Safety Shout: Cargo Securement

Properly securing cargo—all cargo—is vital to the safety of everyone who uses the highway system. People are injured or killed in every state, every year, by carelessly loaded cargo that falls or flies out. In fact, a 2012 Government Accountability Office study indicated that in 2010 unsecured loads and road debris caused 440 deaths and 10,000 injuries, in over 51,000 incidents. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for MoDOT to receive claims for vehicle damage and even injuries caused by department employee failing to properly secure cargo. Here are some tips on how to do it the right way.

• All employees that haul cargo must be trained in the proper methods of securing cargo. If you don’t know how, don’t do it until you do.
• Under both law and policy, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle will comply with laws regarding weights, lengths and widths, and meet USDOT Federal Motor Carrier Regulations.
• It’s also squarely on the driver or operator to ensure cargo is secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing or flying/falling off. This is true even if the cargo was loaded by someone other than the driver.
• ll MoDOT vehicles and trailers vehicles carrying material that may fall from the vehicle during transport shall have a protective cover (i.e. tarp, spider web net, etc.) over the load. This includes chips and gravel being moved to or from job sites, signs, channelizers, etc. And yes, we have lost both flexible signs and channelizers, causing serious vehicle damage. If it can fall or fly out, secure it.
• Tailgates should be installed upright and tight. Cargo in the bed shall be secured. Items such as shovels, rakes, signs and posts must be secured to prevent them from falling off or flying out.
• Securement of heavy equipment requires a minimum of four points of securement. A tiedown consists of any combination of D-rings, chains, straps, binders and hooks. The idea is not to just keep it on the trailer, but to keep it from shifting laterally or front to rear. Heavy equipment moving around? Now that’s an unwanted load of shift! Ain’t nobody got time for that.
• Only DOT Grade 7/70, 3/8” or better tie-downs shall be used to secure heavy equipment.
• Only Direct Securement shall be used to secure heavy equipment. Anchor close to front and rear of equipment at 45 degree angle if possible. Cross chains if possible.
• Secure articulating equipment. Secure accessories against movement.

Good cargo securement is both a requirement and good common sense. If you would like more information on this or any safety topic, contact district Risk Management staff.

MoDOT KC Hosting Book Drive for Turn the Page KC

MoDOT Kansas City is hosting a book drive benefiting Turn the Page KC beginning August 1. 

Employees are encouraged to donate new to gently used condition books appropriate for ages 0 to 9 to the District Office lobby. The book drive will go until August 15.

The team with the most donations will win a special prize!

Celebrating One Year of On the Dot

MoDOT Kansas City's weekly newsletter, On the Dot, turns on year old this week! Over the course of the last few years, MoDOT Communications has striven to find the best and most efficient ways of communicating with the Kansas City District. 

Over the last year, On the Dot has reached nearly 500 employees each month with a successful average open rate of 74% and an average click through rate of 33%. These statistics have contributed to the 11,000 page views our district blog, The Daily DOT, received in the last two years.

Thank you for making this newsletter so successful! Communications will continue to deliver news, stories, and other department information through this weekly newsletter and we'd like to hear from you! What else would you like to see in On the Dot? Please send your thoughts to kccr@modot.mo.gov.

MoDOT Maintenance Workers Receive Award for Saving Private Citizen's Life

They went above and beyond the call of duty and for that they are being recognized.

On Friday, July 21, District Engineer Brian Kidwell and Assistant District Engineer Chris Redline presented Safety Awards to a special group of folks worthy of the honor.

Quincy Livingston, Tony Martin, Vanessa Clark, Dennis Evans and Floyd Barrett were honored for their quick actions.

Back on Monday, April 24 the crew was out working on a culvert on Route M in Richmond.   

The crew noticed that a private citizen nearby had flipped his riding mower, which had also pinned him against a tree.

With the mower teetering on the edge of a drop off, the MoDOT crew was able to rescue the man. 

Things could have turned out a lot worse, but because of the quick action of the crew the man only suffered minor injuries.

Congrats to them all.   

