What Workers Need to Know
This article deals with traffic and vehicle hazards in roadside work zones. You will also need to consider hazards associated with your specific work activities.
Understand the hazards
Working close to traffic is dangerous. Each roadside work site has its own unique set of hazards. Make sure your employer or supervisor has informed you of the hazards at your worksite before beginning work.
Be aware that the types of hazards can change over the course of your work shift. Traffic volumes can increase, for example, or changing light levels can reduce drivers’ visibility.
Potential hazards around the worksite
- Take note of any work vehicles or mobile equipment you need to be aware of.
- Consider if work vehicles will be entering or exiting the worksite over the course of the day.
- Store your equipment and supplies in an area where they won’t get hit and you
can safely access them.
Potential hazards on the road
- Be aware if you are working near an intersection with traffic coming from multiple directions.
- Measure how much space you have between your worksite and the roadway.
Be aware of your location vis-à-vis traffic, cyclists and pedestrians as you work. - Be aware of the visibility of approaching drivers. Check to see if there are any
curves, crests of hills, trees and bushes, or parked vehicles. - Take note of any overhead cables, railway crossings or rights-of-way.
- Be aware of other roadside work or traffic control going on nearby.
Image courtesy: Road Safety at Work
Potential traffic hazards
- Be aware of the type of traffic that is passing by — passenger vehicles, buses, large trucks.
- Large vehicles such as commercial trucks are often wider than normal vehicles and may have protruding side mirrors.
- Be aware of vehicles travelling faster than the speed limit.
- Identify any cycle lanes. What is the volume of cyclists?
Image courtesy: Road Safety at Work
Look at the local area
- Be aware of delivery vehicles, buses or other vehicles that may periodically block
signage or reduce road width. - Identify any traffic entering or exiting nearby commercial premises that could block signage or obstruct visibility of you or your co-workers.
- Consider any police, ambulance or fire stations you should be aware of.
Look at pedestrians
- Be aware of any pedestrian traffic near your worksite. Is there a clear path for pedestrians to travel safely, including those with mobility issues, such as the
elderly or disabled? - Be aware of any children in the vicinity. Identify nearby schools, parks, playgrounds, etc.
Look at the environment
- Consider if the weather may impact visibility of drivers (e.g., fog, heavy rain).
- Be aware of the road conditions. Are they slick or slippery?
- Be aware of any light conditions or location of the sun that may affect drivers’ visibility.
Look at what might change
Consider how the above hazards may change over the course of your work. For example:
- Rush-hour traffic flows
- School-run traffic and parking
- Special events
- Weather, amount of daylight, and road surface conditions
This article is courtesy of Road Safety at Work.
