| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic hazards, uneven ground, limited visibility, hot surfaces | Conduct site walk through; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; post flaggers as needed; identify trip hazards |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged lutes, broken rakes, faulty tampers, hot tool surfaces | Inspect tools for cracks or splinters; ensure handles are secure; check hand tampers for integrity |
| Don required PPE | Burns, flying debris, struck by hazards | Wear safety glasses, heat resistant gloves, high visibility vest, and steel toe boots |
| Receive hot asphalt from paver or truck | Burns from hot mix, splatter, unexpected truck movement | Stay clear of drop point; use tools instead of hands to guide material; communicate with paver or truck driver |
| Spread asphalt with lutes or rakes | Contact with hot mix, overexertion, slips | Maintain safe distance from hot mat; use long handled tools; keep steady footing; avoid over reaching |
| Perform compaction handwork | Tamper impact injuries, hot material contact | Keep hands away from tamper base; use gloves; ensure tamper surface is clean and cool enough to handle |
| Finish edges and match lines | Burns, kneeling on hot surface, trip hazards | Keep body away from fresh mat; use kneeling pads if necessary; maintain awareness of surrounding traffic |
| Avoid walking on hot mat | Burns, footprints causing flaws in finish | Use designated walking paths; stay on existing pavement until asphalt cools sufficiently |
| Maintain communication with paver operator and roller crew | Miscommunication causing equipment to strike workers | Use agreed upon hand signals or radios; stay visible to equipment operators; establish eye contact before entering equipment path |
| Watch for moving equipment | Struck by paver, truck, or roller | Maintain safe distance; never stand between roller and asphalt mat; assign lookout to monitor operator blind spots |
| Handle tools safely | Splinters, tool drop injuries, burns | Store tools upright and out of traffic paths; avoid placing hot tools where someone may grab them |
| Manage workload and environment | Heat stress, dehydration, fatigue | Take scheduled breaks; drink water frequently; rotate tasks among crew |
| Final quality check | Contact with hot material, stepping into wet areas | Verify cooling before inspecting edges or transitions; maintain safe areas for inspection |
| Clean and store tools | Burns from hot tools, contact with solvents | Let tools cool before cleaning; wear gloves when scraping asphalt; store tools away from traffic |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to moving vehicles | Remove cones and signage in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until crew is safely clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Heat resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection
Respirator if fumes are heavy
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Roadway Maintenance Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic hazards, uneven ground, limited visibility, hot surfaces | Conduct site walk through; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; post flaggers as needed; identify trip hazards |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged lutes, broken rakes, faulty tampers, hot tool surfaces | Inspect tools for cracks or splinters; ensure handles are secure; check hand tampers for integrity |
| Don required PPE | Burns, flying debris, struck by hazards | Wear safety glasses, heat resistant gloves, high visibility vest, and steel toe boots |
| Receive hot asphalt from paver or truck | Burns from hot mix, splatter, unexpected truck movement | Stay clear of drop point; use tools instead of hands to guide material; communicate with paver or truck driver |
| Spread asphalt with lutes or rakes | Contact with hot mix, overexertion, slips | Maintain safe distance from hot mat; use long handled tools; keep steady footing; avoid over reaching |
| Perform compaction handwork | Tamper impact injuries, hot material contact | Keep hands away from tamper base; use gloves; ensure tamper surface is clean and cool enough to handle |
| Finish edges and match lines | Burns, kneeling on hot surface, trip hazards | Keep body away from fresh mat; use kneeling pads if necessary; maintain awareness of surrounding traffic |
| Avoid walking on hot mat | Burns, footprints causing flaws in finish | Use designated walking paths; stay on existing pavement until asphalt cools sufficiently |
| Maintain communication with paver operator and roller crew | Miscommunication causing equipment to strike workers | Use agreed upon hand signals or radios; stay visible to equipment operators; establish eye contact before entering equipment path |
| Watch for moving equipment | Struck by paver, truck, or roller | Maintain safe distance; never stand between roller and asphalt mat; assign lookout to monitor operator blind spots |
| Handle tools safely | Splinters, tool drop injuries, burns | Store tools upright and out of traffic paths; avoid placing hot tools where someone may grab them |
| Manage workload and environment | Heat stress, dehydration, fatigue | Take scheduled breaks; drink water frequently; rotate tasks among crew |
| Final quality check | Contact with hot material, stepping into wet areas | Verify cooling before inspecting edges or transitions; maintain safe areas for inspection |
| Clean and store tools | Burns from hot tools, contact with solvents | Let tools cool before cleaning; wear gloves when scraping asphalt; store tools away from traffic |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to moving vehicles | Remove cones and signage in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until crew is safely clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Heat resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection
Respirator if fumes are heavy