Safety Shout: Famous Last Words

I’m safe. What I use is safe. Where I am is safe. My customers are safe. So we go home safe. As MoDOT employees, we’re familiar with these phrases. But what do they really mean? Coupled with the right attitude, they mean going home from work in one piece. Without the right attitude, they’re just words. What’s your safety attitude? If you find yourself thinking or saying some of the things below, be careful these don’t become your “Famous Last Words.”

• “We’ve always done it that way.” If it isn’t the safe way, it isn’t the right way. It doesn’t matter if you’ve done it that way for one minute or thirty years. If we’re not careful, procedures can gradually slip into sloppiness and become dangerous, a little at a time. This is called normalization of deviance. It’s also called dangerous. Take the initiative to tweak what needs to be tweaked and to do it right. Old habits die hard, but better they die than you.
  
• “The policy doesn’t say I can’t do it that way.” If you’re waiting for a policy to dictate every detail to you, you’re headed for pain. Policies are intended to be guidelines to help you make good decisions. There’s no substitute for using your own judgment and common sense. Take responsibility for your own safety and remind others to do the same. If you’re laid up in the hospital or six feet under, a policy violation will be the least of your concerns.
  
• “Nobody trained me.” Whose fault is that? Did you request training? If you’re doing something you don’t feel qualified to do safely, stop. Discuss it with your supervisor or manager, and get the training you need. Don’t wait until you or someone else is injured.
  
• “I’ve already got too much to do.” Yes, these are stressful times for many MoDOT employees. Busy workloads and lots of change. But, it’s times like these that require us to concentrate even more on safety, not less. Remember, the hazards still exist whether you’re distracted or not. Focus when and where it matters the most.
  
• “Why do I have to do this/wear this/use this? Who comes up with this stuff?” Rest assured no one sits awake at night dreaming up ways to make you miserable. Every safety rule has a reason. Unfortunately, that reason is usually that somebody learned the hard way, that’s why the rules exist. Be smart enough to learn from mistakes, or you will repeat them. Don’t complain about safety rules or improvements; just be glad you weren’t the reason for them. It’s been said that safety rules are not written in ink, they’re written in blood. If you want to donate, save it for the Red Cross.
  
• “You don’t work out here every day. You don’t know what you’re asking for.” This one may be the most dangerous of all. Variants include, “This is how we do it in the field,” and, “I was doing this when you were in diapers.” No doubt you are the expert…so act like it. Professionals understand that safety best practices evolve and grow to counter new hazards. If you want to be respected as a true professional, embrace safety improvements.

All the PPE in the world won’t help if you turn off your most important piece of equipment--your brain. Safety is all about situational awareness, focus, and most of all, attitude. If you would like more information on safety awareness, contact district Risk Management staff.

Danny Woods Retires from MoDOT

A retirement party was held on Wednesday, July 19, for Danny Woods, MoDOT Kansas City's Roadside Manager in Sedalia, MO. 

The celebration was held at the Sedalia Highway Gardens where numerous friends, family members, and co-workers of Danny's joined in the fun. 

District Maintenance Engineer, Lynelle Luther, presented Danny with his retirement plaque as well.

Danny joined the department in 1991 at the St. Louis District. 

Over the last 26 and a half years, Danny has worked in roadside in multiple districts. 
In 1994, Danny made the move to the northeast district (Hannibal) and started a roadside section there. 

In 2000 he moved again; this time to Jefferson City at the Central Office. He worked there until 2011 when he moved on to the Kansas City district office. 


Congrats to Danny! We wish you well. 

New Program Will Help Employees Enhance Professional Skills

Employees in professional entry through senior level positions (11-16) have a new resource available to help them enhance their job skills. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) provides high quality curriculum that focuses on building organizational awareness, as well as professional, business and interpersonal skills. 

The curriculum was compiled by the Human Resource Division's Employee Development Team with input from many employees across the department and in every division and district in the professional work areas. 

The course catalogs were designed specifically for each job level with the help of each division. It takes the vast array of MoDOT U courses and organizes them specifically for each career level and specialty. The courses will help employees grow in overall business and interpersonal skills. 

