Hauling Industry News

Guide To Safe Hauling At Construction Worksites

By bill.huth | June 19, 2020

Pulltarps has created a resource guide for construction workers and dump truck drivers, and we’ve identified potential safety hazards to look out for while on the job site.

Highway Work Zones

Workers in highway work zones are exposed to a much greater risk of injury from the movement of construction equipment and vehicles. Common injuries include overturning equipment, collisions, and getting caught in running machines. Passing motor vehicle traffic can pose another risk, thus the need for outstanding signage, visible lanes of traffic and barriers.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health did a study on the risks highway and construction workers face when working in the vicinity of passing motorists: Building Safer Highway Work Zones. Each year, more than 100 workers are killed and over 20,000 are injured in the industry. Vehicles and equipment operating in and around the work zone are involved in over half of the worker fatalities.

Hazards and Regulations

Highway federal regulations can be helpful to create uniformity of traffic control devices on all streets. Contractors must comply with all regulations while on the site and while en route to the site. You must avoid spilling or dropping anything from your load during your haul, as people can get injured and equipment can be damaged.

OSHA Construction Industry Safety Regulations

Falls, electrical shock, struck-by, uncontrolled drops, and caught-between are the common hazards found in construction work. It is necessary to set up work zones to have a clear track for all vehicles and specific areas for people working on the ground. Guidance for the proper set-up of work zone signs, barricades, and flagging, can be found in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Safety Solutions

Stay up to code with a fully functional tarp system. Semi-automatic dump truck tarp systems are an economical way to maintain your truck bed, whether you are hauling asphalt, sand, concrete, or landscaping equipment. Pulltarps keep you safe and up to code on all highways with cargo covering laws.

Avoiding high-risk areas and electrical equipment can change a site’s safety for workers. Employ lockout/tagout procedures and depower equipment when not in use or making repairs. And be sure to inspect all tools to ensure they are in good working order.

Falling is a common injury on any job, so wearing the proper safety equipment can help reduce the risk of serious injuries. Be sure to use personal protective equipment, like the following, as directed:

  • Hard hats
  • Face masks
  • Safety glasses
  • Steel-toe boots
  • Gloves
  • High-visibility clothing
  • Heat stress garments
  • Chemical resistant suits
  • Fall protection harness

On-The-Job Injuries

Workplace injuries are often associated with a single incident, such as being hit by a construction vehicle or falling from a roof. But a large proportion of work-related injuries develop over time from the cumulative effect of repetitive movements or postures on the job. Repetitive motion injuries can result from overexertion, which is very common in the construction workplace. Repetitive stress injuries include many different conditions,

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Bursitis
  • Tendonitis
  • Rotator cuff syndrome
  • Lower back pain

It’s important to pay attention to the warning signs of any repetitive stress injury, so that it can be caught early on. If you think that your symptoms are related to your job, notify your employer immediately and consult with a doctor.

Accident Avoidance

Struck-by injuries can be reduced with proper signage for all construction and passing vehicles and barriers that block the work site. Keep walking areas clear at all times and be mindful of any tripping hazards.

Frequently people are hit by backing vehicles. There is less visibility behind a truck, and drivers often cannot see what is directly behind them. Pulltarps and RVS offer wireless back-up camera systems to help reduce this risk. We also advise wearing high-visibility clothing and never wearing headphones on the job.

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