Inspection Vehicle Policy Manual V2.0 MnDOT

XVII. Snooper Driver Timesheet Coding 

WAYZATA CITY OF TA99511 CITY
WELLS CITY OF TA99735 CITY
WEST ST PAUL CITY OF TA98473 CITY
WHEATON CITY OF TA9A116 CITY
WHITE BEAR LAKE CITY OF TA99474 CITY
WHITE EARTH DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION TA98655 CITY
WILKIN COUNTY TA98884 COUNTY
WILLMAR CITY OF TA98475 CITY
WINDOM, CITY OF TA99775 CITY
WINONA CITY OF TA98476 CITY
WINONA COUNTY TA98885 COUNTY
WOODBURY CITY OF TA98494 CITY
WORTHINGTON CITY OF TA98477 CITY
WRIGHT COUNTY TA98886 COUNTY
WYOMING CITY OF TA99536 CITY
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY TA98887 COUNTY

 

 

50 
 

XVIII. Snooper Contacts 

TITLE  NAME  WORK #  CELL # 
D1 Supervisor  Dow Rychlak 218‐384‐3282 218‐428‐4382 
D1 Operator/208350  Robert Dahl 218‐384‐3282 651‐331‐8013 (S) 
D1 Operator – Backup  Forest Anderson 218‐384‐3282
D1 Operator – Backup  John Benson 218‐384‐3282 218‐348‐6080 
D1 Mech.  Supervisor  Kerry Monson 218‐725‐2730 218‐686‐1889 
D1 Mech.  Don Anderson 218‐725‐2732 612‐236‐7981 (S) 
D1 Mech.  Pete Brown 218‐384‐4204 218‐368‐5025 
D1 Mech.  Adam Johnson 218‐384‐4204 320‐293‐8533 
651‐592‐6251 (S) 
D2 Supervisor  Thomas Puppe 218‐683‐8019
D2 Operator/211000  Scott Walker 218‐775‐6511 507‐456‐5312 
D2 Operator – Backup  Victor Boucher 218‐775‐6511 612‐236‐8942 (S) 

D2 Mech. Supervisor  Anthony Bowe 218‐755‐6567 651‐775‐0394 
612‐236‐8168 (S) 
D2 Snooper Mechanic  Ronald Wolff 218‐755‐6568 651‐775‐0393 
612‐236‐8035 (S) 
D3 Supervisor  Mark Soenneker 320‐223‐6558 651‐775‐0392 
D3 Operator/211260  Mark Miller 320‐980‐2532
D3 Back‐up Operator  Travis Rothstein 320‐223‐6558
D3 Mech. Supervisor  Kelvin Smith 320‐223‐6560
D3 Snooper Mechanic  Ken Richart 320‐223‐6561
D3 Snooper Mechanic  Tom Schmidt 320‐223‐6561
D3 Snooper Mechanic  Tom Lashinski 320‐223‐6560

D6 Supervisor  Duane Piepho 507‐446‐5515
D6 Operator/207208  Robert Grant 507‐446‐5516
D6 Back‐up Operator 
D6 Mech. Supervisor  Jerry Gunderson 507‐286‐7616
D6 Snooper Mechanic  Donald Oswald 507‐286‐7616
D6 Snooper Mechanic  Tom Fort 507‐286‐7616

Metro 30 Supervisor  Rob Lehrke 952‐476‐3261
Metro 30 Operator/200600  Richard Butler 952‐476‐3261
Metro 75 Supervisor  Mike Anderson 651‐366‐5940
Metro 75 Operator/200615  Darl Schossow 651‐366‐5940
Metro Supervisor – Backup  Dale Dombroske 651‐234‐7939
Metro Operator – Backup  Harvey Richter 651‐464‐0901
Metro Operator – Backup  Roger Huerta 651‐366‐5993
Metro Operator – Backup  Rich Ellinghuysen 651‐366‐5940
Metro Operator – Backup  Todd Carlson 651‐772‐7537
Metro Snooper Mechanic  Daniel Erickson 651‐366‐4351
Metro Snooper Mechanic  James Kommer 651‐366‐4351
Metro Snooper Mechanic  Matt Holmstrom 651‐366‐4353
Oakdale Mech. Supervisor  James Northway 651‐366‐4353
Oakdale Mech. Supervisor  Ronald Stadt 651‐366‐4352

(S) Is the snooper truck cell phone for each listed unit. 

