| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, blind curves, soft shoulders, unstable banks | Conduct site assessment; establish MUTCD compliant work zone; post lookout; identify safest access path to culvert inlet and outlet |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged shovels, broken rakes, malfunctioning vactor or jetter, slipping hazards | Check condition of all hand tools; inspect hoses and nozzles; verify vactor or flushing equipment is operational |
| Don required PPE | Exposure to contaminated water, sharp debris, insects, splashing | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, waterproof boots, and high visibility vest |
| Approach culvert carefully | Slips on wet slopes, uneven ground, hidden holes, vegetation hazards | Use slow controlled steps; avoid steep or eroded banks; use walking stick to probe uncertain surfaces |
| Inspect culvert inlet and outlet | Sharp edges, snakes or wildlife, sudden water flow | Look before entering area; stay to the side of openings; avoid reaching into pipe without tools |
| Remove surface debris manually | Cuts from sharp objects, heavy lifting, hidden hazards | Use rakes, hooks, or shovels; maintain proper posture; use team lift for heavy items; avoid handling debris blindly |
| Clean culvert interior by hand (if shallow and safe) | Slip hazards, confined space risks, contaminated flow | Only enter shallow and open culverts; never enter pipes considered confined spaces; use long handled tools to extend reach |
| Use vactor or jetter equipment | Hose recoil, high pressure spray, flying debris | Keep crew clear of hose path; start with low pressure; increase gradually; operate nozzle inside pipe at safe distance |
| Monitor water flow | Sudden release of water, entrapment hazards | Stand to the side of flow path; do not work directly in front of culvert outlet during flushing |
| Watch for structural damage | Collapse hazards, falling material | Inspect headwalls, pipes, and joints visually; avoid leaning on unstable structures; report structural defects |
| Collect and dispose of debris | Contact with contaminated materials, heavy loads | Place debris in designated container; wear gloves; follow municipal disposal guidelines for sediment and waste |
| Final inspection of culvert | Remaining blockages, unstable bank conditions | Confirm flow path is clear; ensure culvert conveys water without obstruction |
| Restore area | Loose debris, slip hazards, exposed tools | Remove remaining waste; rake disturbed soil; ensure no tools are left behind |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to live traffic | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until all workers are safely out of roadway |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket
Waterproof or steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection if using powered equipment
Waders when working in water
Respirator if strong odors or unknown contaminants are present
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Stormwater, Drainage, and Waterways
* 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 | Traffic exposure, blind curves, soft shoulders, unstable banks | Conduct site assessment; establish MUTCD compliant work zone; post lookout; identify safest access path to culvert inlet and outlet |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged shovels, broken rakes, malfunctioning vactor or jetter, slipping hazards | Check condition of all hand tools; inspect hoses and nozzles; verify vactor or flushing equipment is operational |
| Don required PPE | Exposure to contaminated water, sharp debris, insects, splashing | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, waterproof boots, and high visibility vest |
| Approach culvert carefully | Slips on wet slopes, uneven ground, hidden holes, vegetation hazards | Use slow controlled steps; avoid steep or eroded banks; use walking stick to probe uncertain surfaces |
| Inspect culvert inlet and outlet | Sharp edges, snakes or wildlife, sudden water flow | Look before entering area; stay to the side of openings; avoid reaching into pipe without tools |
| Remove surface debris manually | Cuts from sharp objects, heavy lifting, hidden hazards | Use rakes, hooks, or shovels; maintain proper posture; use team lift for heavy items; avoid handling debris blindly |
| Clean culvert interior by hand (if shallow and safe) | Slip hazards, confined space risks, contaminated flow | Only enter shallow and open culverts; never enter pipes considered confined spaces; use long handled tools to extend reach |
| Use vactor or jetter equipment | Hose recoil, high pressure spray, flying debris | Keep crew clear of hose path; start with low pressure; increase gradually; operate nozzle inside pipe at safe distance |
| Monitor water flow | Sudden release of water, entrapment hazards | Stand to the side of flow path; do not work directly in front of culvert outlet during flushing |
| Watch for structural damage | Collapse hazards, falling material | Inspect headwalls, pipes, and joints visually; avoid leaning on unstable structures; report structural defects |
| Collect and dispose of debris | Contact with contaminated materials, heavy loads | Place debris in designated container; wear gloves; follow municipal disposal guidelines for sediment and waste |
| Final inspection of culvert | Remaining blockages, unstable bank conditions | Confirm flow path is clear; ensure culvert conveys water without obstruction |
| Restore area | Loose debris, slip hazards, exposed tools | Remove remaining waste; rake disturbed soil; ensure no tools are left behind |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to live traffic | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until all workers are safely out of roadway |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket
Waterproof or steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection if using powered equipment
Waders when working in water
Respirator if strong odors or unknown contaminants are present