| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area and traffic conditions | Approaching vehicles, crew stepping into live lanes, poor visibility | Set up proper work zone with cones and signs; use flaggers if needed; assign a lookout to monitor traffic and crew positioning |
| Inspect hand tools and equipment | Damaged rakes, broken handles, malfunctioning compactor, hydraulic leaks from equipment | Check rakes, lutes, shovels, and hand tampers for defects; inspect compactors; remove unsafe tools |
| Don required PPE | Burns, eye injuries, struck by hazards | Wear full PPE including heat resistant gloves and eye protection before handling hot mix |
| Prepare work surface | Slips on debris, contact with sharp pavement edges | Sweep loose material; verify stable footing; communicate with heavy equipment operators about movements |
| Receive hot mix asphalt | Burns from hot material, struck by dump truck or paver | Stand clear of truck tailgate and paver hopper; communicate with driver or operator; avoid placing hands near discharge points |
| Spread and level asphalt | Burns from contact with hot asphalt, strains from improper technique, stepping into traffic | Use rakes and lutes with long controlled strokes; keep feet clear of hot asphalt; maintain proper posture and remain inside protected work zone |
| Handwork around structures | Burns from close handling, slips near edges, tool contact | Use smaller tools to work around drains, valves, and curbs; maintain stable footing; avoid kneeling directly on hot surface |
| Compact asphalt | Vibration exposure, pinch points, hand injuries, contact with hot mix | Use plate compactor or tamper with both hands on handles; compact edges and transitions carefully; warn crew before each pass |
| Coordinate with paver and roller operators | Communication errors causing struck by incidents | Maintain visual contact, use agreed upon hand signals or radio communication, never stand between equipment and fixed objects |
| Monitor crew location | Workers wandering too close to rollers, trucks, or hot surfaces | Assign a lookout; maintain constant communication; stop work if anyone enters unsafe distance |
| Final inspection and cleanup | Burns, slips on loose material, exposure to traffic during takedown | Inspect patch for uniformity; remove loose material; keep traffic control in place until equipment and crew are fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest
Heat resistant gloves
Long sleeve shirt and long pants
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when near pavers, rollers, or compactors
Respiratory protection if fumes are heavy or ventilation is poor
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 work area and traffic conditions | Approaching vehicles, crew stepping into live lanes, poor visibility | Set up proper work zone with cones and signs; use flaggers if needed; assign a lookout to monitor traffic and crew positioning |
| Inspect hand tools and equipment | Damaged rakes, broken handles, malfunctioning compactor, hydraulic leaks from equipment | Check rakes, lutes, shovels, and hand tampers for defects; inspect compactors; remove unsafe tools |
| Don required PPE | Burns, eye injuries, struck by hazards | Wear full PPE including heat resistant gloves and eye protection before handling hot mix |
| Prepare work surface | Slips on debris, contact with sharp pavement edges | Sweep loose material; verify stable footing; communicate with heavy equipment operators about movements |
| Receive hot mix asphalt | Burns from hot material, struck by dump truck or paver | Stand clear of truck tailgate and paver hopper; communicate with driver or operator; avoid placing hands near discharge points |
| Spread and level asphalt | Burns from contact with hot asphalt, strains from improper technique, stepping into traffic | Use rakes and lutes with long controlled strokes; keep feet clear of hot asphalt; maintain proper posture and remain inside protected work zone |
| Handwork around structures | Burns from close handling, slips near edges, tool contact | Use smaller tools to work around drains, valves, and curbs; maintain stable footing; avoid kneeling directly on hot surface |
| Compact asphalt | Vibration exposure, pinch points, hand injuries, contact with hot mix | Use plate compactor or tamper with both hands on handles; compact edges and transitions carefully; warn crew before each pass |
| Coordinate with paver and roller operators | Communication errors causing struck by incidents | Maintain visual contact, use agreed upon hand signals or radio communication, never stand between equipment and fixed objects |
| Monitor crew location | Workers wandering too close to rollers, trucks, or hot surfaces | Assign a lookout; maintain constant communication; stop work if anyone enters unsafe distance |
| Final inspection and cleanup | Burns, slips on loose material, exposure to traffic during takedown | Inspect patch for uniformity; remove loose material; keep traffic control in place until equipment and crew are fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest
Heat resistant gloves
Long sleeve shirt and long pants
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when near pavers, rollers, or compactors
Respiratory protection if fumes are heavy or ventilation is poor