Highway Contractor Safety - APWU Iowa Highway Contractor Safety.pdf · Highway Contractor Safety...

�

HighwayContractorSafetyPocket Edition

Handbook PO-516July 1998

1Handbook PO-516, July 1998

Highway Contractor Safety(Pocket Edition)

Handbook PO-516, July 1998

Preface

In 1997, 42,900 Americans died in motorvehicle accidents. According to the NationalSafety Council, most accidents are avoidable.While it is impossible to estimate what thismight mean in terms of unnecessarysuffering, if only one accident can beprevented or one injury avoided, the effort todo so is worthwhile.

The United States Postal Service is dedicatedto a goal of zero accidents, and we know thatour contractors and their drivers arededicated to this same goal. While thematerial contained in this handbook does notcover all possibilities, we believe that it will beuseful in reducing the potential for accidents.

Nicholas F. BarrancaVice PresidentOperations Support


Contents

Emergency Telephone Numbers 5. . . . . . . . .

Dock Safety 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Loading and Unloading Safety 9. . . . . . . . . . .

Yard Safety 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vehicle Safety 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disabled Vehicles 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Safe Driving Techniques 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Box Delivery Route Safety 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accident Information 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Expense Record 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vehicle Safety InspectionDaily Checklist 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Emergency Telephone Numbers

(If blank, fill in the number you use)

Contractor:

Highway Patrol:

Chemical Spills:

Administrative Official:

Postal Facilities:

(continued on reverse)


Department of Transportation:

Department of Labor:

Star Route Association: 202-543-1661

USPS Driving Safety Hotline: 1-800-477-0322

Others:


Dock Safety

Contractor and postal employees mustadhere to the following guidelines:

a. Proper clothing — if it is required orprudent, wear it.

b. Avoid horseplay, scuffling, etc., while onpostal premises.

c. Do not throw mail, empty equipment, etc.,that will endanger the safety of others.

d. Do not climb onto or across hand trucksor other rolling equipment.

e. When passing through double doors, stayto the right, be alert, and obey signs.

f. Dispose of waste, trash, etc., in theproper receptacles.

g. Do not stack mail or equipment in such amanner that vision is restricted or the loadis not stable.

h. Do not block exits.

i. Do not run on postal premises.

j. Do not jump from the platform to theground; use the steps.

k. Do not smoke in nonsmoking areas; inaddition, do not smoke while loading orunloading vehicles or when working nearmail processing conveyors or equipment.


l. When handling sacks, keep the haspsand strings under control.

m. Watch for low overheads.

n. Do not use defective (red-tagged)equipment.

o. Wear protective footwear and secureloose clothing while working aroundmachinery.

p. Do not wear jewelry, dangling necklaces,bracelets, earrings, or scarves whileworking around machinery.

q. Tie or otherwise secure long hair whileworking around machinery.

r. Remember to check and set dock platesbefore entering a vehicle. Chock wheelswhen necessary.

s. Observe dock and traffic markings.


Loading and Unloading Safety

Improper loading and unloading techniquescan result in accidents and costly expenses.Postal and contractor employees must abideby the following guidelines:

Containers

a. Push, do not pull, containers.

b. If moving containers manually, move onlyone at a time.

c. If a container is particularly heavy, gethelp.

d. Be sure that you can see to the front andsides of a container while moving it.

e. Always set the brake on a container whenit is to be left unattended.

f. Do not park your vehicle on an inclinewhen loading or unloading bulk mailcenter (BMC) containers.

g. Do not load containers higher than2 inches from the crossbar.

h. Keep your feet clear of the container’swheels.

i. Secure rolling stock containers so they donot move when the vehicle is in transit.This includes setting the brake, settingpins, and securing the container withshoring bars or straps.


Weight Limitations andLoad Distribution

You must know the weight limitations of yourvehicles. Publications, magazines, catalogs,and the like may weigh up to 50 pounds percubic foot, and may far exceed the weightcapacity of the vehicle. Limit loads of thisnature to one-half of the vertical inside heightof the vehicle. Exceeding this limitation canbreak springs, bend frames, split floors, andblow out tires, as well as dangerouslychanging the center of balance

Secure bed-loaded sacks with shoring bars orstraps to keep them from shifting duringtransit and wedging against doors.


