Safety Management in the Maintenance Works on Motorways Through DELPHI Methodology and Pareto’s Concepts

Abstract

Several researchers have developed a thematic approach on the need to improve safety management in the maintenance works on motorways in operation to achieve better goals on safety and in the use of resources. The use of instruments linked to efficiency and effectiveness can be one possible solution to this challenge. The main objective of the present investigation is to prove that it is possible to identify the main risky activities and safety measures contained in the A area curve and linked to the Pareto´s concepts. The methodology used was a DELPHI panel formed by safety experts from different areas on motorways. The statistic treatment was made through the computer programme IBM SPSS Statistics 24. The results show that it is possible to identify the 38 most dangerous risks linked to the most dangerous activities. It was also possible to identify the 44 most efficient and effective safety measures to prevent/avoid those risks. The main risks are related to running over, crushing and falling from heights. These risks can be mitigated or eliminated by the following safety measures: assignment and work follow-up, traffic diversion by road traffic authorities, protection equipment and signaling vehicles at the workplace, adjacent lane narrowing and the placement of guards and nets on top of support walls. The research conclusions show that the identified risk activities and the associated safety measures represent the 20% most dangerous risks and the 20% most efficient and effective safety measures with obvious relevance to the decisions about maintenance works on motorways.