Corrected - Oregon Roads No. 115

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oregon roads newsletter

Spring 2017          No. 115

Does Your Agency Need an Emergency Action Plan?

Oregon OSHA Logo

It is good to plan for workplace emergencies because the more prepared you are the more likely you and your co-workers will respond correctly when you have to deal with one.

Does Oregon OSHA require your workplace to prepare an emergency plan? The answer depends on whether another Oregon OSHA standard requires you to prepare one. Sound like a Catch-22? Don't worry.

If your workplace has more than 10 employees and must comply with any of the following rules, it must have a written emergency-action plan:

Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals – 1910.119

Hazardous waste operations and emergency response – 1910.120

Portable fire extinguishers - 437-002-0187

Fixed extinguishing systems – 1910.160

Fire detection systems – 1910.164

Grain handling facilities – 1910.272

Ethylene oxide - 1910.1047(h)(1)

Methylenedianiline​ – 1910.1050

1,3-butadiene – 1910.1051​

Methylenedianiline - 1926.60(e)(1)(iii)

An emergency-action plan describes how employees will respond to emergencies such as fires, toxic chemical releases, severe weather, and floods.

If your workplace has 10 or fewer employees and must comply with any of the above rules, the emergency-action plan does not have to be in writing.

The following are required in your emergency action plan:

Emergency-escape procedures and escape-route assignments

Procedures for employees who must oversee critical plant operations before evacuating

Procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation

Employee rescue and medical duties

Procedures to report fires and other emergencies

Names of persons to contact for information about employees’ duties under the plan

Additional resources are listed below.  Oregon OSHA is also happy to answer questions.  Call them at 800-922-2689 or email them.

Resources:

Emergency action plan checklist

Emergency action plan sample for small businesses

OSHA's Expecting the unexpected: what to consider in planning for workplace emergencies  is available in hardcopy by calling (503) 986-2855 or emailing the T2 Center.

Training Calendar


About T2 Center


Steering Committee


T2 Logo

555 13th Street, Salem, OR  97301

(503) 986-2855

T2Center@odot.state.or.us

www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_T2


Oregon Roads is a quarterly publication of the Oregon Technology Transfer (T2) Center, furnishing information on transportation technology to local agencies. It is distributed free of charge to cities, counties, tribal governments, road districts, and others with transportation responsibilities. The opinions, findings or recommendations expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oregon Department of Transportation or Federal Highway Administration. We do not endorse products or manufacturers. Where names of either appear, it is only to lend clarity or completeness to the article. Space limitations and other considerations prohibit us from providing an advertising service to our readership.


Co-Editors:
Rebekah Jacobson, Director
Linda Milligan, Training Coordinator


local and tribal technical assistance program

Are You Looking for Specialized Maintenance Training?

Snowplow

The ODOT Maintenance Academy is a bi-annual, 12 day event held spring and the fall each year in Bend.  It covers everything from workzone traffic control, to winter operations, and heavy equipment operation.  It has become in most part a “boot camp” for new ODOT maintenance employees.  The 12 day training event is split between classroom, and hands on practical’s.  Over 50 instructors from across the state cycle through, and an average of 40 students attend each Academy.  Our instructors are from the field, and are the best of the best in their topic of instruction.  The heavy equipment training portion is held in a 35 acre pit on the way to Mt. Bachelor. 40 to 50 pieces of equipment ranging from Bobcat skid steers with various attachments, to trackhoes, and loaders are all part of the training.

This year, the Oregon T2 Center has partnered with ODOT Maintenance to provide two openings in the Spring Academy for T2 Customers.  The academy will be held April 24-May 5, 2017 (including the weekend).  The training is free of charge and all you need to send is your employee - travel and lodging is your responsibility.  If you are interested in sending an employee to this training, email or call us!

From the Director...

Sue Raynor

Personnel Changes

Sue Raynor began March 1st as the new Circuit Rider/trainer for the T2 Center.  She comes to us with a bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety and Health as well as a 25 year safety background.  She joins our two other Circuit Riders in providing safety focused training and technical assistance to cities, counties, and tribal nations throughout Oregon. 

Join us in welcoming Sue to her new role! 