51 

 

XVIII. Snooper Contacts 

 
The snooper truck phones follow the MnDOT cell phone policy attached in appendix A.  The 
snooper drivers are required to review and sign their monthly bill in accordance with the 
MnDOT cell phone policy and return it to Farrell Potter at the bridge office, his contact number 
is listed on page 2.  In accordance with MnDOT’s business manual, snooper truck operators are 
not to use any cell phone while driving the snoopers on public roads

52 
 

XIX. Appendix A: Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of

Electronic Communication and Technology 

Effective June 26, 2006

The State of Minnesota provides a variety of electronic tools such as telephones, cellular telephones,
computers, facsimile machines, pagers, electronic mail (e-mail) systems, and Internet access for
employees whose job performance would be enhanced by the technology. The State faces the
challenge of making maximum use of the benefits of such tools, meeting legal requirements for
access to information, and providing adequate protection for proprietary information. This policy
memorandum governs access to and the appropriate use of State-provided electronic tools and
technology at all times, including both work and non-work time, by State employees in the executive
branch, consultants and/or contractors.

Employee access to and use of electronic tools such as e-mail and the Internet is intended for
business-related purposes. Limited and reasonable use of these tools for occasional employee
personal purpose that does not result in any additional costs of loss of time or resources for their
intended business purpose is permitted. Reasonable use of state-owned cellular phones is limited to
"essential personal use" as defined in the addendum to this policy specifically addressing Cellular
Telephone Use.

Department Head Responsibility: Appointing authorities are encouraged to use this policy as a
framework for issuing their own departmental policies. Modifications may be made to accommodate
individual departmental needs, so long as they do not enlarge or diminish what the statutes allow. In
the event that an appointing authority does not promulgate an agency-specific policy, this policy shall
be the applicable policy.

Employee Responsibility: Executive branch employees are responsible for appropriate use of
electronic tools, including telephones, cellular telephones, computers, facsimile machines, pagers, e-  
mail and Internet access. They are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards when
conducting State business and to follow the Code of Ethics and related State statutes applicable to
executive branch employees. For example:

Minn. Stat. 43A.38, Subd. 4 provides "Use of state property":

1. An employee shall not use or allow the use of state time, supplies, or state-owned or leased
property and equipment for the employee's private interest or any other use not in the interest
of the state, except as provided by law.

2. An employee may use state time, property, or equipment to communicate electronically with
other persons including, but not limited to, elected officials, the employer, or an exclusive
bargaining representative under chapter 179A, provided this use, including the value of time
spent, results in no incremental cost to the state or results in an incremental cost that is so
small as to make accounting for it unreasonable or administratively impracticable.

Minn. Stat. 43A.39, Subd. 2 provides "Noncompliance":

1. Any employee who intentionally fails to comply with the provisions of Chapter 43A shall be
subject to disciplinary action and action pursuant to Chapter 609.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring the appropriate use of all electronic tools,
including e-mail and Internet access through training, supervising, coaching and taking disciplinary
action, when necessary.

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XIX. Appendix A: Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of

Electronic Communication and Technology 

Each agency is responsible for establishing internal policies regarding password management,
encryption, data practices, monitoring access, records retention, and the like, and for communicating
those policies to staff. Each agency will ensure that the responsible authorities within their agencies
know who can access what, using what technology, and under what conditions.

Appropriate Use: State employees need to use good judgment in the use of the State-provided
electronic tools and technology, including Internet access and e-mail use. They are expected to
ensure that messages conveyed are appropriate in both the types of messages created and the tone
and content of those messages. Employee use of all State-provided electronic tools and technology,
including e-mail and the Internet, must be able to withstand public scrutiny without embarrassment to
the agency or the State of Minnesota.

Examples of inappropriate use include, but are not limited to:

1. Illegal activities;
2. Wagering, betting, or selling;
3. Harassment, disparagement of others, stalking, and/or illegal discrimination;
4. Fund-raising for any purpose unless agency sanctioned;
5. Commercial activities, e.g., personal for-profit business activities;
6. Promotion of political or religious positions or activities;
7. Receipt, storage, display or transmission of material that is or may be reasonably regarded as

violent, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, sexually explicit, or pornographic, including any
depiction, photograph, audio recording, or written word;
8. Downloading or installing software (including games and executable files) unless agency
sanctioned;
9. Unauthorized accessing of non-public data;
10. Non-State employee use (e.g., family member or friend) at work or away from work;
11. Uses that are in any way disruptive or harmful to the reputation or business of the State; and
12. Purposes other than state business, except incidental or minimal use.

Engaging in any of the above listed activities may subject an employee to discipline, up to and
including discharge.

The traditional communication rules of reasonableness, respect, courtesy and common sense and
legal requirements also apply to electronic communication. Actions that are considered illegal such as
gambling and harassment are not up to the discretion of individual agencies or individual managers or
supervisors, and such actions will subject the employee to disciplinary action up to and including
discharge.

Employees should be aware that they might receive inappropriate, unsolicited e-mail messages. Any
such messages should be reported immediately to the employee's supervisor or manager and any
other designated official within the employee's agency. Under no circumstances should an employee
either forward or reply to these messages prior to consulting with management.

