Improve Safety of Workers During Highway Construction and Maintenance

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study will be to 1) identify best safety practices in highway construction and 2) recommend strategies for the Cabinet to improve the safety of workers and the traveling public in highway work-zones. These objectives will be accomplished through the following tasks: • Literature Search - review past studies on highway work-zone safety • Survey other State Transportation Agencies regarding their practices for improving work zone safety • Use case studies of roadway projects to determine which methods and techniques effectively improve work-zone safety • Develop guidelines based on identified best practices for consistent work-zone safety BACKGROUND: Traffic accidents in construction work-zones are caused by a combination of factors, including driving error, inadequate vision, poor road surface condition, construction obstructions, inadequate traffic control, and improper management of material, equipment, and personnel during construction. Successful work-zone safety management can minimize traffic accidents, and reduce deaths and injuries to both the traveling public and highway workers in work-zones. Work-zone safety management consists of three phases: 1) engineering; 2) traffic enforcement; and 3) public awareness. Recently, the extended use of traffic enforcement of the traveling public by law enforcement on the Shawnee Expressway project created dramatic improvements in traffic safety during construction of the project. FY 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS; The KYSPR 06-323 team was formed in the Summer of 2005. The research team performed a literature review and authored a survey during the Fall of 2005. The focus ofthe survey was to identify the most prevalent hazards on highway and construction maintenance projects. After reviewing the survey with th research team, it was administered to the highway districts and to the state contractors' through the Kentucky association of Highway Contractors. The survey proved useful in identifying the many common health and safety issues. A very good meeting was held with the Study Advisory Committee on December 14 at the University. A report was given on information collected to date and detailed discussions held with advisory committee members. Several steps were identified for the researchers to pursue, A January 26 meeting was held in Frankfort with Hancher and Smith from UK plus Forsythe and Morrision of the Department. FY 2007 PROPOSED WORK: Analyses will continue on the survey data and additional existing data sources will be identified and analyzed for the study. The research team will perform on-site interviews with district workers to further identify and detail the factors that impact the health and safety of their workers. Afterwards, the research team will develop recommendations for improvements. It is intended that that many of these recommendations will be an outcome of the on-site interviews. Finally, the research report will be drafted and finalized prior to the project's June 30, 2007 deadline. PROJECTED COST THROUGH FY 2006: PROGRAMMED COST FY 2007: TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $ 70,000 $ 60,000 $150,000