Ardaman & Associates, Inc.

A Tetra Tech Company

Newsletter February 5, 2020

Inside this issue:

Safety Question:

How often should

you check your mir-

rors while driving?

A. 2 seconds

B. 5-8 seconds

C. 3-4 seconds

D. Never

Answer on page 5

Contact Information:

Health & Safety

Brett A. Buxbaum and Alicia

Luna

P: (407) 855-3860

Brett Cell: (407) 509-3085

BBuxbaum@ardaman.com

ALuna@ardaman.com

Driving Safety Page 1,2,3

Ardaman Update Page 4,5

Quiz Page 6

Driver Distractions What is Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, adjusting the radio, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. It is illegal in both Florida and Louisiana.

You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

There were 3,166 people killed by distracted driving in 2017 per the National Highway Department of Transportation. In 2019, distracted driving was a reported factor in 8.5% of fatal motor vehicle crashes.

Distracted driving comes in 3 different forms:

• Cognitive distraction. Cognitive or mental distraction is when a driver's mind isn't focused on driving. Talking to another passenger or being preoccupied with personal, family, or work-related issues are some examples.

• Visual distraction. Visual distraction occurs when a driver looks at anything other than the road ahead. Drivers who check the kids' seat belts while driving are visually distracted. Electronic devices in the car, such as GPS devices and portable DVDs/digital entertainment systems, also distract drivers. There are also visual distractions outside the vehicle.

• Manual distraction. Manual distraction is when the driver takes one or both hands off the wheel for any reason. Some common examples include eating and drinking in the car, adjusting the GPS, or trying to get something from a purse, wallet, or briefcase.

Texting and driving is particularly dangerous because it involves all 3 forms.

5 tips to avoid common driving distractions

Keeping your focus on the road can be easier said than done. Here are some things you can do to avoid this common problem.

• Turn off your cell phone — even if you're expecting an important business call.

• If you need to be reachable at all times, use a hands-free device. Be careful even with hands-free devices as studies have shown it to be just as distracting as normal cell phone use while driving.

• When driving with children or pets, make sure the kids are strapped into their seats and pets are in carriers. If they need your attention during the drive, pull over before handling the situation.

• Eat before or after you drive. Just don't eat while driving.

• Program your GPS before you leave the driveway.

Driving and multitasking don’t mix...

We know it's tempting to answer that email or reprogram that GPS which just rebooted itself for the third time. But if you're able to resist the temptation and focus on the road ahead, you'll be able to react to the unexpected and maybe even avoid an accident.

Page 2

Driving Continued

“ One Text Or Call Could Wreck It All! ”

Top 10 Causes of Distracted Driving—and What They All Have in Common

It’s no surprise that distracted driving is a major cause of car-related injuries and deaths. In fact, it’s estimated that roughly 25% of motor vehicle accidents are a result of distracted driving.

But what causes us to be distracted while driving in the first place? A Pennsylvania-based insurance company examined data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which surveys all American motor vehicle fatalities.

The results reveal the top ten causes of distracted driving, and make it clear that not all distractions are created equal.

# 10 Smoking related– 1%. Only one in a hundred accidents is related to lighting a cigarette, smoking or putting it out.

# 9 Moving objects – 1%. Moving objects in the car such as insects and pets can lead you to take your eye off the road—and at least one source suggests that it may be an underreported cause of distraction.

# 8 Using devices/controls to operate the vehicle – 1%. Surprisingly, adjusting things like mirrors or seatbelts plays a relatively minor role in distraction-related car accidents.

# 7 Adjusting audio or climate controls – 2%. Adjusting the radio or A/C for even a moment is a factor in a small number of traffic fatalities.

# 6 Eating or drinking – 2%. Every car has cup holders—and using them can be a definite source of distraction.

# 5 Using or reaching for a device brought into the car – 2%. We all know that using devices like cell-phones can take our minds off the task of driving. But it turns out that even reaching for them can lead to a serious accident.

# 4 Other occupants – 5%. Other people in the car can place major demands on your attention when you’re driving, which can result in a collision.

