12/23/2008
MEDIA ADVISORY: Safety Requirements for Reporters Accessing ITD Equipment/Work Zones
MEDIA ADVISORY (Not for dissemination)
BOISE - Reporters requesting ride-alongs on ITD snowplows first must submit a Worker Compensation Certificate of Coverage to the department. ITD will attempt to accommodate ride-along requests as time and equipment permit, while conforming to requirements established by the department's Safety & Risk Management office. Media representatives need to submit the certificate only once. Certificates are kept on file and can be applied to future requests involving ITD equipment.
In addition, a new federal regulation requires the use of high-visibility safety clothing by anyone working in the rights-of-way on federal and state highways that receive federal aid. The rule, which went into effect Nov. 24, applies to people on foot whose duties place them within the right-of-way of a Federal-Aid highway, such as highway construction and maintenance forces, survey crews, utility crews, incident responders, news media and law enforcement personnel when directing traffic, investigating crashes and handling lane closures, obstructed roadways and disasters within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway.
The Code of Federal Regulations, Part 634, Title 23, requires the use of high-visibility apparel and headwear, Class 2 or 3. Clothing must meet American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association 107-2004 specifications. The rule has been implemented to reduce the likelihood of fatalities or injuries to workers on foot in federal highway work zones.