While employees may make personal use of State technology such as e-mail and Internet access, the
amount of use during working hours is expected to be limited to incidental use. Excessive time spent

54 

 

XIX. Appendix A: Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of

Electronic Communication and Technology 

on such personal activities during working hours will subject the employee to disciplinary action.

Union Use: In the interest of maintaining effective labor-management relationships and efficient use
of State time and resources, State e-mail systems may be used by employee representatives of the
union for certain union activities, in accordance with provisions of applicable bargaining unit
agreements.

State-owned property or services including the e-mail system may not be used for political activities,
fund-raising, campaigning for union office, union organizing activities, or solicitation of employees for
union membership.

Union use of electronic communication technology is subject to the same conditions as employee use
of such technology, as set forth in this Policy Memorandum. This includes the conditions set forth in
the paragraph below entitled, "Monitoring."

Monitoring: Electronic communication devices such as telephones, cellular telephones, facsimile
machines, pagers, State e-mail systems and Internet access are State property. Like other State
resources, they are intended to be used for State business and other agency-sanctioned activities.
Accordingly, the State reserves the right to monitor any and all cellular telephone, telephone
(However, electronic monitoring of telephone conversations will only occur if proper notice has been
given, in accordance with Federal regulations for Stored Wire and Electronic Communications and
Transactional Records Access (Federal Wire Tap Regulations) -- see 21 U.S.C. 2701-2711),
facsimile, pager, e-mail and Internet activities that occur on State equipment, including those which
may be of a "personal" nature. State-owned telephones, state-owned cellular telephones, facsimile
machines, pagers, e-mail and Internet systems and any and all software, data, or other information
stored on a State-owned computer are the property of the State and may be monitored, read,
examined, seized, or confiscated as necessary. Therefore, employees should not expect that any
facsimile, voicemail, or e-mail message either sent or received, or any Internet activities will remain
private (Similarly, other State-owned property, including but not limited to locked/unlocked desk
drawers and cabinets, vehicles and equipment may also be seized, confiscated and/or searched as
necessary. Employees should not expect that any personal property that is maintained and/or stored
in State-owned property would remain private). The State reserves the right to monitor any use of
these systems, including use of these systems while the employee is on his/her own time, to access
any information on these systems, and to take any action it determines to be appropriate with respect
to that information.

Data that agencies maintain electronically are government data and, as such, are subject to
classification and access under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes,
Chapter 13. Employees should understand that electronic data may not be completely secure. They
should also understand that e-mail messages and Internet transactions, including those they delete or
erase from their own files, may be backed up or recorded and stored centrally for system security and
investigative purposes. E-mails and records of Internet activities may be retrieved and viewed by
someone else with proper authority at a later date. It is the user's responsibility to use care in
communicating information not meant for public viewing.

Because electronic communication systems, such as facsimile, e-mail and Internet systems may not
be secure, it is recommended that employees not send any data classified under the Minnesota
Government Data Practices Act as not public (private or confidential data on individuals or nonpublic
or protected nonpublic data not on individuals) through unsecured facsimiles or over the e-mail or
Internet systems unless the data are encrypted or encoded.

55 

 

XIX. Appendix A: Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of
Electronic Communication and Technology 

Record Retention Schedules: Record retention schedules are the same regardless of the medium
used to create or store the record. As a result, many electronic records and e-mail messages are
official records of the agency and must be retained in accordance with the agency's approved record
retention schedule appropriate for the type, nature and content of the record. Improper disposal may
subject the employee and the agency to legal sanctions and other administrative or legal
consequences. The same rules that are used to determine if a paper, microform or videotaped record
should be retained apply to electronic records or email messages.

This policy memorandum was developed with the assistance of State human resources managers
and information technology and policy managers under the auspices of the departments of Employee
Relations and Administration. It will be updated and revised as needed. If you have questions, please
contact your agency human resources office or the designated official in your agency.

Issued: November 15, 1997
Revised: October 16, 2002, June 26, 2006

Cellular Telephone Use Addendum

Business Use Justification Requirements -- Cellular telephones and service are provided for official
state business use only and are made available to employees in positions where the associated
benefits justify the additional operating costs. Employees who travel or have job responsibilities that
include being outside of the office or are continuously on call for extended periods may be good
candidates for a state-assigned cellular telephone.

State agencies shall review and approve requests for cellular equipment and services consistent with
their internal procedures.

Shared Cellular Telephones -- Whenever frequency of use does not justify individual assignment,
the sharing of state-owned cellular telephones is encouraged to reduce costs.

Individual Assignment and Self-Management -- When sharing of state-owned cellular telephones
does not meet operational needs, an employee may be individually assigned cellular telephone
equipment.

Employees will acknowledge the receipt and acceptance of the conditions for the individual
assignment of a state-owned cellular telephone using an agency or a State of Minnesota form
developed for this purpose. See Acknowledgement of Receipt Cellular Telephone Services and
Equipment Form (attached).

