Final Scope 

Despite advancements in occupational (employee) safety, serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) remain a persistent challenge for state DOTs. There is a broad range of SIFs safety strategies implemented by state DOTs. Gaining a better understanding of these strategies provides state DOTs with a resource for their employee safety programs and overall safety culture. Knowledge sharing of implemented strategies is an effective approach to support the goal of zero SIFs.

The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices regarding efforts to reduce SIFs for state DOT employees.

Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to):

• Data analysis of contributing factors from SIFs;
• Methods used to collect SIFs information;
• Written practices specifically focused on SIFs reduction;
• Practices for assessing, managing, and mitigating fatigue and distraction of employees;
• Employee engagement and awareness of training programs to reduce SIFs;
• What is the definition in individual states of SIFs, (matrix);
• Do states identify high-risk work activities/tasks; and
• Technologies used to reduce SIFs, equipment and human factors.

Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

Information Sources (Partial)

• Dadi, G.B., Sturgill, R.E., and Ramadan, B. (2023). NCHRP Synthesis 608: Practices to Motivate Safe Behaviors with Highway Construction and Maintenance Crews. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/27176
• OSHA (2022). “Severe Injury Report: A Seven Year Lookback.” OSHA, US Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/severe-injury-report-2015to2021.pdf. Accessed January 26^th, 2024.
• ISN (2023). “Serious Injury and Fatality Insights: A Cross-Industry Analysis of Data and Best Practices.” ISN Software Corporation. https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/publications/1868. Accessed January 26^th, 2024.
• Spencer, C. (2023). “Issues & Policy: The Power to Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities.” Edison Electric Institute, https://www.eei.org/en/issues-and-policy/power-to-prevent-sif, Accessed January 26^th, 2024.

TRB Staff (consultant)
Sandra Q. Larson
Phone: 515-971-6329
Email: slarson@nas.edu

Meeting Dates
First Panel Meeting: February 27, 2025
Teleconference with Consultant: April 3, 2025, from 2-3 pm eastern
Second Panel Meeting: November 18, 2025, Washington D.C.

Topic Panel

Robin M Barfield, North Carolina Department of Transportation

Timothy M Carey, Iowa Department of Transportation

Tammi A Clark, Kansas Department of Transportation

Michael Paulmarie, California Department of Transportation

Melissa I Rodriguez, New York State Department of Transportation

Wilfred Hernandez, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)