Fall Safety Zone: Driving in Construction Zones | Forklift Safety

Fall 2025 Navigating Construction Zones Safely: Tips for Drivers, Workers In the summer and fall, road maintenance and construction are common for both drivers and workers. In Missouri, there has been an increase in road construction, especially with the expansion of the I-70 interstate corridor. Roadway workers are at risk because they work near traffic, and drivers face multiple hazards in these areas. Drivers When driving through a work zone, vehicle operators need to be more focused than they would be otherwise. Last year, the number one cause of crashes in work zones was driver inattention. Other top contributing factors for work zone crashes include: Following too closely Improper lane use Driving too fast for conditions Failure to yield Hazards in construction zones can include slowed or stopped traffic, sudden lane shifts, narrowed lanes, construction barriers, and the presence of workers or equipment. To navigate these hazards, good driving habits become even more critical. Follow the posted speed limits. Speed limits in construction zones are intentionally lower to allow more time for drivers to react to unexpected situations. In 2024, 11% of work zone crashes were caused by speeding. Eliminate distractions. Distractions, even for a second, can be disastrous. Turn down or turn off the radio or other audio entertainment. Loud audio can also prevent you from hearing sounds that warn of specific hazards. Cell phones are the most distracting device, and in Missouri, it is illegal to hold a phone while driving. Put your phone down and turn off alert tones. Studies show that texting negatively impacts driving more than driving under the influence. Workers Each year in the U.S., hundreds of roadway construction workers are killed in street and highway operations, mostly due to working near traffic. Some safety professionals use a risk assessment tool called "R.O.A.D. Ready" to evaluate and improve road working conditions to reduce risk. The R.O.A.D. Ready process is a framework for risk communication between frontline workers and management to apply control methods that reduce risk. The acronym stands for: Recognize the hazards associated with working on or near a roadway. Identify all potential hazards and ask questions like, "What tools and training are available to address these hazards?" and "Is there a process to review how well hazards are identified and controlled?". Observe the people and processes being used near the road to understand the risks. Check if the work is being done as planned and engage in discussions about job performance and site conditions. Assess the risk level by considering the likelihood and severity of potential harm, the effectiveness of current controls, and factors like task location, duration, and traffic flow. Determine the safest course of action by selecting controls, policies, and procedures that offer the greatest risk reduction. Examples of controls include road closures, temporary barriers, speed reductions, and hi-visibility PPE. Essential Rules for Forklift Safety Forklifts are a useful tool that make work more efficient in many applications like warehousing, manufacturing, and construction. However, their use comes with safety hazards that can be prevented by following specific policies and procedures. Key Safety Practices A forklift operator must be initially trained and certified, with refresher training and evaluation every three years. If a forklift is used around the clock, a pre-operation inspection must be done at the start of each shift. When the operator's view is obstructed by a load, they should travel with the load trailing. A spotter or rearview mirrors should be used if visibility needs to be improved. OSHA standards require drivers to slow down and sound the horn at cross-aisle areas where vision is obstructed. When on an incline, the forks carrying the load should always be pointed uphill, regardless of the direction of travel. Forks should only be raised and lowered when the vehicle is stopped with the brake set. A forklift is considered unattended when the operator is 25 feet or more away. An unattended forklift should be shut down with the brake set and the forks lowered to the ground. A seat belt must always be worn when operating a sit-down counterbalanced forklift. If the machine starts to tip, the operator should lean forward away from the impact, stay on the forklift, hold the steering wheel tightly, and brace their feet. Do not grab the overhead guard, lifting rails, roller chains, or hydraulic cylinders during a tip-over, as this can result in serious injury.  UPCOMING EVENTS/LABOR NEWS OCT. 5-11 Fire Prevention Week 2025, focusing on the safe use, charging, storage, and disposal of Lithium-Ion batteries at home. OCT. 16 The Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill NOV. 13 On-Site Safety and Health Program Training will be held in Jefferson City. Contact Daniel Stark, Program Manager, at 573-751-1223 or by email to participate. JAN. 13-15 Missouri Mine Safety and Health Conference at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Osage Beach, MO Contributing author: David K. Attebery, M.S., CSP, Mine and Cave Safety Program Manager Cited sources: PSJ – Professional Safety Journal of the American Society of Safety Professionals, June 2025 issue Safety and Health – Monthly publication, June 2025 issue   Click here to view this email in a web browser. This email is also available in a web version.   Questions? Contact Us STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions  |  Help This email was sent to ignoble.experiment@arconati.us using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Missouri Department of Labor · P.O. Box 59 · Jefferson City, MO 65104-0059 · 1-800-320-2519