Personal Safety at Incident Sites

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Personal Safety at Incident Sites

• A Maintenance Viewpoint
• CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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On the way

• Gather as many facts as you can
• - Via two-way radio, cell phone, etc.
• Be observant
• - What might you see from a distance?
• Watch for traffic backups
• - Try not to get caught in a queue that could
  delay your response be familiar with alternate
  ways in
• Call the TMC and report any adverse traffic
  conditions you may encounter
• - Information can be placed on CHIN, sent to the
  media as SigAlerts, television media, etc.

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Upon your arrival

• Think safety first, clearance second
• - Your personal safety is paramount
• - Exit your vehicle only if it is safe to do so
• Whether youre the first or the 50th
• - park in an area where you will not create a
  hazard to yourself or others
• Be aware of your surroundings
• - Any traffic considerations? Full closure?
• Hazmat? Environmental concerns?
• - Wind/weather affecting fumes, etc.?
• - Downhill vs uphill?

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Personal Safety

• Continually face traffic, if possible
• - Your best defense against errant vehicles
• Wear your appropriate PPE
• - Hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility
  garments, proper footwear, reflective gear at
  night
• Stand clear of moving equipment
• - Find a safe location out of harms way
• Act as a lookout for yourself and others
• - Everyone should be alert and ready to warn
  others of impending danger

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Other Responders

• Be careful while working around other agencies,
  tow operators, etc.
• - Their safety procedures may differ
• - Equipment may not have back alarms or other
  safety devices we take for granted
• - Some walk to the beat of a different drummer
• Fire Departments/Hazmat Contractors
• - May not be familiar with freeway/highway ops
• - May park/drive inappropriately in the incident
  zone
• - Have hoses and other tools that may create
  tripping hazards, etc. especially in the dark

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Minimizing hazmats

• Attempt to contain known materials, if possible
• - within limits of training and abilities using
  materials readily at hand
• - do not attempt if it cannot be accomplished
  in a safe manner

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During the Event

• Work with those in charge
• - CHP is the Incident Command on State Routes
• - CT Mtce Supv/Supt usually in charge of traffic
  controls, cleanup, and salvage (if directed by
  CHP)
• Stay out of the way
• - For your safety and theirs, observe from a
  safe distance
• Communicate with others
• - The local TMC
• - Caltrans Public Information Office/CHP PIO
  on-scene

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The highway is open

• If youre still on-scene
• - Need to have yourself and your vehicle in a
  safe area
• Be aware of conflict in traffic speeds
• - Impatient drivers will be speeding others
  will drive more cautiously due to residual dust,
  flying debris, etc.
• - Creates a dangerous condition for those who
  remain
• Notify TMC/others of status
• - Call in your 10-98s, etc.
• Exit the scene safely
• - Make sure you can reenter the flow of traffic
  in a safe manner

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Afterwards

• Critique yourselves and others
• - Note what went well and opportunities for
  improvement
• Get together and discuss
• - Multi-disciplinary effort involve as many
  responding agencies as you can
• - Any major issues? Minor? Personal safety?
• Document for future responders
• - Written records/reports are most always helpful

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Questions?

• Len Nelson
• California Department of Transportation
• Division of Maintenance
• Office of Maintenance Equipment and Training
• 916.643.8852
• Linda Simpson
• California Department of Transportation
• Division of Maintenance
• Office of Maintenance Equipment and Training
• 916.643.8837