According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), around 142 construction workers met death in 2019 due to roadway incidents. Among these causalities, 34 deaths were caused due to collisions with objects other than vehicles, and 25 deaths were cause due to non-collision incidents. This article discusses 5 measures for traffic signal contractors and signal construction.
1. Have a Plan
Every traffic signal construction project should have a detailed practical transportation management plan. This plan lays out the details for alternative traffic control plan during the construction project. It should take into account all traffic details to ensure safety for workers working on the construction site. Other than the plan about vehicles moving on the road, there should also be another work zone plan for inside operations that should address matters such as flow of heavy equipment, construction vehicles, and workers during the construction traffic signal construction.
2. Properly Control Traffic
During traffic signal construction, the work zone should be properly marked with warning signs to alert motorists of the required changes in routes, restricted area, buffer area, and so on. During the time of signal construction, the vehicle drivers should have clear directions what to do and which route to adopt lest the traffic gets jammed or any accident is encountered.
Traffic control devices, such as cones, barrels, signs, and barriers, should be placed properly, complying with the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and any other state agency requirements.
3. Create Separate Work Areas
A construction zone is normally very busy area. Various activities are going on in a small area at the same time. It is important to demarcate different work zones as per their requirements to avoid any mishaps. A traffic signal contractor must use equipment such as cones, barrels, and barriers to clearly isolate and demarcate specific areas of the work zones.
4. Wear Proper Safety Equipment
Since a signal construction is going on in a busy road therefore traffic signal contractor must ensure that all the workers are equipped properly, and they are wearing proper safety equipment inside the work zone. It is the job of contractor to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hard hats, proper boots, visible neon jackets, and hearing protection according to the noise level.
During signal construction, all PPEs should be according to the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) developed standards. Neon clothing should be in bright fluorescent color such as orange or lime/yellow. If the construction work is being carried out at night, the visible clothing should have reflective material, and should meet ANSI Class 2 or 3 standards.
5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When you are working on roadside, it does not matter if you are working on a relatively quiet and lesser busy road. You must always be watchful of the events going on around you, even if your job description does not require this. A road might be less busy at one point of time, making you overlook safety measures. However, this does not remain for the longer period. Therefore, you must take appropriate precautions to ensure safety of the workers.
Conclusion
LA Signal is a reputable company for signal construction. Known for their expertise and professionalism, LA Signals’ Traffic signal contractors can work on any kind of site for the signal construction.
Read more: 5 Construction Site Security Cameras to Improve Security
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