| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Uneven terrain, slippery slopes, traffic hazards, unstable soil | Conduct site walk through; identify hazards; set up MUTCD compliant work zone if roadside; assign lookout; determine safest access routes |
| Inspect tools and materials | Broken stakes, damaged silt fence fabric, defective wattle rolls, dull staple guns | Inspect tools before use; ensure erosion control materials are intact and dry; replace defective components |
| Don required PPE | Cuts, eye injuries, slips, material handling hazards | Wear gloves, safety glasses, high visibility vest, and steel toe boots |
| Prepare installation area | Slips on wet soil, contact with vegetation or debris | Mow or clear vegetation if needed; remove rocks and debris; watch footing on slopes |
| Install silt fence | Pinch points, cuts from stakes, hammer impact injuries | Use proper post drivers; keep hands away from strike zone; ensure posts are driven to proper depth; maintain upright posture on slopes |
| Install straw wattles or fiber rolls | Heavy lifting, rolling materials, awkward loads | Use team lift for long rolls; secure wattles with stakes; keep fingers away when rolling into place |
| Install erosion control blankets | Slips on steep slopes, staple gun injuries, tripping on loose netting | Unroll blankets from top to bottom; anchor with staples or pins; avoid kneeling on unstable edges; maintain firm footing |
| Place riprap or stone for stabilization | Heavy lifting, rolling rocks, equipment contact | Use machinery for large stones; never place hands beneath rock edges; ensure stones are stable before placing additional layers |
| Apply hydroseed (if used) | Exposure to chemicals in mulch mix, hose recoil, slips | Wear gloves and safety glasses; avoid overspray near traffic; maintain clear communication with hydroseeder operator |
| Work near water bodies | Slips into channel, unstable stream banks | Stay back from edge; use waders if required; never work on undercut banks; probe soft ground with tool |
| Manage equipment movements | Struck by equipment, blind spots | Maintain exclusion zone around machinery; use radios or hand signals; spotter guides operators on slopes |
| Final inspection of installation | Slips on loose material, tripping on stakes | Walk area carefully; check for gaps or loose fabric; confirm all materials are securely anchored |
| Site cleanup | Trip hazards, leftover debris in runoff path | Remove discarded staples, broken stakes, and packaging; ensure flow lines remain clear |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic | Remove cones and signage in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest or jacket
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near equipment
Respiratory protection if working in dusty areas
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Uneven terrain, slippery slopes, traffic hazards, unstable soil | Conduct site walk through; identify hazards; set up MUTCD compliant work zone if roadside; assign lookout; determine safest access routes |
| Inspect tools and materials | Broken stakes, damaged silt fence fabric, defective wattle rolls, dull staple guns | Inspect tools before use; ensure erosion control materials are intact and dry; replace defective components |
| Don required PPE | Cuts, eye injuries, slips, material handling hazards | Wear gloves, safety glasses, high visibility vest, and steel toe boots |
| Prepare installation area | Slips on wet soil, contact with vegetation or debris | Mow or clear vegetation if needed; remove rocks and debris; watch footing on slopes |
| Install silt fence | Pinch points, cuts from stakes, hammer impact injuries | Use proper post drivers; keep hands away from strike zone; ensure posts are driven to proper depth; maintain upright posture on slopes |
| Install straw wattles or fiber rolls | Heavy lifting, rolling materials, awkward loads | Use team lift for long rolls; secure wattles with stakes; keep fingers away when rolling into place |
| Install erosion control blankets | Slips on steep slopes, staple gun injuries, tripping on loose netting | Unroll blankets from top to bottom; anchor with staples or pins; avoid kneeling on unstable edges; maintain firm footing |
| Place riprap or stone for stabilization | Heavy lifting, rolling rocks, equipment contact | Use machinery for large stones; never place hands beneath rock edges; ensure stones are stable before placing additional layers |
| Apply hydroseed (if used) | Exposure to chemicals in mulch mix, hose recoil, slips | Wear gloves and safety glasses; avoid overspray near traffic; maintain clear communication with hydroseeder operator |
| Work near water bodies | Slips into channel, unstable stream banks | Stay back from edge; use waders if required; never work on undercut banks; probe soft ground with tool |
| Manage equipment movements | Struck by equipment, blind spots | Maintain exclusion zone around machinery; use radios or hand signals; spotter guides operators on slopes |
| Final inspection of installation | Slips on loose material, tripping on stakes | Walk area carefully; check for gaps or loose fabric; confirm all materials are securely anchored |
| Site cleanup | Trip hazards, leftover debris in runoff path | Remove discarded staples, broken stakes, and packaging; ensure flow lines remain clear |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic | Remove cones and signage in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest or jacket
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near equipment
Respiratory protection if working in dusty areas