Jake Elovirta, director of compliance and enforcement programs for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, shared four areas to keep roadside service technicians safe on The Truck Stops Here podcast.
- Develop Company Policies
During the podcast, Elovirta recommended that organizations have policies and standards in place that guide technicians’ work.
“A good starting point is what the state’s OSHA requires,” he said, adding that truckstop and travel center operators should set expectations about safety gear. “Do you require a traffic vest if they’re going to be out on the road for a long time?”
- Reflective Workwear
Manufacturers make workwear with integrated reflective material or colors to make employees visible at the roadside. Service vehicles should also have reflective markings or warning lights to get drivers’ attention. “There are certain standards, particularly in the fire service, for markings. Law enforcement is doing the same thing and you’re starting to see that in the service industry as well,” Elovirta said.
- Sophisticated Lighting
Service vehicles are also starting to use more sophisticated lighting, which Elovirta said should be visible but not distracting. “You don’t want to dazzle the passing motorist with bright LEDs,” he said.
- Use the Best Signage
Signage warning passing vehicles that a repair vehicle is ahead is also helpful. “The other thing I’m seeing more now is digital or electronic roadside flares...that you can put out outside of your vehicles,” Elovirta said, adding that lighting is even more effective than cones.
The service industry is becoming more collaborative, and businesses can get involved with the Federal Highway Administration's Traffic Incident Management program. “It is a multidisciplinary process to detect, respond to and restore traffic,” Elovirta said. “TIM is an opportunity to work with your local DOTs, law enforcement and fire/EMS. All of them have a key component to the process.”
During the podcast, Elovirta also discussed move-over laws that require drivers to slow down or change lanes as they approach vehicles on the side of the road. “Most states have a move-over law in place, but the nuances of the language might be different,” he said. “The language also includes whether or not tow trucks and repair vehicles are covered.”
Listen to the full podcast episode here.
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