Author: admin_ici

Concrete and Cement Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published 05/02/2018

Concrete and cement like most products used in construction poses hazards if not properly handled with safety in mind. By taking basic precautions, workers can safely mix, handle, and finish concrete without incident. Here are tips that can be followed to prevent the occurrence of job-related injuries:

  • Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when working with concrete and cement. This would include:
    • Waterproof gloves.
    • Long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
    • Respirators when appropriate.
    • Waterproof boots high enough to prevent concrete from flowing in when you must stand in fresh concrete.
    • Suitable eye protection such as full-cover goggles or safety glasses with side shields.
    • Hard hats when overhead hazards are present.
  • Mix dry cement in well-ventilated areas.
  • Do not ride on or work under concrete buckets.
  • When kneeling on fresh concrete, use a dry board or waterproof kneepads to protect knees from water that can soak through fabric.
  • Do not wear jewelry. Wet Cement can collect under jewelry and cause skin irritation.
  • Remove wet, cement-contaminated clothing quickly and wash the skin immediately with large amounts of cool, clean water, and pH neutral soap.
  • Don’t wash your hands with water from buckets used for cleaning tools.
  • Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, smoking or using the toilet, and before you leave the site to go home.
  • Change your shoes and clothes before getting into your vehicle to go home.
  • If you do come in contact with wet or dry cement:
    • Immediately wash the affected area with water.
    • Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes.
    • Clean and cover open sores with suitable dressings.
    • Report chemical burns or cement-related dermatitis to your supervisor.
  • Protect your back. When lifting heavy materials your back should be straight, and legs bent. Do not twist at the waist while lifting or carrying materials used to make concrete.
  • Position concrete as close as possible to its final position. Once the concrete is deposited it should be pushed, not lifted, into final position with a shovel.

Potential hazards for employees working with these products include:

  • Eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation from exposure to cement dust.
    • Eye contamination can cause redness, chemical burns and even blindness.
    • Skin irritation may be anything from contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, thickening or cracking of the skin to severe skin damage from chemical burns.
    • Silica exposure can lead to lung injuries including silicosis and lung cancer.
  • Overexertion and awkward postures.
  • Slips, trips and falls.
  • Chemical burns from wet cement.

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Flagger Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published on 04/25/2018

Work zone flaggers are the first line of defense for road construction workers and are there to help protect the public. It is a critical and dangerous job. Because they are the ones that deal with the speeding, distracted or sometimes angry driver, they must also know how to protect themselves while on the job.

What flaggers should do to protect themselves:

  • Most importantly, all flaggers should have the appropriate flagger training and have periodic refresher training.
  • Wear high-visibility clothing such as orange, yellow or green vests. Use retro-reflective vests at night.
  • Wear other protective equipment such as hard hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants, safety footwear and eyewear.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking water as sodas and energy drinks can dehydrate the body.
  • Stay alert and out of harm’s way by following these guidelines:
    • Stand alone on the shoulder in clear view.
    • Never stand in the open traffic lane.
    • Plan an escape route for emergencies.
    • Stay alert and focused on your work.
    • Make sure your hand signals don’t conflict with the traffic signals.
    • Treat motorists with respect and courtesy. Don’t pick fights or respond in anger. If a driver continues to be a problem, record the make, model, and license number of the car and report the incident to law enforcement.
    • If a driver violates your warnings and trespasses your flagging station, warn the other workers in the work zone. Establish a warning signal ahead of time for the work crew in case of an emergency.

What flaggers should avoid:

  • There are behaviors that are dangerous and should be avoided. You should not:
  • Stand where you can be crushed.
  • Stand in the shade, over the crest of a hill or around a sharp curve.
  • Leave your position until properly relieved.
  • Stand near equipment.
  • Stand in a group.
  • Participate in unnecessary conversation.
  • Read or daydream while on duty.
  • Use your cell phone.
  • Listen to music or use ear phones.
  • Turn your back on traffic.

Remember, working in traffic areas always presents some risks. The job of a flagger is an essential component of worksite safety.

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INDOT Prequalification Application – 2020 Guidance

Posted on by admin_ici

Construction Partners,

I hope this finds you and your families healthy and safe. These are unprecedented times and the Prequalification Division will be as flexible as possible with regard to the submission of Statements of Experience and Financial Condition during the 2020 busy season. We will accept electronic signatures and can make other accommodations to serve those working remotely.

Certificates of Qualification are also included in the Governor’s 60-day extension of state licenses, announced yesterday. If you need such an extension, please submit a request in writing. Such requests should be emailed as an attachment to the following recipients: Aggie Wagoner, Jose Murillo, and Chris Serak. Even if you are unable to make a request in writing due to COVID-19, we will not allow your certificate to expire.

Please note that we are still accepting applications and processing them as normal while virus-related measures are in affect. We encourage those firms that are able to complete their Statements before their current expiration to do so, rather than relying on the 60-day extension. The process for completing and submitting the Contractor’s Statement of Experience and Financial Condition will be the same this busy season as it was in 2019. The email and attachments Jose sent last year, containing specific directions regarding this process, can be found below. Please compile your submission into a single PDF if practicable. Please be aware that you no longer need to submit your safety manual.  

While COVID-19 related restrictions are in place, the Prequalification Division will be working 100% remotely. As such, we will be sending out certificates of qualification by email, to the address listed on the first page of the company’s Statement. Original certificates of qualification will not be mailed during this time.

2020 Bidding Capacity Rule Changes

The Prequalification Division’s new rules regarding bidding capacity are as follows:

  1. Firms who provide self-certified financial statements will be eligible for bidding capacity up to $1,000,000
  2. Firms who provide review financial statements will be eligible for bidding capacity up to $2,500,000
  3. Firms who provide a full CPA audit will be eligible for bidding capacity over $2,500,000

If you have any questions about the new financial rules, please contact me by phone or email. Please note that we will be phasing in the award of higher bidding capacities based on the performance history and financial condition of each applicant firm.  

