Roadside Safety Checklist

Minimum PPE includes: ANSI Class 3 high-visibility vest or jacket, hard hat (when overhead hazards exist), safety glasses with side shields, cut-resistant gloves, steel-toed safety boots, and hearing protection when needed. Additional PPE may include face shields for battery work, chemical gloves for fluid handling, and respiratory protection for dust or fumes. All PPE must meet OSHA standards and be in good condition. Ensure PPE requirements align with manufacturer safety bulletins for specific repairs.

Standard placement is 50 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the vehicle on the traffic side. For speeds over 40 mph, increase to 100, 200, and 500 feet. On curves or hills, place the farthest triangle before the curve or crest to give adequate warning. In fog or low visibility, add flares or strobes. For divided highways, place triangles only on your side of the road. Always walk facing traffic when placing/retrieving triangles and wear high-visibility gear.

Abort repairs immediately when: shoulder width is less than 8 feet, visibility drops below 500 feet, lightning is within 10 miles, traffic cannot maintain safe clearance, vehicle stability is compromised, hazmat leak is detected, repair requires working in active traffic lane, technician feels unsafe for any reason, or emergency vehicles need the space. When aborting, secure the vehicle, retrieve all equipment safely, and coordinate towing. Follow repair time standards but never compromise safety to meet targets.

Lone worker protocols include: mandatory check-in every 30 minutes with dispatch, GPS tracking enabled on service vehicle, emergency panic button or app, detailed arrival and departure notifications, continuous communication device on person, and predetermined abort criteria. Never attempt two-person jobs alone (heavy lifting, confined spaces, high-voltage work). If cell coverage is poor, use satellite communicator. Share exact location and estimated completion time. Have emergency services on speed dial and know nearest hospital location.

If approached by aggressive or impaired individuals: maintain safe distance, avoid confrontation, call 911 immediately, retreat to locked service vehicle if possible, document incident details and vehicle information, never turn your back on the threat. For erratic drivers entering work zone: sound horn warning, evacuate work area immediately, take cover behind barriers. Always have an escape route planned. Report all incidents to management and law enforcement. Consider requesting police assistance for high-traffic locations.

Required documentation includes: completed safety checklist for each call, photos of warning device placement, incident reports for any safety issues, PPE inspection logs, training records for roadside safety procedures, and time logs showing compliance with rest requirements. Document weather conditions, traffic volume, and any special hazards encountered. For insurance and liability purposes, photograph the scene setup before starting work. Maintain records per DOT requirements and ensure all documentation integrates with your maintenance tracking system.