Yard Safety

Because of congestion and traffic, cautionand common sense must prevail at all times.Accidents can occur, and they occasionallyresult in personal injuries. Contractors areadvised to consider the following whenoperating vehicles in the yard.

a. Observe posted speed limits, usually5 miles per hour (mph).

b. Follow one-way directional signs in trafficlanes.

c. Watch for pedestrian and other vehiculartraffic.

d. Park only in designated locations.

e. Observe all stop and yield signs.

f. If available, get help when backing up tothe dock.

g. Do not allow any unauthorizedpassengers. Unauthorized passengersare prohibited.

h. Set hand and parking brakes when thevehicle is parked.

i. Observe other safety regulations asdirected by the administrative official (forexample, some facilities require the use ofwheel chocks).

j. Wheels must be locked at docks.


k. Support bars must be placed under bothsides of 26- to 28-foot pups beforedisconnecting the tractor.

l. A tractor must be placed under 26- to28-foot pups before removing the supportbar or jackstands. Under no circumstanceis anyone to go underneath a trailer whileit is supported only on jackstands orsimply resting on its landing gear.

m. Dispose of all wire twist-ties in the properreceptacle.

n. Be alert for falling parcels and sackswhen opening trailer or truck doors.

o. Before moving a vehicle, make sure thatno one is in it and that equipment isproperly secured. Ensure that extendibleconveyors and other equipment (forklift,pallet-jack, and the like) have beenremoved and that the cargo doors arelocked.

p. Do not perform routine servicing ofcontractor vehicles on postal premises(that is, oil changes or filterreplacements).

q. Do not perform any major vehicle repairson postal premises.

r. Emergency minor repairs may be madeon postal premises after notifying properpostal officials.


s. Contractors and drivers are responsiblefor thoroughly cleaning up all spillsresulting from repairs, leaks, and so forth.

Note: A contractor may request a review ofany local safety requirement through theadministrative official and the transportationcontracting officer (CO). The contractorshould also report to them any hazard orunsafe condition or practice, using Form1767, Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition,or Practice.


Vehicle Safety

Highway contract route (HCR) vehicles arerequired by the terms of the contract to meetcertain minimum safety requirements, asoutlined in the following list. A Vehicle SafetyInspection Daily Checklist is included for boththe Postal Service and the contractor. Allequipment, as listed on the checklist, must befully operational. All HCR vehicles mustcomply with the appropriate provisions ofDepartment of Transportation (DOT)standards.

a. Tires

No motor vehicles may be operated onany tire that has fabric exposed throughthe tread or sidewall. Front tires musthave a tread-groove-pattern depth of atleast 4/32 inch when measured at anypoint on a major tread groove. Rear tiresmust have a tread-groove-pattern depthof at least 2/32 inch. Do not take thesemeasurements where the bars, bumps,or fillets are located.

b. Brakes

Vehicles must have a service brakesystem that can effectively control themovement of and stop the vehicle.Vehicles must have a parking-brakesystem adequate to hold the vehicleunder any conditions.


c. Seat belts

Vehicles must have a seat-belt assemblyinstalled at the driver’s seat. The vehiclemay not be driven unless the driver hasproperly fastened the seat belt.

d. Horn

Vehicles must be equipped with a hornand actuating elements that give anadequate and reliable warning signal.

e. Windshield wipers

Vehicles must be equipped with at leasttwo automatic windshield-wiper blades,one on each side of the center line of thewindshield for cleaning rain, snow, orother moisture from the windshield toclear vision for the driver.

f. Lighting devices and reflectors

The front of the vehicle must have thefollowing:

� At least two headlamps, with an equalnumber on each side.

� Two turn signals, one on each side.

� Two clearance lamps, one on eachside (top).

� Three identification lamps, mounted onthe vertical centerline of the vehicle(top), unless the vehicle is less than42 inches wide at the front roofline; inthat case, a single lamp at the centersatisfies this requirement.


The rear of the vehicle must have thefollowing:

� Two tail lamps, one on each side.

� Two stop lamps, one on each side.

