Construction Surveyors
Survey and layout crews move all over active jobsites and roadways, often focused on their instrument instead of the traffic and equipment around them.
- Construction
Top hazards
- Struck by vehicles and equipment while focused on instruments
- Contact between metal survey rods or GPS poles and overhead power lines
- Rough terrain, slopes, trenches and holes
- Heat, cold, insects, snakes and poisonous plants. See Biological Hazards.
- Working alone in remote areas
Key practices
- Wear hi-vis and set up traffic control when working on or near roads.
- Coordinate with equipment operators before entering their work area; make eye contact.
- Look up before extending rods and poles; use non-conductive rods near lines.
- Don’t enter unprotected trenches to take shots.
- Carry water, a first aid kit and a communication plan for remote work.
Working near traffic
- Plan the shot so you’re in the road as briefly as possible, and set up cones, signs and a lookout or traffic control.
- Park the survey truck with its lights and arrow board to shield the crew where possible.
- Face traffic when you can, and keep an escape route.
- Wear Class 2 or 3 hi-vis. See Work Zones.
On active jobsites
Layout crews often work in the middle of earthmoving operations, in operators’ blind spots, while looking through an instrument. Let the foreman and operators know where you’ll be, stay visible, and step out of the path before you set up. See Struck-By Hazards.
Field hazards
- Brush cutting with machetes and chainsaws: wear leg and eye protection and keep a safe distance from coworkers.
- Ticks, chiggers, snakes and poison ivy in rights-of-way and woods.
- Steep slopes and creek banks: wear boots with good tread.
- Rebar stakes and hubs can be tripping and impalement hazards; flag them.
Field checklist
- Hi-vis on and traffic control set up for road work
- Overhead lines located before raising rods or GPS poles
- Operators told where the crew will be
- Water, sunscreen and insect repellent
- First aid kit and communication plan
- Check-in time set for remote work
Standards & references
- See also: Work Zones and Overhead Power Lines
Last updated: