WHAT ARE THE ACCIDENTS THAT MAY OCCUR DURING ROAD CONSTRUCTION?
Announcement posted by Withstand Lawyers 30 Sep 2022
Accidents caused by the use of construction machinery used during road construction are among the possible accidents to occur in road construction works. There is a danger of the work machines colliding, the machine hitting the employees, or the work machine hitting people and vehicles that are not in the working area. In particular, in cases where the road construction work cannot be completely disconnected from the flowing traffic, the probability of the work machines hitting pedestrians and vehicles in the traffic increases. In the same situation, there is a danger of the vehicle in traffic hitting the road construction workers. (If you are injured due to an accident during the work, you may be entitled to compensation. In such a case, please contact the work injury lawyers.)
In road construction works, which are generally carried out on rough lands, accidents may occur in the near future, which may affect the employees and the driver as a result of the work machines used.
Accidents such as colliding with vehicles in the flowing traffic may occur in cases where the construction equipment used requires them to enter and exit the area where the road construction works are carried out (for reasons such as material supply).
In road construction works carried out at night, the risk of experiencing all the above accidents increases in cases where the ambient lighting is not sufficient. While working with insufficient lighting, the risk of vehicles hitting people will increase as it will be harder for the construction machines to see the workers.
Heavy materials may fall on the workers in the construction area when they are doing works such as loading and unloading. Again, there is a danger of the load lifted by cranes and similar work machines falling on the employees.
If the asphalt heater machine overheats the asphalt, the asphalt may start to burn. Combustion of asphalt also creates the risk of burning other flammable-explosive materials in the environment.
HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION
To eliminate the dust generated during road construction, the work area and its surroundings should be cleaned regularly. Methods such as sprinkling water can be used to prevent dusting of the environment. In cases where these are not sufficient and the amount of dust generated may injure the workers, the worker should use a dust mask.
Respiratory tracts, eyes and skin should be protected so that asphalt smoke, which occurs during the melting phase of the asphalt before its application and melts the asphalt and will be exposed to the employees who will apply it, does not injure the employees. Employees exposed to asphalt fumes should wear overalls, protective gloves, and goggles against splashes.
The contact of asphalt to skin should be prevented while performing works that carry the risk of touching hot asphalt. Workers working with hot asphalt should wear heat-resistant clothing and gloves.
Noise may arise from the working area, or the machinery used during road construction. Employees should be prevented from being exposed to noise and suffering from hearing loss. Employees who use noisy tools should wear ear protection. If there is constant noise due to the workplace, all employees should wear ear protection.
Work clothes should be given to the employees according to the characteristics of the season and the working environment in which the road construction work is carried out. In cases where the air temperature differs between day and night, two different clothes should be given to work in hot and cold weather.
Employees who use vibrating machines such as Hilti or who use vibrating work machines should not be exposed to vibration. Employees using vibrating handpieces should be given vibration absorbing gloves. In cases where the exposed vibration cannot be prevented, the time that the employee is exposed to vibration should be reduced. For work to be done on a vibrating machine, rotations must be made among the workers.
The areas where the employees meet their needs such as shelter, rest, dressing, toilet, shower, and eating should be cleaned frequently. Areas where drinking water is stored or eating areas should be suitable for hygiene.
If there is heavy traffic near the area of the road construction work, it should be separated from the traffic using appropriate barriers. There should be 'construction machine exit' warning signs at the points where the construction equipment will leave the working area and enter the flowing traffic for material supply.
To prevent the work machines from hitting the employees, camera systems can be used to enable the vehicle operators to see the back of the vehicles. Every vehicle must have alarm systems to warn employees during reversing, which is the most common occurrence of this type of accident.
If renovation work is being done, the road section should be separated from the flowing traffic and vehicles approaching the work area should be informed with warning signs. Likewise, employees should be prevented from going out on the road.