Rebekah Signature

Oregon T2 Center Director

2017 National Public Works Week

Public Works Week Poster

Public Works Connects Us

May 21-27, 2017

This year National Public Works Week celebrates the vital role public works plays in connecting us all together. As the cornerstone of civilization, public works provides, maintains, and improves the structures and services that assure a higher quality of life for our communities. Its streets, roads, bridges, and public transportation keep us linked together from coast to coast, and its clean water and sanitation services keep us healthy and allow our communities to grow and prosper. APWA proudly salutes and thanks the tens of thousands of public works professionals who work tirelessly throughout North America every day to strengthen the bond that keeps us all connected.

State Funded Local Projects (SFLP): An Alternate option for Federal-aid Local Project Delivery

State Funded Local Projects (SFLP) is a new process for the 2015-18 STIP to provide state funds for federal projects selected under ODOT or Transportation Management Area (TMA) funding programs. Local agency projects are eligible for SFLP if they are selected through All Roads Transportation Safety (ARTS), Enhance, Local Bridge, and Active Transportation Discretionary selection processes. A portion of Surface Transportation Program Urban (STP-U) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds managed by Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) are also eligible for state funding. All local agencies are eligible for state funding through SFLP, subject to certain limitations. Agencies outside of TMAs can state fund projects up to $5 million in total cost. Agencies inside TMAs can state fund projects up to $1 million in total cost. Federal-aid projects not eligible for state funding must be delivered as federal projects by either a certified agency or by ODOT.

SFLP is similar to the current Surface Transportation Program (STP) Fund Exchange process that many cities and counties utilize in that ODOT provides 94 cents on the dollar up to the state share of project costs. SFLP is different in that (1) state funding is provided to a specific project selected through ODOT or TMA processes instead of a general allocation to agencies; (2) state funds are spent first, followed by local agency funds if needed; and (3) local agencies must complete a Final Inspection Form with their LAL at project closeout. For ARTS projects, agencies must submit final cost and as-constructed drawings. For bridge projects, agencies must submit the same materials as ARTS projects, plus Structural Analysis Information, Foundation Reports, Hydraulic Reports including Scour Analysis, Pile Records, and the Final Load Rating. SFLP does not change or replace the current STP Fund Exchange process, but instead provides a new state funding option.

Projects currently approved for SFLP are posted to ODOT’s Project Funding webpage along with a printable overview handout. Local agencies interested in state funding through the SFLP process should contact their region Local Agency Liaison first to discuss options. For questions about the contents of this article or State Funded Local Projects generally, contact the following ODOT staff:

Scott Adams, PE

Local Agency Liaison, SW Area

541.957.3636 | scott.adams@odot.state.or.us

 

Cole Grisham, AICP

Local Public Agency Coordinator

503.986.3531 | nicholas.grisham@odot.state.or.us

Safety Circuit Rider Corner

HSRC Logo

Free Road Safety Fundamentals Course

Join transportation professionals from across the country for an in-depth study of the fundamentals of road safety. Presented by the Road Safety Academy of the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, Road Safety 101 is a free online course designed for individuals new to transportation-related fields. It is based on the NCHRP 17-40 Model Curriculum for Highway Safety Core Competencies. After completing this course, students will understand the basics of developing and implementing successful, collaborative road safety programs. Students will gain a better understanding of road safety data collection, analysis, and evaluation. Weekly sessions on Thursdays begin May 11 and go through June 29. Session time is 10-12 weekly. Application deadline is March 30.

Click here to find out more and to complete an application.

What's Wrong with this Picture?

What's Wrong with this Picture?

TC3 Training and Resources

TC3

Free Courses

TC3 is offering both Maintenance of Drainage Features for Safety and Earthworks Series: Evacuation at no cost through the end of March 2017!

TC3 currently has 13 courses that are always free.  Check them out at https://training.transportation.org/category_item.aspx?id=FC

90% of TC3 Curriculum Now PDH-Eligible!

TC3 has always provided a robust online construction, maintenance, and materials curriculum and is constantly looking for new ways to offer the best possible training to the technical workforce. TC3 is excited to announce that more than 90% of the 120+ courses are recommended for professional development hours (PDHs)! When a trainee takes a PDH-eligible course, the training hours can contribute toward continuing education for licensure renewal.

Additional Resources

TC3 not only provides technicians with excellent web-based courses that have been developed by TC3, but also provides access to other training resources that exist.