The agency is responsible for keeping the Receipt Form on file for the duration of the individual
assignment of a cellular phone to an employee. When the employee leaves his/her position or is no
longer an authorized user, the state cellular equipment must be returned to the employee's supervisor
or other designated official.

Public Information -- Some call detail (e.g., time, date, duration, cost incurred) of calls appearing on
the state cellular telephone billing account is public information. Other call detail, such as the number
called, may not be public information.

56 

 

XIX. Appendix A: Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of
Electronic Communication and Technology 

Use of State Cellular Telephone for Personal Calls -- The use of state-owned cellular telephone
equipment and service is intended for state business. Personal use of state-owned cellular phones is
prohibited, except for essential personal calls.

Essential Personal Calls -- Essential personal calls are defined as calls of minimal duration and
frequency that are urgent in nature and cannot be made at another time or from a different telephone.
Examples of essential personal calls are calls to arrange for care of a child or other family emergency,
to alert a family member of an unexpected delay due to a change in work schedule, or to arrange for
transportation or service in the event of car trouble.

Reimbursement and Possible Disciplinary Action -- Employees are expected to use state cellular
telephones responsibly and in accordance with this policy and any applicable work rules.

Personal use of a state cellular telephone in violation of this policy or agency work rules may result in
revocation of the cellular telephone assignment and possible disciplinary action against the employee.
In addition, employees must reimburse the state within 30 days for the costs of non-essential personal
calls at the state's costs (i.e., the contracted per minute rate, any additional amounts for applicable toll
or roaming charges, miscellaneous fees and taxes).

Monthly Cellular Bill and Annual Service Reviews -- Employees are responsible for keeping track
of and identifying their personal calls. Any personal use of a state cellular telephone, including
essential personal calls, shall be identified by the employee and submitted monthly to his or her
supervisor or other employee assigned to review and approve the monthly cellular telephone bill.

Agencies should conduct a review annually of the individual cellular telephone assignments to
determine if there is a continuing need and if it is cost justified.

Optional Personal Line at Employee Expense -- For the convenience of state employees under
certain cellular service plans, the state has negotiated the right to purchase a personal cellular line
and number to be added to a state-owned cellular telephone. The personal billing account statement
will be kept separate from the public information state business billing account statement. Calling
records from the personal number will not be provided to the state and are not public information.

This option will eliminate commingling of personal and business calls on the state's cellular service. It
may also eliminate the need to carry two cellular telephones.

Use of a Personal Cellular Telephone for State Business -- This practice should be avoided to limit
reimbursement requests from employees at phone rates that are less economical than the state's
contracted rates.

In the event that an individual uses their personal cellular phone to conduct state business and makes
a reimbursement claim, only actual verifiable costs attributable to the state business call(s) will be
reimbursed by submitting an expense recovery form through his or her supervisor. "Actual verifiable
costs" are costs separately identified for each state call in excess of the standard monthly service fee.
If reimbursement requests are routinely submitted, the supervisor should consider the assignment of a
state-provided cellular phone or number to the individual employee.

57 

 

XIX. Appendix A: Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of
Electronic Communication and Technology 

Number Portability -- In the event of a change of vendors for the state's cellular contract, in most
cases cellular numbers may be ported (transferred) from one vendor to another.
Porting a personal cellular number to a state billing account is prohibited, as is porting a state cellular
number to a personal billing account. This will avoid commingling personal and business calls.
Employee Safety -- State of Minnesota employees are discouraged from using a cellular device while
operating a motor vehicle in the conduct of state business, except for the purpose of obtaining or
rendering emergency assistance.
Issued: June 26, 2006

58 
 

XX. Appendix B: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DIRECTIVE No. 08‐03

Subject:  Working over or next to waterways. 
 
Purpose:  To provide guidance and establish safety requirements for employees who have to work over 
or next to waterways.  
 
Scope:  This directive covers worksites that have only MnDOT employees working on them. 
 
Background:  Working over water or next to water has lead to many discussions regarding what the 
safety requirements are for employees working under these conditions.  Some the information is 
contradictory in nature and it is unclear which OSHA regulations apply to the different work scenarios 
encountered by MnDOT employees. The OSHA construction regulations address the issue under 
1926.106, but the OSHA general industry standards do not address the issue.  Most of MnDOT’s activity 
involving work over water is maintenance work which is covered by the general industry standards.   
 
