Identifying Road Hazards

PLH Group delivers energy-focused construction services throughout the United States and into Canada.

Its teams respond to storm recovery efforts and work in various terrains – from cities to rural areas.

PLH Group and its pipeline and power line entities train drivers on how to identify and avoid hazards. Remember, it’s not just our own lives we put at risk when we miss these hazards, it is the lives of others, also.

Here are some tips to help you spot hazards while behind the wheel:

• Know your surroundings. Are deer likely to jump in front of you? Are you approaching a construction area? Are you driving through a school zone? Know your surroundings to know what may be ahead.
• Slow down. Slowing down not only increases the time you have to respond to a hazard, but prevents vehicle harm also. What if you didn’t see the pothole ahead? Hitting it with speed may result in a flat tire or broken axel. By slowing down, you can prevent or reduce the impact hazards like potholes have on your vehicle.
• Keep your eyes on the road. Though we all like to say we drive distraction-free, we may not realize when we are actually distracted. This goes beyond cell phone use. Even adjusting the internal temperature or radio causes distractions. Pull off the road if your eyes aren’t on the road.
• Know your risks. Is there a vehicle in front of you with an unsecured load? Are you hauling a trailer? Are road conditions hazardous? Know potential risks that could alter your driving conditions.
• Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses help us keep our eyes on the road during those morning and late afternoon commutes when the sun is shining directly on our faces. But even when the sun is behind us, sunglasses will reduce glare from side or rearview mirrors.
• Avoid road rage. Don’t fall victim to road rage. Follow traffic laws, and do not tailgate. If a driver gets aggressive, avoid eye contact and give them space.
• Keep distance. Giving other drivers distance not only prevents road rage, but also gives you more time to respond if a hazard suddenly comes into view.

“Our work doesn’t start and stop on the project site,” said PLH Group Vice President of Safety, Health, and Environmental Elsie Bentley. “Our safety focus includes our driving performance. From securing our loads to driving distraction free, we train our drivers on how to keep everyone on the roadways safe.”

With over 3,000 employees throughout its business units working in the office and on the job site, PLH Group wants all employees to drive safely, keeping each other and communities served safe. This effort begins with identifying potential hazards and responsibly mitigating them.

PLH Group is a leading, full-service power line construction, pipeline construction, and specialty contractor that serves the electric power line, pipeline, oil field electrical, and industrial markets. Its top-quality business units deliver comprehensive services to customers throughout the United States and into Canada.