| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect ditch and surrounding area | Traffic hazards, unstable banks, hidden debris, wildlife | Evaluate site conditions before work begins, establish traffic control if near roadway, watch for snakes, insects, or sharp debris |
| Position trucks and equipment | Vehicle movement, struck by traffic, rollaway | Park on stable ground, set parking brake, use wheel chocks, activate warning lights |
| Establish work zone | Motorists entering work area, poor visibility | Deploy cones, signs, and barriers according to MUTCD guidelines, wear high visibility PPE |
| Remove debris by hand or with tools | Cuts, punctures, back strain, biological hazards | Wear gloves, use shovels or rakes when possible, lift properly, avoid direct contact with contaminated material |
| Operate excavator, backhoe, or ditching equipment | Struck by equipment, rollover, underground utility damage | Maintain safe distance from moving equipment, use spotter if needed, verify utility locations before digging |
| Clean sediment and vegetation from ditch | Slips, trips, falls, exposure to insects or poison plants | Maintain secure footing, avoid overreaching, identify poison ivy or hazardous vegetation before work |
| Restore water flow through ditch or culvert | Sudden water movement, erosion, undermining roadway | Monitor flow conditions carefully, stop work if erosion develops, stabilize disturbed soil if needed |
| Load and transport debris | Falling material, back strain, equipment hazards | Secure loads properly, use mechanical assistance when possible, avoid standing under raised buckets |
| Inspect completed ditch line | Missed blockages, unstable banks | Verify water flow is unobstructed, inspect for erosion or collapse risks |
| Remove traffic control and clean work area | Worker exposure to traffic, leftover debris | Retrieve cones and signs safely, remove tools and debris from roadway and shoulder |
| Dispose of sediment and debris | Environmental contamination, spills | Dispose of material at approved site, prevent runoff into waterways |
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect ditch and surrounding area | Traffic hazards, unstable banks, hidden debris, wildlife | Evaluate site conditions before work begins, establish traffic control if near roadway, watch for snakes, insects, or sharp debris |
| Position trucks and equipment | Vehicle movement, struck by traffic, rollaway | Park on stable ground, set parking brake, use wheel chocks, activate warning lights |
| Establish work zone | Motorists entering work area, poor visibility | Deploy cones, signs, and barriers according to MUTCD guidelines, wear high visibility PPE |
| Remove debris by hand or with tools | Cuts, punctures, back strain, biological hazards | Wear gloves, use shovels or rakes when possible, lift properly, avoid direct contact with contaminated material |
| Operate excavator, backhoe, or ditching equipment | Struck by equipment, rollover, underground utility damage | Maintain safe distance from moving equipment, use spotter if needed, verify utility locations before digging |
| Clean sediment and vegetation from ditch | Slips, trips, falls, exposure to insects or poison plants | Maintain secure footing, avoid overreaching, identify poison ivy or hazardous vegetation before work |
| Restore water flow through ditch or culvert | Sudden water movement, erosion, undermining roadway | Monitor flow conditions carefully, stop work if erosion develops, stabilize disturbed soil if needed |
| Load and transport debris | Falling material, back strain, equipment hazards | Secure loads properly, use mechanical assistance when possible, avoid standing under raised buckets |
| Inspect completed ditch line | Missed blockages, unstable banks | Verify water flow is unobstructed, inspect for erosion or collapse risks |
| Remove traffic control and clean work area | Worker exposure to traffic, leftover debris | Retrieve cones and signs safely, remove tools and debris from roadway and shoulder |
| Dispose of sediment and debris | Environmental contamination, spills | Dispose of material at approved site, prevent runoff into waterways |