There are many good web-based classes and safety videos that have been developed by other organizations throughout the country. Most resources are free, but some may have a charge through the organization providing them. Please use this information to assist in providing educational information to your technicians.

https://tc3.transportation.org/training-resources/additional-training-resources/

Oregon’s 2016 Statewide Traffic Incident Management Conference

When a crash happens on the road, we depend on traffic incident first responders to provide aid and clear the scene. But every year nationwide, we lose an average of 12 law enforcement officers, five fire and rescue personnel, and 60 tow and recovery professionals — all from secondary struck-by incidents while on a scene. Oregon’s first responders are on a mission to combat this fatal trend.

On Sept. 13, ODOT collaborated with Oregon State Police and the Federal Highway Administration to host Oregon’s 2016 Statewide Traffic Incident Management Conference. Dedicated to responder safety, this annual conference encourages cross-disciplinary communication and efficiency and safety training for first responders statewide.

ODOT’s Incident Management Coordinator Darin Weaver greeted about 70 representatives from law enforcement, transportation, towing, and fire and rescue as they gathered in Salem’s Hall of Heroes for the event.

Weaver shared that as of August, Oregon has trained 13.7 percent of its 26,350 first responders, gaining on the national average of 16.8 percent responders trained.

Momentum is critical for safety

2016 TIM Conference

Changing the current culture is necessary to maintain the program’s momentum, Chief Deputy and Undersheriff Dan Kontos of the Portage County Sherriff’s Office in Wisconsin explained to the group. He discussed a dangerous and untrained incident scene that had resulted in a serious injury to a responder. That incident became the catalyst for change in Wisconsin’s own TIM program. Kontos shared his keys to changing culture and developing collaboration, facilitated with honesty and celebration of success.

Oregon celebrated its own successes at the conference. TIM trainers were recognized for their invested hours and commitment that helps keep first responders alive and safe. The winners attending the event were Sergio Mendoza from ODOT Region 3, Gary McClellan from Ray’s Towing in Eugene, Justin Guinan from Tangent Fire and Rescue, and David Moyer from ODOT Region 4. Darin Weaver was presented with the Diamond Recognition for the numerous hours he has dedicated to training.

Collaboration plays a huge role

Also celebrated was the inclusion of all first responder “voices” in the effort to collaborate among disciplines. To highlight the important integration of local agencies, ODOT Region 3 Public Information Officer Gary Leaming shared the success of Rogue Valley’s TIM team as they applied program principles to the OR 62 Expressway construction project. Board members from the Oregon Tow Truck Association showed their appreciation for the progressive involvement of their workers in first responder training and discussions, as tow professionals are often in the most danger when on a scene.

The conference armed responders with tangible tools they need for efficiency and safety. Groups walked through a static incident scene in the outside training village, illustrating the proper manuals and methods to approach a scene. Tools such as an incident database and a Robotic Total Measuring System showed attendees just how much technology can transform their work efficiency.

“I’d like to thank everyone who helped put this event together,” Weaver noted — another successful collaboration!

For more information, Oregon TIM responders invite you to like the Oregon TIM Responders Facebook page and join the community.

Reprinted with permission from InsideODOT

Using Data to Improve Traffic Incident Management

TIM

Through Every Day Counts (EDC) round four, the Federal Highway Administration is promoting the use of low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies to collect data to improve traffic incident management (TIM).

TIM-related data can be collected with existing advanced transportation management systems, computer-aided dispatch software, electronic crash reporting systems, and smart devices. Some transportation agencies already collect data with each of these systems.

The Arizona Department of Transportation, for example, modified its Traffic and Criminal Software—or TraCS—system at a low cost to collect data for three key TIM performance measures: roadway clearance time, incident clearance time, and number of secondary crashes.

Tennessee uses a locally developed electronic crash reporting system that collects data for two of the standard performance measures.

Visit FHWA’s TIM Knowledge base for tools and resources on practices and performance measurement.

Circuit Rider Corner

Distracted Driving

by Tony Jobanek

In today’s driving environment with all of the risks we face on the road, distracted driving has become the top cause of crashes, deaths and injury on the American roadway.   Distracted drivers have existed since the first automobile, but more recently driving risk has increased exponentially with the emergence of cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle.

Drivers have long had the allure of driving while distracted.  You are driving distracted if you are eating, drinking, grooming, reading, using a navigation system, watching a video, adjusting a radio-CD player- MP3 player or just making eye contact with your passengers,   Distracted drivers have put themselves and other road users at risk for a long time.  Studies have shown distracted driving is equivalent in risk to drunk driving!  With the advent of the cell phone, distracted driving has grown to new dangerous levels. 

Texting while Driving

The CDC (Center for Disease Control and prevention) has outlined the primary driving distractions into the following three categories:

Visual: taking your eyes off the road;
Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and 
Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving

In 2014 over 413,000 people were injured by distracted drivers.

The use of cell phones while driving is a heightened risk to you and others on the road.  Remember driving is your primary focus while behind the wheel.  In Oregon, drivers under 18 years of age are not allowed to use a mobile communication device while operating a vehicle.  Drivers 18 years of age and older are required by Oregon law to use a hands free accessory while operating a motor vehicle.  Although studies have shown the crash risk of a hands-free model is just as great as using a hand-held phone due our conversations taking away attention from our driving responsibilities.

Texting is even more dangerous than talking on a cell phone.  A NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) study showed drivers engaged in a phone call while behind the wheel had a 2.3 times greater chance of being involved in a crash.  The same study indicated the texting driver had a 23.2 times greater risk of being in a crash compared to someone not distracted.  Because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming and dangerous distraction.

A Dartmouth study showed the use of cell phones as having the same potential psychological effect as someone with a gambling addiction.  The safest way to use cell phones is to pull off the road before making your call.  

Here is your  homework challenge, the next time you drive home from work shut off your phone, when you pull into your driveway ask yourself an honest question, did it bother me or give me anxiety to have the phone off?  By shutting off your phone while you drive, you will not have the temptation to look at it, make a call, text or look something up on the internet.  There are also numerous smart phone apps that can be used to curb the temptation to use your phone while driving.

Remember, by not driving while distracted, you will be doing yourself, your family, and other road users a huge favor not risking their lives by driving distracted.

Roads Scholar Spring Schedule

RS Logo

The Roads Scholar spring 2017 schedule is published!  Classes are on a first-come, first-served basis and registration will close when the class is full.  

Level 1 classes - Central and Eastern Oregon

RS-1 Basics of a Good Road, RS-2 Drainage: Key to Roads that Last, RS-9 Maintenance Math, and RS-10 Introduction to Survey will be offered the following dates and locations:

April 18-19 in Island City

April 25-26 in The Dalles

May 10-11 in Redmond

Level 2 classes

RS-11 Workplace Safety Training 1 will be offered in The Dalles on April 10.

RS-15 Roadway Safety Fundamentals 2 will be offered in the following dates and locations:

April 19 in Hillsboro

May 19 in Eugene

May 17 in Bend

Click here for class schedule, information, and registration.

Safety Analyst Analytical Tools Available

Safety Analyst Tools

Safety Analyst is a set of software tools used by agencies for highway safety management. Safety Analyst implements state-of-the-art analytical procedures for use in the decision-making process to identify and manage a systemwide program of site-specific improvements to enhance highway safety by cost-effective means. The software automates procedures to assist highway agencies in implementing the six main steps of the highway safety management process, including: network screening, diagnosis, countermeasure selection, economic appraisal, priority ranking, and countermeasure evaluation. Safety Analyst was developed as a cooperative effort by FHWA and participating state and local agencies.

The Network Screening identifies sites with potential for safety improvements.

The Diagnosis Tool diagnoses the nature of safety problems at specific sites.

The Countermeasure Selection Tool assists users in the selection of countermeasures to reduce crash frequency and severity at specific sites.

The Economic Appraisal Tool performs an economic appraisal of a specific countermeasure or of several alternative countermeasures for a specific site.

The Priority Ranking Tool provides a priority ranking of sites and proposed improvement projects based on the benefit and cost estimates determined by the economic appraisal tool.

The Countermeasure Evaluation Tool provides the capability to conduct before-and-after evaluations of implemented safety improvements.

More information about Safety Analyst is available at http://www.safetyanalyst.org/.

Roads Scholar Graduates

Eugene Roads Scholars

City of Eugene Roads Scholars

[left to right] Kevin Leidall, Cory Jensen, Leobardo Corrales, and Brian Siria.


Josephine County Roads Scholars

Josephine County Roads Scholars

[left to right] Ryan Gregory, Reuben Hayden, and Jerrod Bruner.


Marion County Roads Scholars

Marion County Roads Scholars

[center] Don Newell and Evelyn Pech present [left] Ray Boring and [right] Brent Garrison their Roads Scholar certificates.


Umatilla County Roads Scholars

Umatilla County Roads Scholars

[left to right] Umatilla County Board of Commissioners chairman Larry Givens and Public Works Director Tom Fellows present Doug Hall, Loren Bullock, and Cory Hardy their Roads Scholar certificates.

Crash Modification Factors Clearinghouse

CMF Logo

The CMF Clearinghouse, available at www.CMFClearinghouse.org, offers transportation professionals a central, Web-based repository of CMFs, as well as additional information and resources related to CMFs. The CMF Clearinghouse was established to provide transportation professionals:

  • A regularly updated, online repository of CMFs,
  • A mechanism for sharing newly developed CMFs, and
  • Educational information on the proper application of CMFs.

Both CMFs and Crash Reduction Factors are presented in the clearinghouse because both are widely used in the field of traffic safety.

CMF Trainings

Application of Crash Modification Factors Course (Self-Paced Lesson and Live Webinar)

Free Online HSM Overview Self-Paced Training

Application of Crash Modification Factors (CMF)

Science of Crash Modification Factors

New Approaches to Highway Safety Analysis

Online Resources

Tribal Transportation Safety

Tribal Transportation Safety

http://www.tribalsafety.org/

An online community for practitioners that have a role in reducing injuries and fatalities from transportation incidents. Contents of this site are provided by participating Tribes, Federal and State partners and TTAP Centers.

Analysis of Construction Quality Assurance Procedures on Federally Funded Local Public Agency Projects

Analysis of Construction Quality Assurance Procedures on Federally Funded Local Public Agency Projects

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/15008/15008.pdf

Approximately 20 percent of the Federal-aid highway program is invested in local public agency (LPA) infrastructure projects. This report documents current construction QA practices from both State transportation department and LPA perspectives, identifies specific issues or areas of weakness in QA practices, identifies existing successful QA practices, and makes recommendations that can be implemented to generally improve construction QA across the full spectrum of LPA projects and State transportation department programs. Recognizing that there are significant differences in LPA capabilities and project types, the recommendations consider both large and small LPAs, and differences among State transportation department programs.

Pavement Management Webinars

Pavement

The next webinar will be conducted on April 20, 2017 from 2:00-3:30 pm Eastern Time and cover Chapter 4 – Pavement Condition Assessment. In addition, a state and local representative will give their perspective on how they are implementing Sections 4.1 to 4.5. The remainder of the chapter will be covered in the July webinar. Additional information on the webinars and recordings may be found at FHWA’s Pavement Management and Performance website (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/mana.cfm).

There is no cost for this Webinar but registration is required. To register for the webinar, go to:
https://collaboration.fhwa.dot.gov/dot/fhwa/WC/Lists/Seminars/DispForm.aspx?ID=1037

Background

FHWA, AASHTO Joint Technical Committee on Pavements, TRB Committee AFD10, Pavement Management Systems, and AFD20, Pavement Condition Evaluation, are hosting a series of quarterly webinars. The purpose of the webinars is to provide a forum for education and communication for pavement management practitioners. The initial focus of the webinars will be a “book club” format of the Pavement Management Guide, Second Edition 2012 published by AASHTO.

Upcoming Workshops

Uniform Traffic Control Devices Workshop

April 25-27

This course is designed for persons responsible for signing, signalization, and road marking. The class provides instruction and practice in the use of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Oregon supplements to the Manual. Changes in the 2010 Manual will be addressed. 

This workshop will provide an in-depth understanding of the warrants, applications and use of traffic control devices as required by the 2010 MUTCD and Oregon Supplements.

Click the following link for a more detailed description of the class and information on how to register: http://cce.oregonstate.edu/traffic-safety-workshops.

Image of road work sign

Temporary Traffic Control Plans Design Workshop

May 11-12

This training provides Traffic Control Plan designers, inspectors and their leaders the principles and practices of Traffic Control Plans (TCP) Design.

Click the following link for a more detailed description of the class and information on how to register: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/Training/docs/training/EG001792_051117-051217_TCP.pdf

Answer to What's Wrong with This Picture

This flagger has put themselves at risk in a couple of ways.

When possible, always try to stand on the shoulder of the lane you are controlling.  If you must move to the center lane, never turn you back on traffic.  While it is acceptable for a flagger to move near to the center line once several vehicles have stopped, only do so if the flagger's visibility is better due to curves or large vehicles blocking oncoming driver’s sight of the flagger.

When flagging, it is advisable to use a support pole for your stop/slow sign to ensure fatigue does not force you to do what this flagger is doing.  Also, to permit unobstructed vision of all traffic flow from the flagging station, the bottom of the stop/slow sign should be above the eye level of the flagger.


Upcoming Training