Traffic
Working around traffic is dangerous when it puts workers at risk of being hit by a motor vehicle. Roadside work can be in a range of industries, including:
- Auto recovery & towing
- Construction
- Fire, police, or ambulance response
- Landscaping
- Road building
- Road maintenance
- Traffic control
- Utility maintenance
Employers conducting roadside work for any length of time are responsible for managing the risk to workers.
Managing the risk
Start by identifying the traffic hazards. Consider all areas where workers may be exposed to vehicle traffic.
Next, determine what you must do to manage the risk. You must first try to eliminate the risk. This is the most effective method to protect workers. For example, try to remove workers from exposure to traffic by isolating the work zone using detours, alternative routes, barriers, or other effective measures.
If you can’t eliminate the risk, use a layered approach to risk controls:
- Install engineering controls, such as automated flagger assistance devices (AFADs).
- Use administrative controls that reduce workers’ exposure to traffic. This could include scheduling work during hours of the day when there is less traffic.
- Use traffic control persons (TCPs). TCPs must be properly trained and safely positioned, and must only be used if engineering and administrative controls are not enough to manage traffic risks.
Depending how long the work will last, you may need to complete a written risk assessment and a written traffic control plan based on that assessment. Part 18 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation outlines the requirements for traffic control.
Make sure workers know what controls are in place and how they manage the risk. Workers also need to know the safe work procedures they must follow to reduce risk.
Whenever conditions at the worksite change, you will need to review your risk assessment and then update it, along with the traffic control plan, as needed.
See the links below for more information on keeping workers safe when working in and around traffic. Additional resources on roadside work zone safety are available from Road Safety at Work.
Resources
Reducing the risk of workers being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment: Guide to using the fillable template
At many workplaces, workers are at risk of being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment such as forklifts, excavators, trucks, and graders. This guide describes how employers can complete the fillable...
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Reducing the risk of workers being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment
Working near or interacting with vehicles or mobile equipment puts workers at a high risk of being struck. This information sheet aims to raise awareness of the key factors that contribute to these...
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Highlights
- Revised safety poster shows workers how to stand out safely around mobile equipment and vehicles Published on: April 24, 2023
- New safety resources available to help reduce the risk of struck-by incidents at your worksite Published on: January 13, 2023
- Campaign urging drivers to slow down and pay attention at Cone Zones Published on: July 08, 2020