Each level of PDI should take approximately half an hour a week and be completed totally in two years, which coincides with a typical career ladder progression.

The program is voluntary. Interested employees can enroll July 17-August 31 through SharePoint with their supervisor's approval and the assistance of PDI Coordinator Paula Clay in HRED.

For more information about the program and the enrollment forms, visit the PDI Sharepoint page. 

Todd George Parkway Lane Closure Switch Set for July 20

Todd George Parkway Lane is set to have a lane closure switch from Colbern Road to Woods Chapel Road on Thursday, July 20. The northbound lane of Todd George Parkways will re-open while the southbound lane will close for approximately six weeks. The detour route is Woods Chapel Road to I-470 south to Colbern Road. The section of Strorther Road from the I-470 exit ramp east to Todd George Parkway will also be temporarily closed. All work is weather permitting. 

Emergency Response Team Hosts Quarterly Luncheon

MoDOT's Emergency Response team held their quarterly awards luncheon on Thursday, July 13, at the Kansas City District's Emergency Response building. 

Ed Jackson received first place for the most total assists for the quarter. Virak Um also received an award for tying with Jackson in first place for total number of push-pulls for the quarter. The Emergency Response team as a whole had over 6,000 assists in just the second quarter alone.

The luncheon was attended by the entire the Emergency Response team as well as some members of Human Resources and Communications. The afternoon was filled with remarks of appreciation towards the team by management staff along with a lunch catered by Gates BBQ.

Four Teams Short-Listed for I-435 South Loop Link Project

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has evaluated, rated and short-listed four teams from whom it received Statements of Qualification (SOQ) to compete for the contract to design and build improvements to Interstate 435 from the Kansas state line to Interstate 49.



“We are very pleased that the I-435 South Loop Link Project will proceed with four qualified teams,” said Project Director Perry Allen. “We look forward to working through the procurement process in the coming months to select the best team to deliver this important regional improvement.”

The short-listed teams are as follows:

Clarkson Construction/Burns & McDonnell joint venture

Emery Sapp & Sons/Parsons Transportation Group

Radmacher Bros. Excavating/Wilson & Co.

Idker/Millstone Weber joint venture

Utilizing the Design-Build project delivery method that combines both the design and construction phases into one contract, the team selected will be expected to bring innovation to the project in order to save time and resources.

The contractor team will be selected using a “Best-Value” process to determine the team who can best meet or beat the following goals:

1. Deliver the project utilizing a diverse workforce within the program budget of $74.8 million by May 1, 2020.
2. Minimize the impacts to the traveling public during construction.
3. Maximize safety and peak-period travel speeds on the I-435 corridor.
4. Minimize future maintenance needs.

MoDOT will issue a Request for Proposal in early August, and the teams’ proposals will be due Oct. 27. The contractor should be selected by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission on Dec. 1. Construction is scheduled to begin next summer and will last through the spring of 2020.

The I-435 corridor was originally constructed in 1966 as a six-lane freeway, and an additional lane was added in phases from 1983 to 1994. Improvements have been made over the past 20 years by both MoDOT and the Kansas Department of Transportation, but overall this corridor has been left virtually unchanged. This project will address congestion as well as the aging bridges.

The I-435 South Loop Link project will be the fourth design-build project in MoDOT’s Kansas City District following I-29/35 kcICON (Christopher S. Bond Bridge), Manchester I-70 Bridge and the U.S. Route 69 Fairfax Bridge.

Learn more about the project here: www.modot.org/kansascity/major_projects/I435South/For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter, or share posts and comments on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoDOT.KansasCity.  MoDOT Kansas City maintains more than 7,000 miles of state roadway in nine counties. Sign up online for workzone updates or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

Retirement Celebration for Danny Woods

A retirement celebration for Danny Woods will be held on Wednesday, July 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Highway Gardens in Sedalia, MO. Danny is the Kansas City District's Roadside Manager. Please join us for refreshments, memories, and friends!