# 3 Outside person, object or event – 7%. It turns out that looking at something or someone outside the car, like gawking at an accident or at people in other cars, is even more of a distraction than the person in the passenger seat.

# 2 Cellphone use – 12%. The second-leading cause of deaths due to distraction-related car accidents won’t be a surprise to anyone, as cellphones while driving (even the hands-free options) can distract us in a number of ways. But if they’re not the biggest cause then what is?

# 1 Generally distracted or “lost in thought” – 62%. By far the biggest cause of distracted driving fatalities is a driver’s mind wandering for long enough to lead to a collision—and someone’s death.

Though these 10 factors have a vastly different rate of occurrence, what’s interesting is they all have one thing in common. The one factor in every distracted driving accident is drivers paying attention to something other than driving. So what causes so many drivers to feel they can take their eyes and mind off the road?

There’s a simple but dangerous answer; complacency.

After you’ve been driving for a while you get comfortable and can forget just how dangerous it can be because you’re complacent to the risks of driving. As a result, you’re more likely to think that you can send a quick text or daydream without putting yourself in danger.

Compounding the problem are other states of mind like rushing, frustration and fatigue. These can further contribute to taking your eyes and mind off the task of driving and influence your decisions to do things when driving that increase your risk of a collision.

Page 3

Driving Continued

Defensive Driving: The 5 Keys

Before Driving:

√ Do the Safety Walk Around the Car.

√ Adjust your Seat.

√ Adjust Your Mirrors.

√ Adjust Your Headrest.

√ Adjust the steering wheel.

√ Do your “Seatbelt Check!”

√ Lock the doors.

Aim High In Steering

• Our eyes are designed to work for us at walking speeds.

• The average person has not adjusted visually and mentally to the higher speeds traveled in motor vehicles.

• Look ahead to where you will be at least 15 seconds from now.

• 15 second eye lead time provides advanced warning of pending danger and gives you an additional mar-gin of safety.

• Use improved eye lead time for more efficient, economical driving. Get The Big Picture

• While glancing ahead, don’t forget the sides and rear. Consistently update your information.

• Eliminate vision barriers/blind spots by establishing proper following distance. Stay far enough behind other vehicles to obtain the visibility required to make your own decisions.

• Avoid distractions in your vehicle or your thinking. Recognize and avoid drivers who seem distracted. Keep Your Eyes Moving

• Focusing on any object for too long disables your peripheral vision– your early warning system.

• Keep your eyes moving at least every two seconds.

• Check your mirrors every five to eight seconds. Leave Yourself An Out

• Your safest location in traffic is where the fewest potential conflicts exist, such as the outside lane of a 6 lane roadway as an example.

• When possible, surround your vehicle with space.

• Choose the proper lane and adjust speed accordingly, to maintain the space cushion (at least 4 seconds with car in front).

• If you lose part of the cushion, work to keep at least the front and one side open.

• Avoid tailgaters. When one is present, the accident potential is high.

Make Sure They See You

• Detect the presence of potential danger early. Send your warnings as soon as you think they will be recognized—not too soon or too late.

• Get eye contact by using the warning devices on your vehicle. Examples would be using your horn or head lights to get the other drivers attention.

• Don’t take eye contact for granted. Be sure your warnings are heeded.

• Eye contact may be insurance against the unexpected.

• Don’t drive in another driver’s “blind spot.”

“IF IT’S NOT SAFE, STOP….DO IT THE SAFE WAY.”

Page 4

Ardaman Update Injury Incidents:

• Employee was using a pair of bolt cutter to gain access to a job site. On the second cut of the metal, a piece flew up and struck him in the chin causing a small cut. When using bolt cutters, at a minimum safety glasses and gloves are to be worn and keep your hands and face away from the area you are cutting. Always use the proper size bolt cutter to ensure you are clear of the cutting area and have sufficient leverage. First Aid Only.

