Safety Tips Brought to you by ALCA - Working Safely Near Traffic

From time to time your work site may be located near a road or street. Take steps to protect yourself, coworkers and equipment from traffic.

Temporary Traffic Control Zone—Although each zone is different, temporary traffic control devices such as warning signs and cones should comply with the Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
•    Notify local police before starting a job that might interfere with traffic flow.
•    All equipment, vehicles and materials should be stored away from traffic to avoid collision.
•    Wear highly-reflective, brightly-colored vests and clothing to make yourself visible to traffic.
•    Use highly-visible signs, cones and barricades to warn and direct traffic and protect you and your coworkers while working.
•    All warning signs, cones and barricades should be easy-to-read and clean to maintain maximum visibility.
•    Remove or cover warning signs when the job is finished or you are not working.
•    When you must leave vehicles unattended, remember to roll up all windows, remove the keys and lock all the doors.

Work Beyond the Shoulder—When you are working beyond the shoulder, but within the right-of-way, minimal traffic control is required. Generally, if the work is 15 feet or more from the edge of the traveled way, or two feet from the curb, no control devices are needed. You should use a single warning sign when work lasts longer than 60 minutes and when any of the following situations exist:
•    Vehicles are parked on the shoulder
•    Equipment is traveling on or crossing the roadway frequently
•    Work is within 15 feet of the traveled way
•    Work is within two feet of the curb
•    Appropriate warning signs for work beyond the shoulder include ROAD WORK AHEAD or SHOULDER WORK.
•    If you will be working 60 minutes or less, a vehicle with activated high-intensity rotating light may be used in place of a sign, cones and barricades.

Work on the Shoulder
When you are closing a shoulder that is eight feet wide or more, you must add another warning sign. The general warning sign, such as ROAD WORK AHEAD should be used, followed by a SHOULDER CLOSED sign. You should also use cones and barricades to close the shoulder and direct traffic to remain within the traveled way. This is called a shoulder taper.