cleaning, preservation, and lubrication of paving and
support equipment. This includes daily inspections and
adjustments, required for good operation. Malfunctions
in equipment, which go beyond those operating
adjustments performed by the EO, should be referred to
the field mechanic for corrective action. This does not
release you from working with the field mechanic unless
you are directed otherwise.
PAVING SAFETY
Construction with bituminous materials involves
several hazards. One of the most serious dangers is
associated with the heating required to convert the solid
or semisolid materials to a degree of fluidity which will
permit their application or mixing. As a safety measure,
make sure fire-extinguishing equipment (foam type) is
present at all times.
When readying the distributor and/or asphalt kettle,
be sure they are in a level position (before heating) and
are located a safe distance from buildings and other
flammable materials. Keep covers closed during the
heating period to prevent the escape of flammable
vapors; avoid exposure to fumes from hot bituminous
material-stay on the windward side. Wear gloves and
full body clothing to avoid prolonged skin contact or
burns from hot bituminous material.
When heating bituminous materials for spraying
purposes, you should check the temperature suggested
in table 16-2 for the type and grade being used.
Remember that most of the flush points are exceeded
before the materials reach spraying or working
temperature; therefore, additional caution must be
exercised to prevent the exposure of rising fumes to an
open flame. A dense yellow cloud or vapor, rising from
the distributor or kettle, is an indication that the material
is being overheated to the extent that a small spark is
sufficient to ignite the vapors.
Always extinguish burners before spraying
bituminous material. When spraying, stand at least 25
feet clear of the spray bar. On a bituminous distributor,
spray bars have been known to blow open or rip with
sudden pressure of heated materials. Remember that
bituminous material must be heated to a high
temperature, and any of this material coming in contact
with the skin will leave a serious burn.
When handling asphalt that is being processed, you
must wear proper protective apparel. Wear loose, heavy
clothing that is in good condition. Clothing should be
closed at the neck; sleeves should be rolled down over
the tops of gloves. You should wear cuffless trousers
that extend well down over the top of safety shoes.
Goggles should be worn to prevent eye burns from
bubbling or splashing asphalt. In addition, you should
wear a safety hard hat.
Frequently, bituminous operations are often
planned for roads that must carry traffic while work is
in progress. Slow or caution signs or other warning
devices should be conspicuously placed at both 100
yards and 20 yards from each entrance of the project.
Flagmen, dressed in safety vests or some other safety
attire, should aid in traffic control.
Most airfields must remain operational during
bituminous operations.
The construction schedule,
equipment routing, and maximum height of equipment
should be discussed with the airfield safety officer.
Liaison with air traffic control must be established if
trucks and other equipment are to cross runways that are
in use.
Machinery and mechanized equipment must be
operated only by qualified and authorized personnel. It
must not be operated in a manner that will endanger
personnel or property. The safe operating speeds or
loads must not be exceeded. Equipment, requiring an
operator, must not be permitted to run unattended.
Mounting or dismounting equipment while it is in
motion, or riding on equipment by unauthorized
personnel, is prohibited.
All equipment, using fuel,
must be shut down with the ignition off before and
during refueling operations.
When paving equipment is being operated, frequent
inspections of running mechanisms and attachments are
the operators responsibility. The operator is also
responsible for inspecting such items as the power train,
power plant, transmission, tracks, controls, guards,
loading or unloading warning devices, and receiving
hoppers.
When paving materials are being applied, crew
members often become so occupied with their particular
job that they are unaware of equipment operating near
them. For this reason, at least one crew member should
be designated as safety inspector to ensure that
reasonable precautions are observed within the assigned
working areas. In addition, the safety inspector should
periodically hold short (approximately 5 to 15 minutes)
safety meetings (called stand-up safety meetings),
during which the inspector briefs the crew on the
hazardsaand precautions relating to current work.
All hand tools used for paving purposes must be
kept in good repair and used only for the purpose for
which they were designed. When you are using hand
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