Most of the controversy regarding working over water has to do with three issues; (1) when is a 
personal floatation device (PFD) required, (2) when does a ring buoy need to be made available, and (3) 
when is a boat or skiff required to be readily available to facilitate a rapid water rescue.  The OSHA 
general industry standards do not specifically address any of these issues.  However a PFD would be 
considered a type of personal protective equipment and would have to be provided and worn when an 
employee is exposed to a drowning hazard.  The OSHA construction standards do address all three of 
these issues and requires that all three be provided when employees are working over water; however 
Federal OSHA interpretations waive the PFD requirement when employees are protected by continuous 
fall protection that will prevent employees from falling.  Federal OSHA has not issued any 
interpretations waiving the boat requirement when continuous fall protection is used.  Federal OSHA’s 
expectation is that a boat be provided whenever construction work is being done over water.  Given the 
challenging geographic locations and the different types of waterways MnDOT works over, providing a 
boat will not always be feasible or safe.  This directive will provide guidance on when a boat will be 
required. 
 
Another confusing issue has to do with what are considered “maintenance activities” verses what is 
“construction work”.  The OSHA regulations define “construction work” as “construction, alteration, 
and/or repair, including painting and decorating.”  The OSHA regulations do not provide a definition of 
“maintenance”, nor a clear distinction between terms such as “maintenance”, “repair”, or 
“refurbishment”, however in one of their directives Federal OSHA states; “maintenance activities” can 
be defined as; making or keeping a structure, fixture or foundation (substrates) in proper condition in a 
routine, scheduled, or anticipated fashion. This definition implies “keeping equipment working in its 
existing state, i.e., preventing its failure or decline.”   
 

59 

 

XX. Appendix B: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DIRECTIVE No. 08‐03

There are many activities at MnDOT that are routine and anticipated which can be easily categorized as 
maintenance activities.  For those activities that do not clearly fall under maintenance work they will 
have to be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis.  This directive will help with that evaluation and outline 
safety requirements for all work over water or next to waterway 
 
References: 29 CFR 1926.106

29 CFR 1910.132
Federal OSHA Standard Interpretation, 08/11/1994 – Construction vs.
Maintenance
Federal OSHA Standard Interpretation, 12/06/1991 – When a lifesaving skiff is to
be considered as being “immediately available”.

Action: When a supervisor receives a work assignment that involves working over or near a
waterway the supervisor must make a determination if the work will be considered maintenance
activity or construction activity. “Bridge Safety Inspections” will be considered maintenance
activity. Bridge inspections related to the monitoring of a contractors job are not covered by this
directive.

Work, including bridge safety inspections, will be considered maintenance activity when the
activity meets the following criteria:

It is work done for the purposes of making or keeping a structure, fixture or foundation
(substrates) in proper condition in a routine, scheduled, or anticipated fashion. Work that
is done to keep a structure in its existing state, preventing failure or decline.

Work that does not meet this criteria will be considered construction work. In instances where
an activity cannot easily be classified as construction or maintenance, the activity should be
classified to allow the application of the more stringent requirements.

PFD Use Requirements During Maintenance Activity

Working over water – When employees are working over water they must be protected from
falling regardless of the fall distance to the water, and regardless of the water depth. Fall
protection can be in the form of a guardrail system, a personal fall arrest system, safety net, or a
restraint system. Employees must be continuously protected.

When fall protection is used 100% of the time the use of a PFD is optional. Employees working
from a “snooper basket” must be protected from falling with a personal fall arrest system that
provides 100% fall protection all of the time.

60 

 

XX. Appendix B: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DIRECTIVE No. 08‐03

In situations where an employee will be doing work or conducting an inspection that requires
them or could result in them putting their body past the vertical plane of the guardrail,
employees will be required to use secondary fall protection in the form of a personal fall arrest
system regardless of the guardrail height.

Working next to water – Employees working next to the water may have to wear a PFD. If the
supervisor determines that there is a hazard of falling, slipping, or sliding into the water, a PFD
and/or a restraint system will have to be used. Things that need to be considered when
assessing the hazard level are; slope of embankment at the water’s edge, depth of water at
water’s edge, water current, type of terrain on embankment. PFD’s and restraint systems will be
available to employees.

Ring Buoy Requirements During Maintenance Activities
Ring buoy’s are optional during maintenance activities.
Boat (Skiff) Requirements During Maintenance Activities

A boat is optional during maintenance activities.

PFD Use Requirements During Construction Activity

Working over water – When employees are working over water they must be protected from
falling regardless of the fall distance to the water, and regardless of the water depth. Fall
protection can be in the form of a guardrail system, a personal fall arrest system, a safety net, or
a fall restraint system. Employees must be continuously protected.

When fall protection is used 100% of the time, the use of a PFD is optional. Employees working
from a “snooper basket” must be protected from falling with a personal fall arrest system that
provides 100% fall protection all of the time.

When a guardrail is used as the means of fall protection during construction activities, the
guardrail must have a top rail that is 42 inches high and is strong enough to withstand 200 lbs of
force in a downward and outward direction.

Working next to water – Employees working next to the water may have to wear a PFD. If the
supervisor determines that there is a hazard of falling, slipping, or sliding into the water, a PFD
and/or a restraint system will have to be used. Things that need to be considered when
assessing the hazard level are; slope of embankment at the waters edge, depth of water at
waters edge, water current, type of terrain on embankment. PFD’s and restraint systems will be
available to employees.

