IDAHO NATIONAL TRANSPORTER Idaho
Transportation
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Board to consider report on ITD's ITD’s use of magnesium chloride to improve wintertime driving conditions will be reviewed for members of the Idaho Transportation Board at its regular monthly board meeting Wednesday. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Headquarters auditorium. ITD began using the anti-icing treatment in 1988 and has refined the process the past two decades. Guidelines for the use of magnesium chloride are outlined in the ITD Maintenance Manual; excerpts include:
ITD staff polled other states about their use of similar highway treatments and found the application rates ranged from 15 to 50 gallons per lane mile. Few states have written policies for magnesium chloride applications, and some states have temperature and humidity restrictions. Because slippery conditions can be created by applying magnesium chloride to freeway ramps and intersections, the Maintenance Steering Committee will consider revising the Maintenance Manual to restrict application to those locations. Other board discussion Annual Report on Audits Some of the activities completed in 2007 include:
Focus areas for 2008 include improving the office’s efficiency by using Audit Documentation Software, expanding the use of risk assessments in audit planning and assurance that ITD is meeting its financial management responsibilities in a cost-effective manner. Employee Safety and Risk Management Program Preventing employee injuries and equipment damage was addressed by educating employees in safe work practices, ensuring the provision of adequate protective gear and communicating regulatory compliance information. Hazardous work sites and practices were identified through a scheduled inspection program, and hazard controls were developed. The public filed 224 tort claims in FY07, which were investigated by staff. The number is considerably lower than the average of 400 per fiscal year. The office reports that 110 industrial injuries or illnesses were claimed, resulting in 542 lost workdays. The five-year average of incidents is 109. A total of 131 vehicle collisions were reported in FY07; the five-year average is 133. Future plans include implementing the revised standardized equipment lighting statewide and assessing its impact; implementing procedures to test innovative ideas in controlled settings; and promoting security and emergency preparedness statewide, both at work and home. Published 3-14-8 |