Driving Off-Road/Field Work

Planning (What am I about to do?) Determine if it will be necessary to drive off of paved roads. Perform research and reconnaissance to learn as much as possible about road conditions.  Review maps and aerial photos  Interview individuals who have recently navigated the roads  Check recent weather and weather forecasts for the area

Planning Address driving hazards in the Safe Work Plan and Job Safety Analysis Include available maps of the area Identify a “plan B” to implement if your vehicle becomes disabled or stuck Use the buddy system

Recent Incidents and Near-Miss Events (What could go wrong?) Damage to multiple URS and rental vehicles on multiple projects  Most common is undercarriage damage and scratches Vehicles disabled at remote locations Stuck vehicles requiring extraction

Select a Vehicle

Select a Vehicle (What can be done to make it safer?) Obtain a URS fleet (leased) vehicle or rental vehicle that meets your needs for the project Treat the vehicle as if it was your own Consider equipment and personnel needed as well as road conditions Adjust the seat and mirrors on the vehicle and become familiar with the controls prior to operating the vehicle

Insurance Your vehicle – your insurance LDW coverage for our Avis and Enterprise vehicles is not valid off paved roads URS is self-insured, meaning that repair costs come straight off the bottom line Look for and document damage before you take a rental or fleet vehicle

Driving Tips Pack appropriately Clearance How to deal with ruts How to deal with slippery spots How to deal with hills How to deal with construction/mine sites Other tips

Pack Appropriately Plan on getting stuck Secure items so they don’t bounce around Items to bring should include:  Extra water  Extra food  Tools, spare tire  Means of communication  Blankets  Tow/extraction strap or winch  First aid kit fire extinguisher  Gloves and safety glasses

Clearance Know your clearance to avoid becoming high-centered and avoid under carrage damage Ruts, rocks, hills and dirt piles can reduce available clearance Navigate to maintain adequate clearance and a buffer Cross ditches at an angle so that only one tire enters at a time Also watch the sides of your vehicle in narrow spots – use of a spotter can help

How to deal with ruts Try to straddle ruts. If muddy conditions force you to drive in the ruts, know where your front wheels are pointed at all times. Your vehicle will follow the ruts, even with the wheels turned. If you encounter a dry spot with the wheels turned, then the front wheels can regain traction and suddenly throw the vehicle out of the ruts.

How to deal with slippery spots Use a steady momentum to carry you through slippery spots – don’t spin tires If you lose traction and the vehicle is barely moving, turn the steering wheel quickly from side to side in short strokes (only 1/8th turn) to allow the front tire walls to find extra grip. Remember that hard snow or ice crossed in the early morning can be impassable when it melts in the afternoon.

How to deal with hills Drive straight up and down hills to minimize the risk of rolling Remember to use 1st gear/low-range on down hills... engine braking Remember that any hill you go down you may also have to come back up Note that the other side of the hill is likely not visible

How to deal with construction/mine sites Familiarize your self with site traffic plans and parking areas Stay clear of heavy equipment and understand blind spots Stay clear of work areas Survey the area for tire hazards such a re-bar and nails Note that some mine haul roads have left-hand drive

Other tips Discuss hazards in a tailgate safety meeting Scout tricky or obscured terrain on foot Drive "as slow as possible, but as fast as necessary." Use the gears to efficiently manage engine power, braking and torque Don’t wrap your thumbs around the wheel because it may move suddenly Wear your seatbelt

Other tips Don’t enter water more than 12 inches deep and beware of mud Note potential turn-around points on narrow roads Dust buildup on windows can decrease visibility – especially when the sun angle is low Use all your normal safe driving techniques Not all fleet 4X4 vehicles are shift on the fly – shifting on the fly can cause damage

Hazard Recognition

Fixing a flat Use 4sight to evaluate hazards Navigate to a relatively flat area out of traffic Set the parking brake, put the vehicle in park and use wheel chocks Loosen lug nuts Use the jack provided to lift the vehicle Remove lug nuts and remove the flat tire Install the spare

Getting un-stuck The trick is not to get stuck in the first place Call for assistance or a tow if the situation is difficult Look at your situation, then clear any/all moveable obstacles from in front of each tire (vehicle should be in park with brake engaged) Adjust air pressure as necessary, then begin a rocking motion (forward-reverse, etc.). In most cases it will do the trick

Getting un-stuck A winch, toe straps, or even jacking up the car and placing rocks under the tires may be able to get you out, but each also creates serious safety concerns A great deal of restraint and caution is required here – Practice 4sight

What if there is an incident? (What have I done to communicate with others?) Secure emergency help if needed Report any vehicle incidents to the rental company Any good lessons learned can be added to this training and communicated.

Questions and Comments We’re back on solid ground