In RWP, what is the recommended action when bad weather affects visibility?

When bad weather affects visibility, increasing monitoring and implementing additional safety protocols is the best practice to ensure the safety of all workers on site. Adverse weather conditions can significantly impact the ability of workers to see potential hazards or be aware of their surroundings, which elevates the risk of accidents or other safety incidents.

By ramping up monitoring, teams can ensure that proper oversight is in place, allowing for real-time evaluation of conditions and immediate responses to any emerging hazards. This proactive approach involves assessing the ongoing weather situation and deciding if additional safety measures, such as setting up warning signs, utilizing personal protective equipment that enhances visibility, or adjusting work practices, are necessary to maintain a safe working environment.

This choice aligns with the principles of risk management within the Roadway Worker Protection framework, where safety is the foremost concern. By focusing on vigilance and adaptive strategies during challenging weather, workers are better protected from potential dangers that could arise from reduced visibility.

Other actions, such as continuing work as planned or only allowing supervisory staff to work, do not address the increased risks associated with poor visibility. Delaying work until conditions improve, while cautious, does not engage the workforce actively in assessing and mitigating risks that may still exist until conditions stabilize.