Safety Shout: Tick Talk

Ticks are the leading carriers of diseases transmissible to humans in the United States, and are second only to mosquitoes worldwide. It’s not the tick bite, but the secretions and organisms in the tick's saliva transmitted through the bite that cause disease. Isn’t that just peachy? There are more than 800 species of ticks throughout the world.


The list of maladies they carry is impressive, including Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, Tuleramia, Anaplasmosis, Powassan Encephalitis, and Babesiosis. Babesiosis? What is this, Wayne’s World? Anyway, if bites are avoided or properly treated, the risks of disease are low. Here are some things to remember about what makes these little pests tick:

• Self-care begins with a thorough self-examination. Check every area of your head and body as soon as possible after being outdoors where ticks may be present. You can often remove the ticks as they crawl on your skin or clothing, before they bite and adhere to you. It’s important to note that ticks typically require 24-48 hours of feeding before they can successfully transmit infections like Lyme disease, so prompt removal is crucial.
• Use repellant containing DEET, and apply it according to directions on the container. Some repellants can be applied only to clothing, while others may be applied directly to skin. 
• The old ways of removing ticks have been found to do more harm than good. Never apply heat such as a match head or any substance such as oil or cream to get a tick to back out. This will traumatize the tick and cause it to secrete far more of its disease-carrying nastiness into your bloodstream. Some folks recommend rubbing petroleum jelly, gasoline, nail polish, or alcohol over the tick. Problem is, say the researchers, none of these methods actually work—ticks can survive long periods without air. So don't try these.
• Use a small pair of curved forceps or tweezers to remove a tick.
• Wear gloves so you don't spread pathogens from the tick to your hands. Grasp the tick firmly with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible, and apply gentle pulling force until the tick comes free. Don’t twist or rock; pull straight up.
• Once removed, flush the tick down the toilet or sink rather than crushing it, to avoid releasing more pathogens that transmit disease.
• Thoroughly clean the bite with soap and water or a mild disinfectant. Watch the area for several days for a reaction such as a rash, or signs of infection. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop these. Most tick-related diseases are best treated early, before the onset of serious symptoms. The clock is ticking, so don’t wait until you become sick.

Be observant and careful after working or playing in the outdoors, so you don’t get ticked off. If you would like more information on this or any safety topic, contact district Risk Management.

Lee’s Summit Implementing Roadside Beautification Project

The city of Lee’s Summit will soon be home to more than 40 acres of roadside native prairie grasses and wildflowers thanks to a cooperative effort between several state and local organizations. This project is made possible through a $20,000 grant from the Burroughs Audubon Society to create 40 acres of pollinator habitat. Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation, Lee’s Summit Beautification Commission, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Habitat Architects and the Missouri Department of Transportation are all partnering together on the project.

The upcoming project involves six locations including:

•        Highway 291 North (Langsford to Colbern Road),
•        the Highway 350 and Interstate 470 Interchange,
•        the Todd George Road on and off ramps,
•        the Blue Parkway Highway and I-470 Interchange on and off ramps, and
•        Colbern Road and Independence Ave.

This project will allow for many benefits for local wildlife, the traveling public as well as taypayers. Besides creating a habitat for pollinators and wildlife, it reduces pollution, conserves natural resources, maximizes ecological functions, increases attractiveness, and saves time costs for maintenance.

“Beginning later this week, travelers will see MoDOT mowing and the City of Lee’s Summit chemically treating all areas to eliminate weeds,” said MoDOT Roadside Manager Danny Woods. “Many areas will yellow as weeds die, but it’s just part of the process to prepare the area for seeding.”

In September, MoDOT will mow and treat again if needed. In December, crews will seed the grasses and wildflowers. By next summer, crews should be able to just spot spray and mow as needed to control any errant weeds. Longer-term, MoDOT will only need to spot spray and mow annually and perhaps seed occasionally.

“Ultimately this will make Lee’s Summit a more beautiful area for residents and travelers to enjoy,” Woods said.

Safety Shout: Safety Quiz!

It’s time for another one of those aggravating quizzes! What’s your MoDOT safety IQ? See how many of these questions you can get right without peeking. Correct answers are below.

