Safety Procedures for Collecting Traffic Data in the Public Right-of-Way (ROW) for Academic Purposes

Transcription

1 Safety Procedures for Collecting Traffic Data in the Public Right-of-Way (ROW) for Academic Purposes Original training materials prepared by the Texas Transportation Institute. Modified by the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering for use with TAMU students

2 Introduction The Zachry Department of Civil Engineering is committed to providing a safe and healthful environment for its students. All activities and work involve some level of risk to people and property. Many activities involve low level risks of a type and magnitude routinely encountered and accepted as requiring no special measures for mitigation. Other activities may involve increased levels of risks and require additional, appropriate measures be taken to mitigate such risks. The success of any risk management program is dependent upon each affected person understanding, accepting and adhering to the policies and procedures of this program as well as other agency policies and programs.

3 Purpose The purpose of these procedures is to enhance awareness of risk levels associated with data collection activities outside of the classroom environment and limit exposure of students and property to the lowest, practical level of risk through philosophy of risk management, training of students, engineering controls, and establishment of policies and procedures. The Safety Procedures for Collecting Traffic Data in the Public Right-of-Way (ROW) for Academic Purposes are designed to provide affected civil engineering students the information needed to safely collect classroom-related data while in the public right-of-way. These procedures, when carried out by students, will help ensure the safe and efficient accomplishment of our course objectives.

4 Nature of Data Collection Performed in the Public ROW Vehicle volume counts License plate surveys Roadway inventory Travel time runs Photography or video recording Installation of roadside devices Operation and maintenance of roadside devices Installation of research data collection trailers Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Spot speed studies Vehicle turning movement counts Distance measuring instrumentation (DMI) Seatbelt use surveys Child safety seat use surveys

5 Risks Students may be exposed to the following risk while collecting data in the field: Conducting surveys in the open with the potential for sunburn, heat exhaustion, etc. Collecting data in proximity to moving traffic and the risk of collision with a vehicle. Risk of injury while traveling to or from the study site location.

6 Basic Safety Rules Exposure to risks can be reduced through the use of appropriate precautions. Students working outside a vehicle within the ROW shall following the following rules: Students shall wear Personal Protective Equipment (vest and hard hat) when outside of a vehicle. Students shall not enter the paved area of a roadway to collect data. Students may cross a roadway but only at marked crosswalks and by obeying all applicable traffic laws, regulations, and control devices. Students shall not flag or otherwise direct traffic for any reason. Students shall not use a cell phone while collecting data, crossing the road, or driving to/from the data collection site.

7 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Exposure to risks can be reduced through the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). All PPE shall meet current industry standards. Students working outside a vehicle within the ROW shall wear, as a minimum, the following personal protective equipment (PPE): Safety vest Hard hat Vests and hard hats can be checked out from the professor.

8 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Other PPE, as appropriate for the work being conducted, should also be worn (e.g., safety glasses if nature of work or work site conditions poses potential injury to eyes). All students shall be wearing the appropriate PPE prior to exiting a vehicle. PPE may be removed once inside a vehicle. CVEN will loan PPE to students through the professor.

9 Cellular Phones Students should possess a cellular phone for emergency use. While working in the ROW, students should limit cell phone usage. Cell phones shall not be used: When actively involved in data collection activities. When walking at the data collection site. While driving to/from the data collection side. When crossing a street.

10 Motor Vehicles Students operating or riding in vehicles shall adhere to all applicable traffic laws and regulations when traveling to/from the data collection site. Operators shall possess a valid driver s license appropriate for the vehicle being driven. The operator or designee shall retain the vehicle keys and ensure the vehicle is secured as needed.

11 Professor Additional activities or unusual events outside the usual scope of data collection, related preparation, support work, or that require use of areas outside the designated site shall be reported to the professor.

12 Vehicle and Equipment Issues Park vehicles only in legal parking areas. Do not park vehicles or equipment in a way as to obstruct traffic signs and signals or impede normal traffic flow.

13 Manual Lifting and Carrying Do not lift more than you can handle comfortably. Never carry a load that you cannot see around. Keep your shoulders parallel to your hips when lifting. Do not twist. Place one foot alongside the object and one behind the object. Use the sit-down position and keep your back straight remember that straight does not necessarily mean vertical. Draw the load close to your body and keep your arms and elbows tucked close to your body. Use your full palm to grip the object. Tuck in your chin and initiate the lift with a thrust of the rear foot. Keep manual lifting and carrying to a minimum.

14 Life Safety and Emergency Response Dial 911 for ambulance, fire and police. From a phone system that requires you to dial a 9 prefix, dial Provide 911 dispatcher with the following information Location of emergency. Type of injury, if known. Brief description of person (gender, age, etc.). Your name and phone number (in case you are disconnected or they need additional information). If ambulance is not needed: Render first aid, only as trained. Assist with transportation of employee to their personal physician, if appropriate.

15 Life Safety and Emergency Response Make injured as comfortable as possible - do NOT move injured person unless directed by 911 dispatcher (or if injured person is in immediate danger). Employees, an event witness or the employee s supervisor shall complete an Employer s First Report of Injury or Illness to report any work site injuries. Report only facts, not opinions. Any time a safety issue arises, employees shall contact the project or site supervisor immediately.

16 Student Safety Contract Agreement Look College of Engineering Texas A&M University By signing this form, I verify that I have read, understood, and agreed to follow the safety regulations required for this course as established by the Look College of Engineering and Texas A&M University. I am familiar with safety equipment and procedures. While collecting traffic data in the field, improper conduct and horseplay of any kind that may endanger others or myself will not be tolerated and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. I understand that I may be dismissed from this course for failure to comply with the established safety procedures for this course, and with all TAMU & TEES Safety Rules: Date: Course: Section: Instructor: Student Name (print): Address: Phone: Person(s) to be notified in the event of an accident of emergency: Name (print): Relationship: Phone (home): Phone (work): (Optional: Any special medical conditions or other comments pertaining to laboratory safety) Signature: