cleaning, preservation, and lubrication of paving andsupport equipment. This includes daily inspections andadjustments, required for good operation. Malfunctionsin equipment, which go beyond those operatingadjustments performed by the EO, should be referred tothe field mechanic for corrective action. This does notrelease you from working with the field mechanic unlessyou are directed otherwise.PAVING SAFETYConstruction with bituminous materials involvesseveral hazards. One of the most serious dangers isassociated with the heating required to convert the solidor semisolid materials to a degree of fluidity which willpermit their application or mixing. As a safety measure,make sure fire-extinguishing equipment (foam type) ispresent at all times.When readying the distributor and/or asphalt kettle,be sure they are in a level position (before heating) andare located a safe distance from buildings and otherflammable materials. Keep covers closed during theheating period to prevent the escape of flammablevapors; avoid exposure to fumes from hot bituminousmaterial-stay on the windward side. Wear gloves andfull body clothing to avoid prolonged skin contact orburns from hot bituminous material.When heating bituminous materials for sprayingpurposes, you should check the temperature suggestedin table 16-2 for the type and grade being used.Remember that most of the flush points are exceededbefore the materials reach spraying or workingtemperature; therefore, additional caution must beexercised to prevent the exposure of rising fumes to anopen flame. A dense yellow cloud or vapor, rising fromthe distributor or kettle, is an indication that the materialis being overheated to the extent that a small spark issufficient to ignite the vapors.Always extinguish burners before sprayingbituminous material. When spraying, stand at least 25feet clear of the spray bar. On a bituminous distributor,spray bars have been known to blow open or rip withsudden pressure of heated materials. Remember thatbituminous material must be heated to a hightemperature, and any of this material coming in contactwith the skin will leave a serious burn.When handling asphalt that is being processed, youmust wear proper protective apparel. Wear loose, heavyclothing that is in good condition. Clothing should beclosed at the neck; sleeves should be rolled down overthe tops of gloves. You should wear cuffless trousersthat extend well down over the top of safety shoes.Goggles should be worn to prevent eye burns frombubbling or splashing asphalt. In addition, you shouldwear a safety hard hat.Frequently, bituminous operations are oftenplanned for roads that must carry traffic while work isin progress. Slow or caution signs or other warningdevices should be conspicuously placed at both 100yards and 20 yards from each entrance of the project.Flagmen, dressed in safety vests or some other safetyattire, should aid in traffic control.Most airfields must remain operational duringbituminous operations.The construction schedule,equipment routing, and maximum height of equipmentshould be discussed with the airfield safety officer.Liaison with air traffic control must be established iftrucks and other equipment are to cross runways that arein use.Machinery and mechanized equipment must beoperated only by qualified and authorized personnel. Itmust not be operated in a manner that will endangerpersonnel or property. The safe operating speeds orloads must not be exceeded. Equipment, requiring anoperator, must not be permitted to run unattended.Mounting or dismounting equipment while it is inmotion, or riding on equipment by unauthorizedpersonnel, is prohibited.All equipment, using fuel,must be shut down with the ignition off before andduring refueling operations.When paving equipment is being operated, frequentinspections of running mechanisms and attachments arethe operator’s responsibility. The operator is alsoresponsible for inspecting such items as the power train,power plant, transmission, tracks, controls, guards,loading or unloading warning devices, and receivinghoppers.When paving materials are being applied, crewmembers often become so occupied with their particularjob that they are unaware of equipment operating nearthem. For this reason, at least one crew member shouldbe designated as safety inspector to ensure thatreasonable precautions are observed within the assignedworking areas. In addition, the safety inspector shouldperiodically hold short (approximately 5 to 15 minutes)safety meetings (called stand-up safety meetings),during which the inspector briefs the crew on thehazardsaand precautions relating to current work.All hand tools used for paving purposes must bekept in good repair and used only for the purpose forwhich they were designed. When you are using hand16-43
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