Vehicle/ Equipment Incidents:

• Employee was preparing to move the CME55 drill rig to the next hole. He had removed the tower bolt and went to lower the boom on the rig. He forgot to disengage the Kelly Bar Coupler which resulted in bending the Kelly bar. Reminder, all CME 55 and 75 Drill Rigs must have the Kelly Bar Coupler removed prior to lowering the drill mast to avoid bending the Kelly bar. The cost to replace the Kelly Bar was $1600.00

• Employee finished performing a drive sleeve density and removed the drive rod from the ground. He then turned around towards the back of the truck to open the tailgate and process the sample. While turning around, he struck the rear taillight with the end of the rod and cracked the taillight. When performing any field testing, designate your work area, perform a last minute safety assessment, and look all around to ensure the area is clear before moving.

• Employee was backing up Utility Task Vehicle (UTV is an all-terrain vehicle with a roll cage over the occupants) on a job site. While backing, his foot slipped off the brake and hit the gas pedal. The UTV struck the tailgate of the pickup truck behind it. When moving/backing vehicles always ensure the area behind is clear. Footwear should be clean and free of debris and the driver should be sitting upright with their seat belt on, both hands on the wheel, and ensure both feet reach the pedals comfortably.

• Employee noticed a hydraulic leak coming from the drill rig after grouting a hole. The leak came from a hydraulic hose that burst due to aging and spilled 15 gallons of fluid. The crew had their spill kit and cleaned up the spill immediately. When the exterior sheathing of hoses becomes brittle and develops cracking, the hose becomes compromised and no longer has the original mechanical and pressure load capacities. Inspect hoses daily and replace deteriorated hoses.

• Employee parked their truck on the roadway and went into their home. A few minutes later, someone smashed the driver side window and stole some spare change that was visible in the center console. When leaving vehicles, remember to lock them, park in well lit areas, and remove any items from eye sight that may be of interest to anyone looking into the vehicle.

• Employee was transporting Shelby tubes upright in a wood storage rack in the back of the truck . Another driver cut off our vehicle causing our driver to slam on the brakes. The Shelby tube rack was tied down with only one ratchet strap at the bot-tom of the tailgate that broke under the forward movement and slid into the back window and shattered it. When securing loads in vehicles you must take into account the stress that will occur to the load in all directions. In this scenario, the tubes themselves should have 2 ratchet straps securing them to the rack itself at the top and midsection. The rack should then have 1 ratchet strap at each lower end securing the section to the anchor points in the bottom of the truck bed by the tailgate and the back window area. In addition, 2 ratchet straps should have been placed through the uprights of the rack due to its height and secured at the anchor points on the bed rails. Refer to photo. Use high tensile strength ratchet straps to increase the safety factor.

Ardaman Health and Safety Recognition Awards

A safety sticker was awarded to the following individuals:

Kevin Lariviere For recognition of a potentially unsafe sample to be tested. Employee noticed that the sample supplied by the client was made of an epoxy that we do not normally test. The employee notified the proper personnel regrading the material so that proper safety precautions could be put in place to reduce any exposures in the lab (Orlando)

Shirley Brammer: For recognition of an unsafe condition due to unlabeled liquids. The employee observed unlabeled clear vials of liquid that were left by the client in the main conference room. The AAI manager in charge of the meeting was notified and the vials were collected and properly labeled. (Orlando)

Mark Zrallack: For recognition of an unsafe work condition due to swift moving water during barge drilling and an inadequate escape plan. Employee worked with the Drill Crew chief in analyzing the conditions and implementing alternative emergency escape procedures for future work activities for the site. (West Palm Beach)

Ratchet Strap Placement

Page 5

Near Miss/ Hazard Identification:

Highlighted Near Misses from 20 reports received for the Month of January.

• Employee was entering the parking lot at the office and his tire went flat. The employee moved the vehicle to a safe flat area and began changing the tire out with the spare tire. Upon inspection of the spare tire, the employee realized that the spare tire was flat and needed to be filled with air. Fortunately another person had an electric pump that he was able to use to inflate the spare tire. Always check your spare tire annually and before extended road trips out of town to ensure your spare tire is inflated properly. (Bartow)

• Employee was observing another contractor setting a box culvert in place. One of the workers had his hands placed under the box as it was being lowered and installed. Our employee notified the worker and had the operations stopped by notifying the crane spotter and operator. Never place any part of your body in the line of fire and never stand under suspended loads. When a suspended load needs to be guided, use tag lines attached to the load to ensure personnel are clear of the struck by/crush hazard. (Orlando)

Ardaman Update Continued

Safety Question Answer: B

Per the Smith System, mirrors should be checked every 5-8 seconds to help in getting the big picture around your vehicle.

