L11: Surveying Safety Flashcards
What are five ways that surveyors can take precautions when working in dangerous areas (specifically around traffic)?
1) Safety vests of fluorescent yellow color should always be worn
2) Flags with fluorescent yellow color can be attached to surveying equipment
3) Signs placed in advance of work areas
4) Cones and/or barricades around surveying activities to deflect traffic
5) Flaggers assigned to warn drivers or even slow/stop them
What are the dangers of surveying relating to weather and how can they be minimized?
Frostbite - to avoid: don’t do outside work on extremely cold days but if necessary wear warm clothing and don’t expose skin
Overexposure to sun can cause skin cancers, sunburns, heat stroke - to avoid: drink fluids, large brimmed hats and sunscreen, on extremely hot days begin at dawn and terminate at midday or early afternoon
What are some dangers from the environment and how can they be avoided?
Wild animals, poisonous snakes, bees, spiders, wood ticks, deer ticks, poison oak, ivy, and sumac
Have knowledge about the types of hazards that can be expected in any local area and always be alert and on the lookout for them
What is some common safety gear?
Protective boots
Protective clothing
Safety googles
Insect spray
Gloves
Hard hats
Discuss safety related to tools and equipment
Chain saws, axes, and matches are sometimes necessary for clearing lines of sight - handle them with care
Also pay attention to certain surveying instruments such as long-range poles and level rods especially around overhead wires
What are some risks and precautions at urban sites?
Greatest risk under cranes, scaffolding, and other overhead equipment
Often urban sites are small and equipment is densely clustered; workers might get themselves in path of heavy objects or vehicles and combined with loud noise, might get injured
Ear plugs or ear muffs are recommended for workers too close to a source of loud noise
What are some risks and precautions at suburban sites?
Usually you are working near fast travelling vehicles (highways, railroads)
Need precaution for every single movement - risk for workers but also travelers
Most accidents are from a lack of proper visibility so high visibility vests are important
Have signs well ahead of the surveying to alert drivers of the presence of surveyors on/by a road
Electrical incidents are rare but they are the most fatal so it is important to be extra cautious there
What are some risks and precautions at underground sites?
It is important for surveyors to understand equipment and setting of their work
Accidents happen quickly and can quickly be fatal - little room for error
Imprecise measurements can end up causing collapse or flooding of a site
GPS does not work underground
What are some important things to have on-site for safety?
First aid kit with antiseptics. ointments, bandage materials, and other equipment for minor accidents
Survey party should have cell phones and numbers to call in case of emergency