61 

 

XX. Appendix B: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DIRECTIVE No. 08‐03

Ring Buoy Requirements During Construction Work

Whenever work is being done over water or next to the water, ring buoys with at least 90 feet of
line must be immediately available. Ring buoys cannot be more than 200 feet apart.

Boat (Skiff) Requirements During Construction Work

Working Over Water – MnDOT will strive to provide a boat at all sites where construction work is
done above or next to waterway as long as it is feasible and does not expose our employees to
greater hazards. A boat will not automatically need to be provided when employees are working
over water, provided 100% fall protection is being used by employees. Fall protection can be in
the form of a guardrail system, a personal fall arrest system, a safety net, or a fall restraint
system.

A boat will have to be provided when it is feasible, the use of a boat does not create a hazard,
or there are unusual circumstances related to the worksite that requires having a boat available.

Feasibility – Things that have to be considered when determining feasibility include;

1) Duration of the work. Will the work assignment last long enough to justify
employee related exposure associated to launching and staffing a boat at the
worksite.

2) Is there an area available to launch a boat. It may be difficult to launch a boat
at many worksites, or a launch site may be a long distance away.

Greater Hazard – Using the boat should not expose employees to greater hazards than
employees will be exposed to while doing the work assigned. The following are greater hazard
examples;

1) Launching and navigating the boat in a river with a swift current.
2) The water is too shallow to navigate a boat.
3) The water way is full of large rocks, debris, or other water hazards.
4) Hazards associated with launching a boat when there is no boat launch.

Working next to water - A boat will not automatically need to be provided when employees are
working next to water. A boat will have to be provided when it is feasible, the use of a boat does
not create a hazard, or there are unusual circumstances related to the worksite that warrants
having a boat available.

62 

 

XX. Appendix B: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DIRECTIVE No. 08‐03

Boat Requirements - When a boat is required there will have to be a designated operator
assigned to the boat. The operator and any other occupants will be required to wear a PFD
when they are in the boat. The boat operator must be trained in boat safety and water rescue
procedures. The boat has to be immediately available. For a boat to be considered
“immediately available” the following criteria must be met:

1) The boat must be in the water or capable of being quickly launched by one person.
2) There must be at least one person present and specifically designated to respond to

water emergencies at all times when there is employees working over water.
3) Appropriate equipment to conduct a water rescue must be made available to the

boat operator.
4) The designated operator must either staff the boat at all times or remain in the

immediate area so he/she can quickly reach the boat and get underway.
5) The boat operator may be assigned other tasks provided the tasks do not interfere

with the operator’s ability to quickly reach the boat and get underway.
6) There needs to be an effective communication system to inform the operator of an

emergency.
7) The boat must be appropriately sized for the water conditions, be coast guard

approved, and be equipped with both a motor and oars.

Responsibilities:

A. Manager/Supervisor

1. Classify the type of work activity, construction or maintenance.

2. Determine what PPE and fall protection systems will be used to protect
employees.

3. Make sure PPE and fall protection equipment is available and enforce the use of
the PPE and fall protection.

4. Determine if boat will be required. If a boat is not required, maintain written
justification why the use of a boat is not feasible.

5. Make sure employees have had appropriate training on PPE and fall protection
systems.

B. Employees
1. Utilize required fall protection system.

2. Wear PPE as required on the job site.

63 

 

XX. Appendix B: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DIRECTIVE No. 08‐03

3. Notify supervisor it they are unsure of how to use PPE or fall protection system.
4. Inform supervisor if they have a safety concern.
C. District Safety Administrator
1. Assist supervisor in determining type of work being done.
2. Provide assistance in identifying appropriate PPE and fall protection systems

required for the work being done.
3. Assist in training employees on PPE use and fall protection systems.
D. MnDOT Safety Director
1. Maintain the directive so that it is current and complies with all regulatory

requirements.
2. Provide consultation and guidance to managers, supervisors, and district safety

administrators on the directive, Personal Protective Equipment requirements, and
fall protection systems.
3. Assist in training of supervisors and employees on directive.
 
