Working on the ground during asphalt paving can be a high risk occupation. There are hazards of working close to vehicle traffic, heavy equipment, complex machinery, and hot asphalt. Ground workers must always be aware that the traffic is ultimately controlled by individual drivers who may be inexperienced, unskilled, inattentive, or impaired. There is often no safeguard against these drivers other than the asphalt worker’s constant alertness, and attention to the conditions of the jobsite and fellow workers. I know it’s hard, back-breaking work, most times you’re working in the heat of summer and you may not always be as alert as you should be. Read over these safety guidelines, and be safe.

Make sure all ground workers are well trained for the assigned job and familiar with the crew’s particular routine. Assure that workers have been properly educated about the hazards of asphalt fumes. Read all MSDS applicable.

Do not move between the paving machine and backing trucks. Do not work or stand near the hopper of the paving machine when a materials truck is making its initial dump. Exercise caution when trucks are delivering asphalt. The truck driver may not be familiar or experienced with paving operations. When production requirements demand it, assign more personnel to the paving operation. Watch out for fellow workers. Workers concentrating on their assigned duties may be completely unaware of possible hazards.

General repairs must not be made to powered equipment until workers are protected from movement of equipment, or its parts. Before repairs are made, workers must comply with lockout / blockout / tagout requirements.

Check local codes for traffic control regulations. When permissible apply more stringent traffic control devices to the operations. Use look-outs and spotters in high density traffic conditions to alert crews of dangerous situations.

Unsafe conditions and situations must be reported to supervisors immediately. Work must be halted when hazards appear and may not resume until the unsafe situation is corrected. Schedule work during low traffic hours if possible. During night operations, light all traffic control devices, reduce traffic speeds, and reduce spacing of barricades and cones. Use 2-way radio communication for personnel working outside of vocal or visual range.

Flaggers must be in good physical condition, mentally alert, and have the ability to react quickly in an emergency. The flagger’s vest, shirt, or jacket must be orange, yellow, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors. For nighttime work, outside garments must be retro reflective.

Hand-signaling devices such as the stop / slow paddle should be the primary and preferred hand-signaling device because the paddle gives road users more positive guidance than red flags. All flaggers and hand signalers must remember to never place your body, or any part of your body, in the path of a motor vehicle. Flagger stations must be located far enough ahead of the work space so that approaching traffic has sufficient time to stop before entering the work zone. The flagger should stand either on the shoulder adjacent to the traffic being controlled or in the barricaded lane. The most effective combination of traffic control devices for work zones on multi-lane highways is cones, flashing arrows, and flaggers. For urban two-lane highways use cones and flaggers, or signs and flaggers. Traffic movement should be restricted as little as possible.

Inspections of the traffic controls and working conditions should be completed and evaluated at least twice (at mid-day and before work). Use barriers whenever there is a need for positive protection as determined by an engineering analysis. Periodically inspect the devices. Repair or replace any damaged or missing devices. All devices should be clean.

Personal Protective Equipment: High waterproof work boots, safety goggles or safety glasses, chemical resistant and heavy-duty gloves, particulate mask, respirator, hard hat, long sleeved shirts, sturdy pants, barrier creams, and ear muffs or plugs (make sure that the individual can still hear traffic and warnings).

When respirators are required at the work site, the employer or contractor must make sure that they are NIOSH-approved and that all applicable OSHA regulations that apply to respirator programs are followed.

Wash hands before eating and leaving the work site. Use soap or other safe cleaners. Eat lunch where the wind will blow fumes away from you. Shower after work as soon as possible. Change work clothes before going home to keep asphalt and solvents out of your car and home.

All employees need to be trained in first-aid procedures. In areas where 911 is not available, the telephone numbers of the physicians, hospitals, and/or ambulances, should be conspicuously posted.

Conclusion: Be alert, keep an eye on your co-workers, as they keep an eye on you. Be safe out there.