| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work zone location and traffic conditions | Struck by passing vehicles, poor visibility, limited shoulder space | Evaluate sight distance, choose safest possible location, consider full lane closures if warranted, ensure proper lighting for night work |
| Set up advance warning signs | Motorists unaware of work zone, sudden braking, worker exposure | Follow MUTCD requirements for spacing and placement, use appropriate signs and supplemental warnings, deploy arrow boards where needed |
| Place cones, barrels, or delineators | Struck by traffic, narrow work area, inattentive motorists | Establish taper gradually, place devices from upstream to downstream, always face traffic when placing or retrieving devices |
| Establish safe worker positioning | Being in live lanes, poor escape routes, blind spots | Stand behind barriers or guardrail when possible, position workers upstream of the work activity, maintain clear escape path |
| Perform assigned work tasks | Vehicle intrusion, distraction, debris from passing trucks | Assign spotter or lookout, maintain constant situational awareness, minimize time spent next to traffic lanes |
| Use equipment and vehicles | Backing accidents, equipment entering traffic lane | Use backup alarms, assign spotter, park equipment away from live lanes, keep buckets and arms clear of traffic |
| Take breaks or rotate crew | Fatigue, reduced awareness, heat or cold stress | Rotate workers to maintain alertness, designate safe staging areas away from moving vehicles |
| Remove work zone devices | Increased exposure to traffic during takedown | Retrieve devices in reverse order of setup, stay within protected area, communicate via radio during takedown |
| Reopen road to normal traffic | Confusion among drivers, workers still in roadway | Ensure all workers and equipment are clear, remove all temporary signs or cover them, confirm all lanes are safe before reopening |
| Conduct post work review | Missed hazards, poor traffic control setup | Review what worked and what did not, adjust future setups, document any near misses |
Class 3 high visibility garment
Hard hat
Safety glasses
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when needed
Cut resistant gloves depending on task
Two way radio or communication device
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Work Zone & Traffic Control Safety
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work zone location and traffic conditions | Struck by passing vehicles, poor visibility, limited shoulder space | Evaluate sight distance, choose safest possible location, consider full lane closures if warranted, ensure proper lighting for night work |
| Set up advance warning signs | Motorists unaware of work zone, sudden braking, worker exposure | Follow MUTCD requirements for spacing and placement, use appropriate signs and supplemental warnings, deploy arrow boards where needed |
| Place cones, barrels, or delineators | Struck by traffic, narrow work area, inattentive motorists | Establish taper gradually, place devices from upstream to downstream, always face traffic when placing or retrieving devices |
| Establish safe worker positioning | Being in live lanes, poor escape routes, blind spots | Stand behind barriers or guardrail when possible, position workers upstream of the work activity, maintain clear escape path |
| Perform assigned work tasks | Vehicle intrusion, distraction, debris from passing trucks | Assign spotter or lookout, maintain constant situational awareness, minimize time spent next to traffic lanes |
| Use equipment and vehicles | Backing accidents, equipment entering traffic lane | Use backup alarms, assign spotter, park equipment away from live lanes, keep buckets and arms clear of traffic |
| Take breaks or rotate crew | Fatigue, reduced awareness, heat or cold stress | Rotate workers to maintain alertness, designate safe staging areas away from moving vehicles |
| Remove work zone devices | Increased exposure to traffic during takedown | Retrieve devices in reverse order of setup, stay within protected area, communicate via radio during takedown |
| Reopen road to normal traffic | Confusion among drivers, workers still in roadway | Ensure all workers and equipment are clear, remove all temporary signs or cover them, confirm all lanes are safe before reopening |
| Conduct post work review | Missed hazards, poor traffic control setup | Review what worked and what did not, adjust future setups, document any near misses |
Class 3 high visibility garment
Hard hat
Safety glasses
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when needed
Cut resistant gloves depending on task
Two way radio or communication device