Final Scope
State DOTs value the safety of their employees as they face a wide range of unique hazards in various operations depending on job function and work location. They need to proactively provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to their employees to address the employee safety when hazards cannot be eliminated. PPE policies, programs, and practices at state DOTs vary widely in meeting their specific PPE needs and must encompass various job responsibilities, for example in laboratory settings, shop facilities, and field operations. The selection, use, training, care, replacement, disposal, and monitoring are important factors in the effective adoption of PPE.
The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT policies, programs and practices for the identification, training, assignment, distribution, care, maintenance, and replacement of PPE, including piloting, evaluating, and implementation.
Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to):
- Written policies and procedures regarding PPE;
- Types of most common PPE used and when they are used in construction and maintenance, use a matrix, such as type of head protection, high visibility apparel, including the class, colors and type of nightwork PPE, environmental hazard PPEs supplied and used (such as sunscreen, bug spray);
- Piloting, evaluating and implementing PPE, including the adoption of newly developed PPE (e.g., Type II helmets, high-visibility clothing, wearable technology, personal illumination);
- Tracking and management of PPE, including new employee kit and replacements cycles;
- Practices for procurement, reimbursement of PPE;
- PPE training programs;
- Methods DOTs use to communicate to employees on the use of specific PPE and when to use it;
- Employee input and feedback on the use of PPE;
- PPE care and maintenance; and,
- Tools to measure PPE performance.
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., Jr., Al-Shabbani, Z., and Ammar, A. (2022). NCHRP Synthesis 591: Use of Safety Management Systems in Managing Highway Maintenance Worker Safety. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26672
- 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. “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace.” Safety and Health Information Bulletin SHIB. 11-22-2023.
- 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 26th, 2024.
TRB Staff
(Consultant) Sandra Q. Larson
Phone: 515-971-6329
Email: slarson@nas.edu
Meeting Dates
First Panel Meeting: February 6, 2025
Teleconference with Consultant: March 26, 2025
Second Panel Meeting: December 3, 2025
Topic Panel
Evan Adrian, Missouri Department of Transportation
Mr. Vincent Baran, New York State Department of Transportation
Cookie Leffler, Mississippi Department of Transportation
Lance McDonald, Tennessee Department of Transportation
Samuel Salazar, Texas Department of Transportation
Jennifer Valeros Simmers, California Department of Transportation
Mr. Brian Worrel, Iowa Department of Transportation
Mr. Matthew Corrigan, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