Safety Audits:

Identified Hazards from 15 Safety audits conducted in the month of January.

• PPE: Employee observed a coworker using latex gloves while core drilling. The employee was stopped and provided proper work gloves for the task. Proper gloves must be worn while performing core drilling, refer to the Job Safety Analysis for what PPE is to be used.

• Ergonomics: Employee observed another employee standing on top of the core drill to secure the drill while coring the asphalt. The core drill can be secured in three methods, truck mounted, vacuum mounted, or concrete lag bolts to the ground. Never stand on a core drill as it can bind up or move suddenly and cause injury to the operator.

• PPE: Employee forgot to put on safety glasses while breaking cylinders. JSA M-4 Curing and Breaking Cylinders, Grout, and Masonry Prisms outlines the required PPE for the task. Always protect your eyes when flying debris, splash, or dust hazards are present .

Hands Free Reminder Ardaman Cell Phone Policy

Ardaman restricts the use of personal and business phones and other hand-held communication devices while driving, operating equipment or performing any activity where phone use can be a distraction. Unless devices can be operated with hands free accessories, employees may not place or accept a call while driving or operating equipment.

If a call must be placed or accepted without a hands-free device, drivers must stop and park the vehicle in a safe area. Texting while driving or operating equipment is strictly prohibited. Local regulations and/or client requirements may prohibit the use of cell phones under any circumstances or further restrict the use of cell phones while driving. In these cases, Ardaman personnel are to abide by the most restrictive guidance.

Please contact your branch vehicle administrator if hands free accessories are needed.

Safe Following Distance When Driving

According to the Smith System guidelines for safe following distances when driving, all employees are to maintain a minimum distance of 4 seconds between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. This time should be increased during poor driving conditions (weather) or when carrying or towing heavy loads.

To establish this distance while driving, pick a stationary object in front of you or on the side of the road (example: sign or street light.) Once the vehicle in front of you passes the object begin counting and stop when you have passed the same object. To ensure accurate counting, count by verbally counting out one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand, four one thousand. This will let you know how many seconds are between you and the vehicle in front of you.

February 2020 Safety Quiz Please circle the letter of the answer that fits best. Some answers can be found in the newsletter

1. Which of the following are considered main types of distractions while driving?

A. Manual B. Visual C. Cognitive D. All the above

2. When a vehicle accident occurs, do not admit liability at the scene.

A. False B. True

3. Hands free device usage while driving means distraction free.

A. True B. False

4. Texting while driving is a major cause for distractions and is illegal while driving.

A. False B. True

5. What percentage of distracted or “lost in thought” vehicles accidents resulted in fatalities.

A. 5% B. 12% C. 62% D. 25%

6. When possible you should surround your vehicle with space.

A. True B. False

7. When driving your should look ___ seconds ahead of where you are?

A. 10 seconds B. 20 seconds C. 15 seconds D. 0 seconds

8. Driver performance and driving behavior is an important aspect of how others view our company.

A. True B. False

9. After reporting a vehicle accident to the authorities, you must exchange information with the other driver, take photos, and use the IR-C report located in your vehicle to collect and organize the information.

A. True B. False

10. When traveling on roadways, a safe following distance in dry weather is?

A. 2 seconds B. 5-8 seconds C. 4 seconds D. All the above

11. What must you perform before driving a vehicle each time?

A. Do a safety walk around the vehicle B. Put on your seatbelt C. Adjust your mirrors D. All the above

All Ardaman employees must complete the quiz and turn it in by the end of each month. For those individuals who cannot attend

the monthly safety meeting please complete the quiz and submit it to your supervisor for approval. These will be sent to HR/H&S.

All others must submit the quiz at the designated location at your office. The supervisor only needs to sign the quiz if you are unable

to attend the meeting, you must explain the reason in the box below:

Print Name Here Sign Name Here Date

Supervisor Print Name Here Supervisor Sign Name Here Date