� Two turn signals, one on each side.

� Two clearance lamps, one on eachside (top).

� Three identification lamps, mountedon the vertical centerline of the vehicle(top).

� Two reflectors, one on each side(bottom).

Each side of the vehicle must have thefollowing:

� One side-marker lamp at or near thefront and one side-marker at or nearthe rear (top).

� One reflector at or near the front andone reflector at or near the rear(bottom).

g. Rear-vision mirrors

Vehicles must be equipped with twooutside rear-vision mirrors, firmly attachedto each side of the motor vehicle. Themirrors must be positioned so theyprovide the driver a view to the rear, aswell as both sides, of the vehicle.However, only one outside mirror (driver’sside) is required for vehicles whoseinterior mirror gives the driver a rear view.


h. Steering

Vehicles must not have excessivesteering-wheel play.

i. Emergency equipment

Vehicles must be equipped with no lessthan the following, emergency equipmentready for use:

� Fire extinguisher, as required by theterms of the contract.

� Spare fuses, one of each type used onthe vehicle.

� Tire chains where legal and conditionsrequire them.

� Warning devices. Vehicles must haveone of the following combinations:

� Three flares (pot torches), threefuses, and two red flags.

� Three red electric lanterns and twored flags.

� Three red reflectors and two redflags.

j. Van body and trailer

Each must be waterproof and fullyenclosed with solid sides, top, and doors.The inside must be kept clean, free ofobstruction, and in good repair. Thevehicle flooring must be substantiallyconstructed, free of unnecessary holesand openings, and must not bepermeated with oil or gasoline.


Roll-up doors must be equipped withsafety chains. All doors to the cargocompartment must be equipped withlocks and kept locked while en route. Allvans and trailers modified for transportingcontainers must have full length E-tracks,shoring bars, and/or shoring straps ingood condition. Vehicles transportingBMC containers must have properlylocated stake pockets or tow-pin holes.


Disabled Vehicles

Whenever a motor vehicle becomes disabledand cannot be removed from the traveledportion of the highway or the shoulder and isnot clearly discernible to persons on thehighway at a distance of 500 feet, the drivermust immediately set out emergency signalsas follows:

a. During daylight hours, place red flags inthe center of the traffic lane 100 feet infront of and 100 feet to the rear of thevehicle.

b. When lighted lamps are required, placeflares, lanterns, or reflective triangles 100feet in front of, 100 feet to the rear of, andalong the side of the vehicle. Whennecessary (for example, if there is acurve, a crest of a hill, or some othervisual obstruction), place signals at least100 feet, but no farther than 500 feet,from the vehicle to give other driversample warning.


Safe Driving Techniques

The key to accident-free operations isdefensive driving. Drive properly yourself, butanticipate that others may not. Keep in mindthe following checklists:

Before Departing

a. No driver is to operate a vehicle whileunder the influence of alcohol, drugs,medications, or any substance that mayimpair driving capabilities.

b. Drivers should recognize the symptomsof stress, anxiety, fatigue, and otherpersonal conditions; understand that theycan be dangerous; and learn tocompensate for them.

c. No driver is authorized to operate a motorvehicle without a valid state driver’slicense. As required by federal or statelaw, and to operate a motor vehicle onpostal service contracts, a driver musthave a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

d. Remove all clutter and debris, such ascoffee cups, paper, etc., from the vehicle.

e. All windows, windshields, mirrors, and thelike must be clean, both inside and out.

f. Check to ensure that the defrosters are ingood working condition. Do not departuntil snow, mist, ice, and the like are fullycleared from the windshield and sidewindows.


g. Wear seat belts at all times when thevehicle is in motion.

h. Unauthorized passengers are notpermitted on postal contract trips or postalpremises.

While Driving

a. Obey all traffic regulations.

b. Observe posted speed limits.

c. Yield the right-of-way.

d. Use proper caution when approachingschool zones and children’s play areas.

e. Learn to recognize and adjust for thefollowing potentially dangerous places,conditions, or situations:

� Intersections

� Tailgating

� Rural roads

� Passing

� Being passed (do not insist on theright-of-way)

� Inclement weather

� Changing lanes

� Night driving

� Hazard-signal flashers

� Fueling

� Braking

� Parking


� Railroad crossings

� Construction zones

f. Use defensive driving techniques.

In Case of an Accident

Drivers should take the following actions ifinvolved in an accident:

a. Take prudent steps to ensure that noinjuries take place after the initialaccident. Use signal devices, such asflares and reflectors, to warn othermotorists.

b. To the extent practical, do not leave mailunprotected.

c. Notify the police. Notify fire department asappropriate. At the first opportunity, notifythe appropriate Postal Serviceadministrative official. In the event of afatality, notify the transportationcontracting officer.

d. Take the names and addresses ofwitnesses or other parties to the accident.

e. Record the circumstances of the accidentas soon as possible.

f. If a police report has been filed, obtaina copy.

g. LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES.


Box Delivery Route Safety

Box delivery routes pose special safetyproblems. Rural roads are the mosthazardous to drive on, and box delivery routedrivers spend the largest percentage of theirdriving time along rural roads. Surfaceconditions differ greatly and the roads oftenneed repair. In addition, box delivery routesrequire frequent stops and starts, increasingthe potential for accidents. Use extremecaution at all times. Observe the followingrules:

a. Replenishing the mail supply

When the mail supply from which you aremaking deliveries has to be replenished,pull safely off the road, dismount, andtransfer the mail from storage into theback of the truck.

b. Children

When approaching and servicing amailbox, always insist that children standwell behind it. Also insist that children waituntil after you have left before theyremove the mail from the box. Beforemoving, thoroughly survey the areaaround your vehicle, and make sure thatchildren and pets are at a safe distance.

c. Backing up

Avoid backing up. If you must back up,check carefully and, when possible, gethelp.


d. Road and weather conditions

Be aware of road and weather conditionsat all times. Watch for frozen surfaceconditions and blowing snow.

e. Overgrown bushes

Notify the postmaster or other postalofficial of the location of overgrownbushes that cause blind spots or otherhazards.

f. Signals

Always give proper signals when slowingfor a box and when pulling back onto theroadway.

g. Hazard signal flashers

Use hazard signal flashers when travelingat a slower rate of speed than normaltraffic, when using the road shoulder, andwhen visibility is limited.

h. Rules of the road

Obey all traffic signs and posted speedlimits. Practice defensive driving and try toanticipate the actions of other drivers.

i. Vehicle markings

Properly mark your vehicle to inform othermotorists that you will make frequentstops. Top flashing amber lights with anoptional removable “U.S. Mail” sign arerequired on all vehicles used for boxdelivery.


Accident Information

Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Driver License No.:

Insurance Carrier:

Vehicle License Plate No. and State

Vehicle Identification No. (VIN)

(continued on reverse)


Description of Accident


Expense Record

Date Amount Explanation


[Editor’s Note: The printed versionof Handbook PO–516 containsduplicates of the “Expense Record”sheet on pages 32–54, but thiselectronic file shows only the firstsheet.]


Vehicle Safety InspectionDaily Checklist

1. Check all tires �

2. Check service and parking brakes �

3. Check seat belts �

4. Check horn �

5. Check windshield wipers/washers �

6. Check lighting devices and reflectors �

7. Check rear-vision and side mirrors �

8. Check steering �

9. Check emergency equipment �

10. Check van body �

11. Check coupling devices �

12. Check wheels and rims �

Inspectors should (�) items that aresatisfactory and (X) items that areunsatisfactory.

An explanation of the defect (X) items mustbe listed on the reverse of the form, and thecontractor notified to correct the irregularities.

Date

Signature


[Editor’s Note: The printed versionof Handbook PO–516 containsduplicates of the “Vehicle SafetyInspection Daily Checklist” sheeton pages 55–99 (odd pages only,with the reverse side of each pageleft blank), but this electronic fileshows only the first sheet. Theprinted version ends with page 99,with the reverse side of the pageleft blank.]

Highway Contractor Safety - APWU Iowa Highway Contractor Safety.pdf · Highway Contractor Safety...

Documents

Transcript of Highway Contractor Safety - APWU Iowa Highway Contractor Safety.pdf · Highway Contractor Safety...