Road Construction Safety Awareness

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-ROA-001  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

Why?

Prevent burnsAsphalt at 150°C causes instant, severe burns — correct PPE and safe handling procedures are essential.
Traffic riskRoad construction near live traffic exposes workers to vehicle strikes — traffic management must be in place at all times.
Health protectionBitumen fumes and silica dust cause long-term lung disease — exposure controls and RPE protect your health.
Do Don't
  • Wear thermal-protective gloves, long sleeves, and safety boots when working with hot asphalt.
  • Position yourself upwind of hot asphalt fumes wherever possible during laying operations.
  • Maintain physical separation between rolling plant and the laying gang at all times.
  • Wear hearing protection and RPE during road planing and milling operations.
  • Ensure traffic management is fully installed before starting any roadworks activity.
  • Use vacuum lifters or team lifts for handling kerbs, edgings, and heavy ironwork.
  • Follow fatigue management procedures during night shift road construction operations.
  • Coordinate movements with the paver operator and roller drivers using agreed signals.
  • Apply barrier cream and wear correct PPE when handling surface dressing materials.
  • Check all temporary traffic management remains intact throughout the shift.
  • DON'T handle hot asphalt without thermal gloves and protective clothing.
  • DON'T stand downwind of hot asphalt — bitumen fumes cause respiratory irritation.
  • DON'T work in the path of rollers or compaction plant without physical barriers in place.
  • DON'T carry out planing or milling without hearing protection and respiratory equipment.
  • DON'T start roadworks without confirmed traffic management fully installed and checked.
  • DON'T manually lift heavy kerbs or ironwork when vacuum lifters are available.
  • DON'T work excessive hours on night shifts without following fatigue management rules.
  • DON'T move into the paver or roller's path without confirming the operator has seen you.
  • DON'T ignore skin irritation from bitumen or surface dressing materials — report it.
  • DON'T leave damaged traffic management equipment in place — repair or replace immediately.

See also: Asphalt Laying Safety | Road Planing & Milling Safety