 

64 
 

XXI. Appendix C: Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 
1926.502(d) 

§ 1926.502 29(d) CFR Ch. XVII (7–1– rope;
01 Edition) (ii) to each other;
(d) Personal fall arrest systems. Personal (iii) to a Dee-ring to which another
fall arrest systems and their use snaphook or other connector is attached; (iv)
shall comply with the provisions set to a horizontal lifeline; or
forth below. Effective January 1, 1998, (v) to any object which is incompatibly
body belts are not acceptable as part of shaped or dimensioned in relation
a personal fall arrest system. Note: The to the snaphook such that unintentional
use of a body belt in a positioning device disengagement could occur
system is acceptable and is regulated by the connected object being able to
under paragraph (e) of this section. depress the snaphook keeper and release
(1) Connectors shall be drop forged, itself.
pressed or formed steel, or made of (7) On suspended scaffolds or similar
equivalent materials. work platforms with horizontal lifelines
(2) Connectors shall have a corrosion which may become vertical lifelines,
resistant the devices used to connect to a
finish, and all surfaces and horizontal lifeline shall be capable of
edges shall be smooth to prevent damage locking in both directions on the lifeline.
to interfacing parts of the system. (8) Horizontal lifelines shall be designed,
(3) Dee-rings and snaphooks shall installed, and used, under the
have a minimum tensile strength of supervision of a qualified person, as
5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). part of a complete personal fall arrest
(4) Dee-rings and snaphooks shall be system, which maintains a safety factor
proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of at least two.
of 3,600 pounds (16 kN) without cracking, (9) Lanyards and vertical lifelines
breaking, or taking permanent deformation. shall have a minimum breaking
(5) Snaphooks shall be sized to be strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN).
compatible with the member to which (10) (i) Except as provided in paragraph
they are connected to prevent unintentional (d)(10)(ii) of this section, when
disengagement of the snaphook vertical lifelines are used, each employee
by depression of the snaphook keeper shall be attached to a separate
by the connected member, or shall be a lifeline.
locking type snaphook designed and
used to prevent disengagement of the 65 
snaphook by the contact of the
snaphook keeper by the connected
member. Effective January 1, 1998, only
locking type snaphooks shall be used.
(6) Unless the snaphook is a locking
type and designed for the following
connections, snaphooks shall not be
engaged:
(i) directly to webbing, rope or wire

 

XXI. Appendix C: Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 
1926.502(d) 

(ii) During the construction of elevator factor of at least two; and
shafts, two employees may be attached (ii) under the supervision of a qualified
to the same lifeline in the hoistway, person.
provided both employees are working atop a (16) Personal fall arrest systems,
false car that is equipped with guardrails; the when stopping a fall, shall:
strength of the lifeline is 10,000 pounds (i) limit maximum arresting force on
[5,000 pounds per employee attached] (44.4 an employee to 900 pounds (4 kN) when
kN); and all other criteria specified in this used with a body belt;
paragraph for lifelines have been met. (ii) limit maximum arresting force
(11) Lifelines shall be protected against on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN)
being cut or abraded. when used with a body harness;
(12) Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards (iii) be rigged such that an employee
which automatically limit free can neither free fall more than 6 feet
fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level;
shall be capable of sustaining a minimum (iv) bring an employee to a complete
tensile load of 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN) stop and limit maximum deceleration
applied to the device with the lifeline or distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet
lanyard in the fully extended (1.07 m); and,
position. (v) have sufficient strength to withstand
(13) Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards twice the potential impact energy
which do not limit free fall distance of an employee free falling a distance
to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less, ripstitch of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall
lanyards, and tearing and deforming distance permitted by the system,
lanyards shall be capable of sustaining whichever is less.
a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds NOTE: If the personal fall arrest system
(22.2 kN) applied to the device with the meets the criteria and protocols contained in
lifeline or lanyard in the fully extended Appendix C to subpart M, and if the system
position. is being used by an employee having a
(14) Ropes and straps (webbing) used combined person and tool weight of less
in lanyards, lifelines, and strength than 310 pounds (140 kg), the system will
components of body belts and body be considered to be in compliance with the
harnesses shall be made from synthetic provisions of paragraph (d)(16) of this
fibers. section. If the
(15) Anchorages used for attachment system is used by an employee having a
of personal fall arrest equipment shall combined tool and body weight of 310
be independent of any anchorage being pounds (140 kg) or more, then the employer
used to support or suspend platforms must appropriately modify the criteria and
and capable of supporting at least 5,000 protocols of the Appendix to provide proper
pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached, or protection for such heavier weights, or the
shall be designed, installed, system will not be deemed to be in
and used as follows: compliance with the
(i) as part of a complete personal fall requirements of paragraph (d)(16) of this
arrest system which maintains a safety section.

