Safety

Improving work zone safety is a partnership between the public, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Lone Star Infrastructure (LSI) and requires a broad, comprehensive approach to reducing hazards in construction areas. To improve traffic safety conditions and minimize inconvenience to motorists, TxDOT and LSI have identified several goals:

• Increase public awareness of the potential hazards of traveling through work zones and a motorists' responsibility for doing so safely.
• Raise employee awareness to the hazards associated with work zones.
• Provide employee training and incentive programs to promote safe work zone practices.
• Aim for zero incidents for both motorists and construction workers.

Construction of SH 130, a new tollway to help relieve congestion on I-35, will inevitably bring more highway work zones to Central Texas. For more information on safety tips and internal training for work zones, click on the following links:

Safety Training Program

Job Safety Analysis
Work Zone & Safety Monitoring
Safety Training Program
Safety Incentive Program
Equipment & Operator Certification

In a project that will construct 49 miles of a new tollway, a comprehensive safety plan provides clear communication and proper employee training. This plan includes a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), which is conducted by a safety committee on each task performed on the project. This committee consists of supervisors, superintendents, safety management and construction management personnel. The JSA identifies inherent hazards for these tasks, as well as the recommended safe work procedures to eliminate the possibility of incident while performing a specific task. Second, the JSA Worksheet is used to convey the information to the supervisors and employees who are preparing to perform the task. Next, A Safety Task Assignment (STA) is completed every day before any work begins. The STA covers task craft-specific issues on the job, such as job descriptions, locations, permits or procedures that apply to the task, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for the task. By going the extra mile in performing the JSAs and STAs, this channel of communication continues to increase employee/supervisor safety awareness and further foster employee safety knowledge.

The goal for the construction of SH 130 is ZERO INCIDENTS for construction workers and motorists.

LSI has developed an intensive safety training program for all involved employees through the course of this project. This training includes, but is not limited to the following:

As another safety measure, LSI places safety representatives throughout work zones to monitor LSI and subcontractor work activities.

LSI also conducts weekly safety meetings that will require foremen, superintendents and upper-management personnel to attend. Our approach to safety topics covers project-specific safety issues with all team members at the beginning of the work week. In other words, when a safety deficiency is identified, all personnel are briefed on the situation to ensure that a repeat offense does not occur. Another excellent tool in injury prevention is the safety topic introduced at the beginning of every coordination meeting regarding construction or office safety.

To assist motorists through construction zones, appropriate traffic control devices are used, making it safer and easier for drivers to navigate through a work zone. For their safety and that of the construction crews, motorists are encouraged to follow the posted speed limit in these areas, as well as observe all other traffic control devices.

• Work Zone Traffic Control
• Work Zone Safety
• Trench and Excavation Competent Person Training
• OSHA 10 Hour Course Specific to Road Construction
• Supervisor Safety Development Training
• Scaffold Competent Person Training
• Scaffold User Training
• Detailed Safety Orientation Specific to Road Construction

All LSI employees and subcontractors are required to complete this rigorous training program prior to beginning any work activities. The result will be a higher awareness of work zone safety.

In addition, all employees are required to demonstrate their safety understanding by passing a safety training exam prior to working in a work zone. Those individuals who pass the course, but do not exhibit 100 percent proficiency receive supplementary training and a retest before a work release is issued.

LSI has implemented an employee Safety Incentive Program to recognize excellence in workplace safety. Safety assessments are also performed at various work locations throughout the project to ensure that LSI provides the safest work environment for all employees.

Because of the amount of equipment necessary to construct SH 130, LSI has developed a certification requirement for equipment operators. Every operator, whether working with a forklift or a crane, is required to receive a certification issued by a designated equipment expert prior to operating construction equipment on SH 130. This certification requires a qualification exam and successful performance of a skills test. Once this evaluation is completed successfully, a certification is issued. If an equipment incident occurs during the course of this project, the individual's certification is revoked pending the results of the incident investigation.