As we approach the holidays, traffic is bound to increase due to seasonal vacations to cross-state family visits. However, that doesn’t mean construction projects will come to a halt. The combination of traffic and work zone construction can lead to many accidents and even deaths for both drivers and flaggers.
As a road construction planner/business owner or work zone construction worker, you can promote work zone safety by adhering to these tips:
Offer Proper Professional Training for Flaggers and Construction Workers
One of the most important ways to reduce work zone related accidents is to hire a workforce that is properly trained. Flaggers and construction zone workers should not only have a deep understanding of safety techniques but should also be knowledgeable of how to operate and maneuver equipment.
As the #1 traffic control company serving North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia, Bird Dog Traffic Control is committed to providing the highest trained employees. We offer a range of training programs to certify your workforce and help create a new standard in safety.
Provide High-Visibility Clothing and Safety Equipment
To help ensure visibility, it’s crucial to always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that meets ANSI standards. This includes hard hats, bright orange or lime/yellow colored clothing like vests, shirts or jackets and steel-toed boots. Making sure you’re as visible as possible is important to ensure your safety when working.
In need of proper equipment? Bird Dog Traffic Control is proud to provide a range of traffic control equipment that’s available for sales or rental. Learn more by visiting our Sales and Rental page.
Complete a Pre-Construction Work Assessment
Before you begin working on a construction project, it’s imperative that you conduct a thorough risk assessment that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. This will help you determine what hazards or issues may come into play during the completion of your project.
Conduct Regular Safety Programs and Meetings
Every construction project work zone and day is different. Before starting work, it’s important that everyone is on the same page as far as safety and job site expectations. Because of this, having a safety program in place (and having frequent meetings about them) that’s geared towards your worksite is essential.
Specifics in your program can include:
- Identifying all potential work zone risks and having a plan in place to control and prevent them.
- Have a schedule for checking and inspecting all equipment and materials.
- In the case of an emergency, have a plan for getting medical care as soon as possible and make sure all first aid kits are stocked and up to date.
Perform Daily Health Assessments
Each day before starting the workday, it’s imperative that you make sure your site managers and employees are performing daily health assessments regarding overall health and general wellbeing. Workzone construction and management is no easy feat. Make sure your employees are hydrated, well-fed and following the best safety practices.
Make Sure Your Flaggers and Workers Are Alert
If a work construction zone employee is properly trained, it should go without saying that staying alert is the easiest way to keep a work zone safe. Flaggers and other employees should be on the lookout for distracted drivers, improper signage, and trailered devices that aren’t working properly. This will not only keep people working in the construction zone safe but also drivers traveling through work zones.
At Bird Dog Traffic Control, we take the safety of our workers very seriously as well as drivers passing through our work zones. We look at our employees as family and hope that you take these safety tips into consideration to keep everyone in this industry as safe as possible.
To learn more about how we can fulfill your traffic control or work zone construction needs, contact us today by calling 844-369-0799 or by filling out our contact form.
For other traffic control safety tips and information, visit our blog!
