TPR I MICHAEL A. NEALS #4213

1. INSTRUCTOR TPR I MICHAEL A. NEALS #4213

2. Work Zone Safety History Unit Responsibilities NJ DOT Response Unit Primary Objective NJSP Construction Unit Unit Partnerships Safety Intervention Results Dedicated Unit Advantages

3. History • Work Zone Fatalities = Average 791[1984 thru 1994] Nationwide • 1994 – 828 Fatalities Nationwide • 1999 – 872 Fatalities { 700 motorist speeding thru Work Zones} Nationwide • 66% of ALL Work Zone Fatalities and Serious Injuries Occur on Highways • Highway Workers Are 20-30% More Likely to Be Killed On the Job Than in Any Other Type of Construction Work

4. Response from NJ DOT: Enhance Work Zone Safety • Improved TrafficControl Plans • Use of State Police on Work Sites • Increased Training • Improvements in Safety Devices

5. New Jersey State Police Construction Unit • 1994: Unit Established • 3 Regions [North, Central, South] • 25 Troopers • 1996: Unit Expanded • 5 Regions [Regions 1 through 5] • 45 Troopers • 1999: Reduction of Unit • 40 Troopers

6. New Jersey Model Program • Fosters Safety Practices and Compliance • Law Enforcement Trained in Work Zone Traffic Safety • National Recognition – HAMMER AWARD 1998

7. New Jersey Model Program • N.J.D.O.T. & N.J.S.P. • RUTGER’S UNIVERSITY TRAFFIC CONTROL COORDINATOR PROGRAM • O.S.H.A. TRAINING • TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAM • REFRESHER TRAINING • LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR UNIONS / CONTRACTORS

8. NJSP Dedicated Unit Advantages • Statewide Jurisdiction • Enforcement of Established Safety Guidelines • Troopers Trained in Construction Safety Practices • One Uniform Payment Procedure

9. Construction Site Supervision Supplement Safety Traffic Enforcement Activities Inspect and Review TCP Training Lane Closings, Escorts, Slowdowns Snow Removal Operations Overtime Management NJSP Dedicated Unit Responsibilities

10. Duties of Police Officers at Temporary Traffic Control Zones • SUPPLEMENT SAFETY • ENFORCEMENT • INSPECT

11. Points to Emphasize:NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS • Add to the TCP, not a Substitution • Unless Specified By Law or Special Phase of Project, Do Not Have To Be Stationary • TCP Stands Alone • High Visibility • May Respond to Other Police Calls for Assistance Backup Supplement Safety

12. Points to Emphasize:NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS • Check TCP against Field Inspection • Detect Safety Violations • Advise Resident or Inspector of Any Problems • Officer Cannot Change TCP – May Add or Adjust Devices – Discuss with RE unless Imminent Danger Exists Inspect TCP Compliance

13. Points to Emphasize:NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS Enforce Laws • Sworn Law Enforcement Officers • Part of Job is Traffic Enforcement • NO ONE has Immunity (not Contractors, Laborers, Resident Engineers or Inspectors) • Can Put Vehicles Out of Service if Unsafe • Title 39 Exception in Work Zone • Accident in Work Zone

14. NJSP Construction Unit Primary Objective • Construction Workers • Motoring Public • NJ DOT Workers • Law Enforcement Personnel Safety Compliance

15. NJSP Construction Unit Partnerships • New Jersey State Police • N.J. D.O.T. • Labor Unions • Federal Highway Administration • O.S.H.A. • Motoring Public • Law Enforcement Agencies • Rutger’s University

16. SAFETY Safety Intervention Results:July 1, 1995 - November 30, 2000 5248 Total Interventions 11,544 Employees Removed From Risk 3387 O.S.H.A. Violations Corrected 4008 D.O.T. Violations Corrected 247 Different Contractors Impacted

17. Could this have been prevented?

18. Thank You!