Alabama Presentation Colonels Conference

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INSTRUCTOR
TPR I MICHAEL A. NEALS 4213
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Work Zone Safety
History
Unit Responsibilities
NJ DOT Response
Unit Primary Objective
NJSP Construction Unit
Unit Partnerships
Safety Intervention Results
Dedicated Unit Advantages
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History

• Work Zone Fatalities Average 7911984 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

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Response from NJ DOT Enhance Work
Zone Safety

• Improved TrafficControl Plans
• Use of State Police on Work Sites

• Increased Training
• Improvements in Safety Devices

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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

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New Jersey Model Program

• Fosters Safety Practices and Compliance
• Law Enforcement Trained in Work Zone Traffic
  Safety
• National Recognition
• HAMMER AWARD 1998

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New Jersey Model Program

• N.J.D.O.T. N.J.S.P.
• RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TRAFFIC CONTROL COORDINATOR
  PROGRAM
• O.S.H.A. TRAINING
• TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAM
• REFRESHER TRAINING
• LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR
  UNIONS / CONTRACTORS

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NJSP Dedicated Unit
Advantages

• Statewide Jurisdiction
• Enforcement of Established Safety Guidelines
• Troopers Trained in Construction Safety
  Practices
• One Uniform Payment Procedure

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NJSP Dedicated Unit
Responsibilities

• Construction Site Supervision
• Supplement Safety
• Traffic Enforcement Activities
• Inspect and Review TCP

• Training
• Lane Closings, Escorts, Slowdowns
• Snow Removal Operations
• Overtime Management

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Duties of Police Officers at Temporary
Traffic Control Zones

• SUPPLEMENT SAFETY
• ENFORCEMENT
• INSPECT

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Points to EmphasizeNEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS
Supplement Safety

• 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

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Points to Emphasize NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS
Inspect TCP Compliance

• 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

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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

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NJSP Construction Unit Primary
Objective
Safety Compliance

• Construction Workers
• Motoring Public
• NJ DOT Workers
• Law Enforcement Personnel

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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
• Rutgers University

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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
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Could this have been prevented?
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Thank You!