66 

 

XXI. Appendix C: Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 
1926.502(d) 

(17) The attachment point of the body belt walking/working surface. of 3,600 pounds
shall be located in the center of the wearer’s (16 kN) without cracking,
back. The attachment point of the body breaking, or taking permanent deformation.
harness shall be located in the center of the (7) Snaphooks shall be sized to be
wearer’s back near shoulder level, or above compatible with the member to which
the wearer’s head. they are connected to prevent unintentional
(18) Body belts, harnesses, and components disengagement of the snaphook by
shall be used only for employee protection depression of the snaphook keeper by the
(as part of a personal fall arrest system or connected member, or shall be a locking
positioning device system) and not to hoist type snaphook designed and used to prevent
materials. disengagement of the snaphook by the
(19) Personal fall arrest systems and contact of the snaphook keeper by the
components subjected to impact loading connected member. As of January 1, 1998,
shall be immediately removed from only locking type snaphooks shall be used.
service and shall not be used again for (8) Unless the snaphook is a locking
employee protection until inspected type and designed for the following
and determined by a competent person connections, snaphooks shall not be
to be undamaged and suitable for engaged:
reuse. (i) directly to webbing, rope or wire
(20) The employer shall provide for rope;
prompt rescue of employees in the (ii) to each other;
event of a fall or shall assure that employees (iii) to a Dee-ring to which another
are able to rescue themselves. snaphook or other connector is attached;
(21) Personal fall arrest systems shall (iv) to a horizontal lifeline; or
be inspected prior to each use for wear, (v) to any object which is incompatibly
damage and other deterioration, and shaped or dimensioned in relation
defective components shall be removed to the snaphook such that unintentional
from service. disengagement could occur
(22) Body belts shall be at least one by the connected object being able to
and five-eighths (15⁄8) inches (4.1 cm) depress the snaphook keeper and release
wide. itself.
(23) Personal fall arrest systems shall (9) Positioning device systems shall
not be attached to guardrail systems, be inspected prior to each use for wear,
nor shall they be attached to hoists except as damage, and other deterioration, and
specified in other subparts of defective components shall be removed
this part. from service.
(24) When a personal fall arrest system (10) Body belts, harnesses, and components
is used at hoist areas, it shall be shall be used only for employee
rigged to allow the movement of the protection (as part of a personal
employee only as far as the edge of the fall arrest system or positioning device
system) and not to hoist materials.

67 
 

XX. Appendix D: OSHA Regulations pertaining to work
near overhead power lines

 
1926.550(a)(15)  
Except where electrical distribution and transmission lines have been deenergized and visibly grounded 
at point of work or where insulating barriers, not a part of or an attachment to the equipment or 
machinery, have been erected to prevent physical contact with the lines, equipment or machines shall 
be operated proximate to power lines only in accordance with the following: 
1926.550(a)(15)(i)  
For lines rated 50 kV. or below, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load 
shall be 10 feet; 
1926.550(a)(15)(ii)  
For lines rated over 50 kV. minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall 
be 10 feet plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV. over 50 kV. or twice the length of the line insulator, but never less 
than 10 feet; 
1926.550(a)(15)(iii)  
In transit with no load and boom lowered, the equipment clearance shall be a minimum of 4 feet for 
voltages less than 50 kV., and 10 feet for voltages over 50 kV., up to and including 345 kV., and 16 feet 
for voltages up to and including 750 kV. 

68 
 

XXI. Appendix E: Commercial Motor Vehicle Pre‐Trip and 
Post‐Trip Inspection Requirements 

 
69 
 

XXI. Appendix E: Commercial Motor Vehicle Pre‐Trip and 
Post‐Trip Inspection Requirements 

 
 

70 
 

XXII. Appendix F: High Angle Rescue Equipment 

The following is a list of equipment basket operators and passengers should consider carrying to 
maximize their chance of recovery in case of a catastrophic failure or accident.  This equipment should 
only be used by personnel who have been trained in its proper use.  The equipment is available in each 
snooper truck.  The minimum high angle rescue equipment required in the basket when operating the 
snooper baskets are the 4 to 1 rescue strap and the telescoping rescue pole.  The following list is more 
equipment that should be considered during snooper operation. 

The bag with the ½ in. sterling 150’ rescue rope (Photo 1). Inside the bag with the rope, or on a locking 
carabineer attached to either the bag or an anchorage point in the snooper basket should be the Petzl 
I’D descender belay device (Photo 2), left and right hand Petzl ascenders/carabineers (Photo 3) with an 
orange (short) and blue (long) prusik (Photo 4), and the rescue strap with utility shears (Photo 5). 

The rescue ropes carabineer should be attached to the baskets anchor point immediately upon starting 
the under bridge maintenance or inspection task. The rope bag measures 10” – 12” wide by approx. 18 
“tall and there should be room for the above mentioned equipment if you should want to keep it all 
bagged together. The rope and equipment if kept together should not interfere with the inspection or 
maintenance task being performed.  

 

 

Photo 1 Bag with ½” Sterling 150’ Rescue Rope 

71 
 

XXII. Appendix F: High Angle Rescue Equipment 

 

Photo 2 Petzl I’D Descender Belay Device 

 

Photo 3 Left and Right Hand Petzl Ascenders/Carabineers 
72 

 

XXII. Appendix F: High Angle Rescue Equipment 

 

Photo 4 orange (short) and blue (long) prusik 

 

Photo 5 Rescue Strap with Utility Shears 

73