| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess roadway, shoulder, and ditch conditions | Soft shoulders, hidden drop offs, motorists entering work zone, poor sight distance | Set cones and advance warning signs; use flaggers or pilot vehicles as needed; assign lookout; walk shoulder and ditch to identify hazards |
| Inspect grader and attachments | Hydraulic leaks, damaged blades, malfunctioning controls, worn tires | Perform full pre start inspection; test brakes, lights, articulation, and blade controls; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Noise exposure, struck by hazards, eye injuries | Wear all required PPE before entering the work zone or operating equipment |
| Establish communication protocols | Miscommunication leading to struck by incidents with support crew or passing vehicles | Use radios or hand signals; maintain visual contact; instruct crew to stay out of blind spots |
| Remove large debris before operation | Strains, cuts, stepping into traffic | Clear branches and rocks by hand tools; keep crew within protected work zone; ensure traffic control devices are in place |
| Begin ditching or shoulder cutting | Grader sliding into ditch, blade striking hidden objects, thrown material hitting workers | Operate at slow speed; take multiple shallow passes; identify and avoid soft or undermined edges; direct material away from workers |
| Work near ditch edges | Equipment tip over, sudden soil collapse | Keep safe distance from ditch; avoid steep angles; watch for saturated soil; never drive too close to drop offs |
| Adjust blade angle and pitch | Flying debris, sudden machine movement | Make gradual blade adjustments; keep ground crew clear of discharge path; monitor mirrors and cameras for surroundings |
| Coordinate with support crew (trucks, rakers, compactors) | Crew entering blind spots, struck by moving equipment | Maintain communication; position support vehicles where operator can see them; instruct ground crew to never walk beside or behind grader |
| Handle buildup of spoil material | Piles creating hazards, debris rolling into roadway | Push spoil to safe locations; create smooth transition zones; ensure spoil does not obstruct travel lanes |
| Compact or shape finished work (if required) | Struck by roller, uneven footing, tool contact | Maintain clear communication with roller operator; keep ground crew away from compaction path |
| Final inspection | Loose material, drainage issues, unsafe transitions, debris left on roadway | Walk or drive project area; verify ditch flow, slope, and shoulder height; remove any remaining debris |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Only remove cones and signs once equipment and crew are completely clear of roadway; use lookout during takedown |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest
Hearing protection
Steel toe boots
Gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
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.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess roadway, shoulder, and ditch conditions | Soft shoulders, hidden drop offs, motorists entering work zone, poor sight distance | Set cones and advance warning signs; use flaggers or pilot vehicles as needed; assign lookout; walk shoulder and ditch to identify hazards |
| Inspect grader and attachments | Hydraulic leaks, damaged blades, malfunctioning controls, worn tires | Perform full pre start inspection; test brakes, lights, articulation, and blade controls; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Noise exposure, struck by hazards, eye injuries | Wear all required PPE before entering the work zone or operating equipment |
| Establish communication protocols | Miscommunication leading to struck by incidents with support crew or passing vehicles | Use radios or hand signals; maintain visual contact; instruct crew to stay out of blind spots |
| Remove large debris before operation | Strains, cuts, stepping into traffic | Clear branches and rocks by hand tools; keep crew within protected work zone; ensure traffic control devices are in place |
| Begin ditching or shoulder cutting | Grader sliding into ditch, blade striking hidden objects, thrown material hitting workers | Operate at slow speed; take multiple shallow passes; identify and avoid soft or undermined edges; direct material away from workers |
| Work near ditch edges | Equipment tip over, sudden soil collapse | Keep safe distance from ditch; avoid steep angles; watch for saturated soil; never drive too close to drop offs |
| Adjust blade angle and pitch | Flying debris, sudden machine movement | Make gradual blade adjustments; keep ground crew clear of discharge path; monitor mirrors and cameras for surroundings |
| Coordinate with support crew (trucks, rakers, compactors) | Crew entering blind spots, struck by moving equipment | Maintain communication; position support vehicles where operator can see them; instruct ground crew to never walk beside or behind grader |
| Handle buildup of spoil material | Piles creating hazards, debris rolling into roadway | Push spoil to safe locations; create smooth transition zones; ensure spoil does not obstruct travel lanes |
| Compact or shape finished work (if required) | Struck by roller, uneven footing, tool contact | Maintain clear communication with roller operator; keep ground crew away from compaction path |
| Final inspection | Loose material, drainage issues, unsafe transitions, debris left on roadway | Walk or drive project area; verify ditch flow, slope, and shoulder height; remove any remaining debris |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Only remove cones and signs once equipment and crew are completely clear of roadway; use lookout during takedown |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest
Hearing protection
Steel toe boots
Gloves
Long pants and long sleeves