DOL Links Related to COVID-19 Leave

Please also be aware of the following DOL links, containing the notices that must be posted by all employers with regard to expanded Covid19 leave.  The last link is FAQs in regards to employer’s responsibilities for posting.  

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Federal.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-poster-questions

Thank you and stay safe.

Chris

Christopher B. Serak,
Prequalification Director
Ethics Officer
Prequalification Committee (Chairman)
Selection Review Committee (Member)
Indiana Department of Transportation
Office: (317) 234-2115
Cell: (317) 440-9868
Email: chserak@indot.in.gov

INDOT and Indiana Transportation Team Ready to Go

Posted on by admin_ici

INDOT and Indiana Transportation Ready to Go
INDOT appreciates the trying times that we are all going through together. INDOT wants to ensure our partners that we are ready to go for the 2020 construction season. INDOT understands the current environment and the challenges that is presents. We are committed to working through this with our industry partners and to look for opportunities to partner together. The following is a listing of the initiatives that INDOT will be implementing immediately.

Safety
INDOT is abiding by all of the guidance provided by the Department of Health for social distancing and good hygiene. INDOT is utilizing virtual means of communication as much as possible. As always Safety of our employees, our partners, and the traveling public is first and foremost on our agenda.

Extended Work Hours
Governor Eric Holcomb’s Stay at Home order has the effect of about a 30% reduction in overall traffic. INDOT is willing to discuss options to accelerate projects through this time period by extending hours for restrictions on Interstate Highway Congestion Waivers. INDOT has reduced the review time for this by utilizing the existing traffic data and applying the 30% reduction factor to open additional time to work. INDOT is continually monitoring this situation and is available to discuss these opportunities on a contract or corridor basis. Guidance has been sent out to decision-makers to move on these requests quickly. Should traffic volumes begin to increase back to normal conditions, then INDOT would give contractors a 7-day notice to return to previous restriction time frames.

Construction
INDOT is ready to go and work effectively and efficiently with our contractors.

Testing
INDOT has also worked on efficiencies for our Testing processes to expedite approvals. INDOT is pursuing all options to expedite startup procedures for the season including but not limited to extending certification timeframes. INDOT will be postponing audits and plant inspections. Our qualified testers will have their certifications extended to May 1, 2020 to be ready to go now. 

E-Ticketing
INDOT is willing to work with industry for a more widespread use of e-ticketing. INDOT already has contractors utilizing this tool.

Supply-Chain Issues
INDOT is keenly aware that supply chains are being interrupted and will work with industry to help resolve if we can. Industry does not need to send INDOT a letter citing potential issues but only those that are currently impacting the contract. Please let INDOT construction personnel know as soon as you are aware of such issues so that we can track them together. There is not a need to explore what-ifs at this time.

Partnering and Indiana Transportation Team
Our joint membership in The Indiana Transportation Team gives us the ability to persevere through these challenges and turn them into opportunities to advance the cause. Thanks in advance to all for their efforts.

Roland L. Fegan, Jr., P.E.
Deputy Commissioner, Construction
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Ave., Room N758
Indianapolis, IN 46204
www.indot.in.gov
Office: (317) 234-8384
Cell: (317) 697-7298
Email: rfegan@indot.in.gov

Tips for Work Zone Safety

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published on 04/18/2018

Every day, highway, heavy and utility construction workers are exposed to traffic hazards as part of their daily work routine. Some of the hazards include moving construction vehicles, noise from motors and vehicles, limited visibility, night work and limited lighting, close proximity to traffic, inclement weather and slips, trips and falls.

Although work zone hazards vary, and there are no “one size fits all” procedures, here are a few tips that can be followed to help workers protect themselves in works zones.

When working in traffic, be sure to wear the required personal protective equipment such as:

  • Reflective, high-visibility vests or clothing
  • Hard hats
  • Eye protection
  • Protective footwear
  • Hearing protection

To help the motorist while protecting construction workers:

  • Have a traffic control plan and periodically review it to see if it needs to be changed. Set the work zone to avoid unclear lane markings and lane confusion.
  • Use flaggers who have been trained to use standard traffic control devices and signals. Be sure the flaggers are readily visible to traffic.
  • Observe traffic conditions to determine the volume condition of the work zone.
  • Avoid standing or parking in places that block road signage.
  • Remove construction debris that can become a hazard for motorists as well as construction workers.
  • Remove worn, old, non-reflective traffic control devices from service.
  • Strategically use vehicles and equipment as barriers between traffic and workers when other positive protections are not available.
  • Use appropriate and sufficient lighting for night work areas.

Other tips to help keep the work zone safe include:

  • Avoid complacency on the job.
  • Get plenty of rest, so you will be alert while working.
  • Be sure all underground and overhead utilities are located and marked.
  • Minimize the amount of time employees need to be exposed to traffic. Get in, get done and get out.
  • Limit the amount of personnel and equipment in the work zone to only those that are necessary for the job at hand.
  • Do not assume that equipment operators can see you. Make eye contact with the operator before crossing in front of or behind them.
  • Create out of bounds areas that are off limits to employees due to the traffic hazard.
  • Ensure that back up alarms on vehicles are functioning properly.
  • Do not run through moving traffic or machines.
  • Provide an emergency egress/escape route in case of emergency, and make sure employees know what it is.
  • Stay hydrated. Construction workers are susceptible to overexertion and heat-related illnesses. Drink plenty of water or liquids high in electrolytes like sports drinks or coconut water.

Follow these tips, and do all you can to ensure your safety and the safety of your co-workers.

Download a recording form here.