1. If used as part of a short term flagging operation, temporary rumble strips must be: 
(A) Three strips and black in color 
(B) Five strips and orange in color 
(C) Three strips and orange in color 
(D) Studded with spikes

2. A good way to remember the proper rate of chest compressions during CPR is: 
(A) At least 100 per minute to the beat of “Flight of the Cicadas” 
(B) At least 100 per minute to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” 
(C) At least 75 per minute to the tune of “Mandy” 
(D) At least 75 per minute to “The Thong Song”

3. The following is/are true of 2-stroke (or 2-cycle) motors: 
(A) They generally produce less power than 4-strokes 
(B) They normally require either oil/gas premix or oil injection 
(C) The spark plug fires twice as often as with a 4-stroke 
(D) All of the above 
(E) B and C only

4. Employees should wear leather work gloves when: 
(A) Engaged in field operations, equipment fabrication and warehousing 
(B) In the field 
(C) Working with hot asphalt 
(D) Picking their noses

5. Excavation below the base of a retaining wall requires: 
(A) A full supervisor’s approval 
(B) A superintendent’s approval 
(C) A registered professional engineer’s approval 
(D) Liquid Courage

6. Arrow boards are allowed: 
(A) No lights out; all must be operational 
(B) One light out in the stem only 
(C) One light out in the arrowhead only 
(D) B and C only

7. The following is true of US Highways and Interstates: 
(A) The US highway system pre-dates the Interstate system 
(B) US highway numbers increase from north to south, and from east to west. Interstate highway numbers increase from south to north, and from west to east. 
(C) The Interstate system was originally called the “Eisenhower Interstate System” and was intended for mobile nuclear missile launchers 
(D) All of the above. 

8. Which of these rules apply to inmates on Incarcerated Crews? 
(A) Inmates are not allowed to converse with the general public or any MoDOT staff not directly involved with the work detail. 
(B) Inmate crews from different institutions shall not work on the same detail 
(C) Inmates are not allowed to go into public places, including drive-through windows; and they are not allowed to purchase anything. 
(D) All of the above

9. Which of the following is TRUE? 
(A) Acetylene cylinders may be stored with Oxygen if they are both well chained 
(B) Oxygen cylinders must be a minimum of 20 ft. from the storage area for acetylene cylinders. 
(C) If you inhale raw acetylene it will make you sound like Donald Duck. 
(D) Compressed gas cylinders must be well secured and lying flat when transported.




Safety Quiz Correct Responses

1. (C) Three strips and orange in color

2. (B) At least 100 per minute to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive.” “Flight of the Cicadas” is made up, anything by
Barry Manilow will probably kill the victim you’re trying to save, and how can you think about thongs at a time
like this?

3. (E) B and C only. 2-stroke engines can actually produce nearly twice the power of a similarly sized 4-stroke, because the piston is moving twice as fast. That’s why they require additional top cylinder lubrication (oil in the gasoline) and that’s also why using straight gas only in a 2-stroke like a chainsaw motor will ruin it.

4. (A) Engaged in field operations, equipment fabrication and warehousing. Working with hot asphalt requires special heat resistant gloves. And stop picking your nose.

5. (C) A registered professional engineer’s approval

6. (B) One light out in the stem only. All lights must be working in the arrowhead or the board must be removed from service until repaired.

7. (D) All of the above. This has nothing to do with safety really, but it’s cool useless trivia.

8. (D) All of the above

9. (B) Oxygen cylinders must be a minimum of 20 ft. from the storage area for acetylene cylinders. Never store any fuel (like acetylene or Propane) with any oxidizer (like oxygen). Compressed gas cylinders should never be laid flat whether in transport or not; always stand them up and secure them upright. By the way, if you huff raw acetylene, it will kill you.

What’s your MoDOT Safety IQ?
All 10 right without looking: Promote that guy/gal!

8-9 right without looking: You’d make a great Chiefs quarterback…good most of the time but then you suck in the playoffs.

6-7 right without looking: Been doing this long?

Less than 6 right without looking: Please study. Also keep 911 on your speed-dial list, please.