Why establish work perimeters?
Perimeters can be an important tool in limiting a contractor’s exposure to losses at a jobsite by defining the area of responsibility which is under the contractor’s control. By clearly defining where the actual jobsite begins and ends, the contractor can avoid losses attributed to his jobsite which are actually adjacent or simply in a close proximity to it.
Perimeters also help to control unauthorized public access to the jobsite and create a barrier between workers and the curious pedestrian or trespasser.
It is incumbent upon the contractor to take every precaution to exclude these persons from the work area.
Types of Perimeters
When establishing a jobsite perimeter, it is important to determine who or what you are trying to exclude from the site. Pedestrians or vehicles are two common exposures which must be controlled.
Pedestrian protection is a common concern when working in an already developed area. New housing development in an existing community is a good example. Pedestrians, as well as prospective buyers or curious trespassers do not realize the dangers presented by heavy equipment, work sites, or construction vehicles operating at the site.
There are several very simple and effective ways to define your work area and increase public awareness to the dangers at your site.
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Use cones and caution tape to increase visibility of trenches, sidewalk cuts, and incomplete restorations.
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Identify closed sidewalks or pedestrian hazards with high visibility, easily understood signs.
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Direct pedestrians to the nearest safe crossing point (crosswalk) when closing an existing sidewalk. Do not detour pedestrians into roadways unless sufficient protection has been established.
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Whenever possible, use barricades and caution tape to block unauthorized access to your site.
Traffic Protection must be established when working in or adjacent to a roadway. Working in or near moving vehicles presents some major hazards to workers. Accidents involving workers and motor vehicles are always serious and often fatal. Every precaution must be taken to isolate the work zone and protect it from vehicular traffic. The Department of Transportation maintains a safety manual for just such project types: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Cones, barricades, lights, caution tape, and signs are all components of a good traffic control set up.
Compliance with guidelines proposed by the MUTCD can assist contractors in securing a safe work site to protect workers from injury or death.
Some basic traffic protection precautions include:
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Use cones, barricades, and lights to separate the traffic lane from your work area.
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Post caution or men working signs well in advance of the approach to your work site. Maintain a minimum 500 ft buffer zone.
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Do not allow equipment to “swing out” past your defined area, if necessary, extend your work zone markings.
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Use police or “certified flaggers” to watch and control approaching traffic.
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Provide and mandate the use of reflective, high visibility safety vests when working or standing in or near the roadway. This in- cludes workers and visitors to the site.
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Contact local police and advise of time, place and nature of work being performed in or near roadway.
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Obtain and display all required roadway use , street closing or street cutting permits and comply with all stipulations regarding hours of operation and other pertinent restrictions.
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Identify and advise all workers of quickest route to nearest emergency treatment or first aid center. Maintain emergency contact list at jobsite.
In summary, remember to establish perimeter protection at any jobsite. Consider your protection protocols for pedestrians and for vehicular traffic. If needed consult the MUTCD when working in or near moving vehicles. As the contractor at the job site, defining a safe perimeter is your responsibility.
