PACIF has developed Safety Briefs to help municipal highway supervisors maintain a high level of safety and hazard awareness among employees. We recommend using these short “tailgate trainings” on a regular basis – but no less once a month. If you need a particular safety topic, please contact us at losscontrol@vlct.org.
Information for Supervisors
Employees performing duties in and around work zones are exposed to many types of hazards which could result in injury or death. Always consider your visibility to traffic, traffic flow and volume and use advance warning signage and devices.
Work zones are often congested with workers, equipment and vehicles that all adversely affect visibility. Always employ a buffer zone when possible and review the safety level of the work zone once it is set up. Lastly, don’t forget to complete a temporary traffic control plan and keep it onsite. VOSHA loves to check worksites that appear to be deficient. Always make sure that the proper signs are in place and that sufficient cones are used to make travels paths clear to motorists.
Talking Points for Training
The following tips should be practiced when in and around the work zone:
- Maintain visibility at all times. Make sure to wear approved high visibility clothing (ANSI class 2 or 3).
- Stay alert while in the work zone, especially when working close to traffic.
- Remember equipment operators have blind spots. Be aware of these and stay out of these locations.
- Never turn your back to traffic when you are flagging. Always know where vehicles are.
- Always have an escape route. This is a must for flaggers, but also a useful consideration for others in the work zone.
- Make sure the travel lane and the work area are clearly identified. Using more cones creates a better travel path for drivers.
- Design your workzone to prevent pedestrians and children entering the work space. Consider alternate travel paths.
- Complete and review your temporary traffic control plan with all those working in the zone. Follow your flagger training!
- When working on mobile projects or projects that last 30 minutes or less, cones or other methods to alert drivers of the hazards ahead should be used if no signs are present. Vehicles MUST use flashing strobes!
- Always make sure your advanced warning signs are in place before workers are in the work space.