the knowledge and confidence to perform tasks safe…

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…

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…