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Pete Coughlan, P.E. For New England OSHA Training Institute Education Center at

Work Zone Traffic Control. Pete Coughlan, P.E. For New England OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Keene State College, March 2006. What is a “Temporary Traffic Control Zone”.

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Pete Coughlan, P.E. For New England OSHA Training Institute Education Center at

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  1. Work Zone Traffic Control Pete Coughlan, P.E. For New England OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Keene State College, March 2006.

  2. What is a“Temporary Traffic Control Zone” “…an area of a highway where road user conditions are changed because of a work zone or incident by the use of temporary traffic control devices, flaggers, uniformed law enforcement officers, or other authorized personnel.” Examples: construction, maintenance, or utility work activities, vehicle crash, emergency response, etc

  3. Why are work zones such a “big deal”

  4. Part of FHWA Strategic Plan National Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse One of FHWA’s “vital few” goals OSHA regs Fatalities & crashes increasing Construction spending is increasing Liability & lawsuits

  5. WZ stats

  6. National Statistics Source: National Work Zone Clearinghouse: http://wzsafety.tamu.edu

  7. NH Statistics Work Zone Crashes Year # Crashes # Injuries # Fatalities 1998 1999 0 2000 1 2001 0 2002 2 2003 1 2004 3

  8. Traffic Control is important because: • people die • people are injured • Money is lost • You and your company can be sued

  9. Why crashes?????? Worksites create potential hazards because they: • Confront motorists with unknown conditions • Create hazards • Divert attention from driving • Expose workers

  10. Goals Some information on: your liability what is the MUTCD proper devices “parts” of a work zone flagger do’s & don’ts

  11. Class Example Two lane road – 20 ft pavement Little to no usable shoulder 35 mph Several cars/minute each direction Great sight distance each way Work area active for 4 hrs

  12. Why is worker training so critical? What’s wrong with this picture?

  13. Work Zone Traffic Control Tort Liability

  14. Tort Liability Your legal exposure to being sued and being brought into court to recover MONEY for acts of negligence by individuals, gov’t agencies, corporations, etc.

  15. “Have YOU been injured in an accident lately……?” Sound familiar?

  16. Recent cases haveinvolved:*too hot coffee*slippery broccoli*outhouse tipping*lightning on golf course*people suing God*people suing themselves*“loss” of companionship, sex *traffic accidents*lots of work zones*whatever !!

  17. JOINT NEGLIGENCEusually found between all parties (contractor, highway department, utility, etc)

  18. It means thatyour insurance companyhandles MANY claims and relies HEAVILY on field personnel for details………many weeks or months after the incident

  19. Tips to fight claims • take (good) photos ASAP of entire WZ • make detailed diary notes • get names of ALL flaggers, drivers, witnesses, plate #’s….. • get statements Smallest detail could save BIG $$$$$

  20. Heavy reliance on the concept of “positive guidance” was traffic control installed to provide clear direction to ALL drivers?

  21. M.U.T.C.D.Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices THE standard first edition in 1927 Millenium Edition published in late 2000 2003 Edition published Nov. 2003

  22. MUTCDMillenium EditionDecember, 2000(replaces the 1993 Edition w/ revisions) Standards = “shall” Guidance = “should” Options = “may”

  23. M.U.T.C.D. 2003 Edition provides much more detail on: “accessibility” (ADA) in all work zones crashworthiness of all devices new safety apparel standards control of traffic through “incident” areas (i.e. police, fire, spills, disasters, etc)

  24. MUTCD“2003 Edition”December, 2003(replaces the Millenium Edition of 2000) Many changes & new additions

  25. MUTCD“2003 Edition” Available at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/ Hard copies are available at: American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) www.atssa.com 800-272-8772

  26. Worker Considerations** key elements ** Training – all workers should be trained Worker Clothing – all workers should wear hi-vis. safety apparel meeting ANSI 107-1999 Temp. traffic barriers– depends on type and length of work, traffic volume & speed, time of day, type of road…… Speed reduction– flaggers, lane restrictions, police, etc. should be considered

  27. M.U.T.C.D. Section 1A.02 “This Manual …is for all streets and highways open to public travel regardless of type or class or the public agency having jurisdiction.”

  28. MUTCDpg 1A.07 Federal law states that “traffic control devices on all streets and highways open to public travel shall be in substantial conformance with standards issued or endorsed by FHWA.”

  29. M.U.T.C.D. Section 1A.08 “when the public agency…having jurisdiction over a street has granted proper authority, others such as contractors and public utilities shall be permitted to install temporary traffic control devices in temporary traffic control zones…and those devices shall conform with…this Manual

  30. Sign Colors Yellow - General Warning Red - Prohibition (regulatory) Blue - Motorist Services Guidance Green - Direction Brown - Recreational/Cultural Interest Orange - Construction/Maintenance White - Regulatory FYG – Pedestrian/bike/school Warning

  31. Fundamentals of Traffic Control • The ABCs: • Provide advance warning • Be visible and alert • Be in control Apply them before work begins!!

  32. Advance Warningis the Key! • To let motorists and pedestrians know you are working near the roadway • To let them know that something unusual is going on Communication!

  33. Be Visible and Alert • Wear bright garments • Expect the unexpected

  34. Control Procedures are Critical! • Choose the proper traffic control techniques • Use standard traffic control procedures • Standard devices • Standard set-ups • Adjust for field conditions

  35. Why areStandards Important?

  36. Uniformity Through Standardization Promotes: • Recognition and understanding • Consistent interpretation • More rapid driver response • Motorists' respect

  37. How do work zones and OSHA relate??

  38. In NH, OSHA regs are enforced by Federal OSHA – their jurisdiction is private agencies (contractors, private utilities, etc.)

  39. Federal OSHA cites violations depending on seriousness:penalty ranges= $1,500 to $70,000 (with some possible reductions due to size of company, good faith efforts, and past history)Serious violation = $1,500 to $5,000Willful violation = up to $70,000

  40. Federal OSHA Recommendations1) Become aware of the rules and the MUTCD work zone standards,2)“I didn’t know about them” is NOT an excuse anymore!3) We are very serious about work zones now and will enforce the rules

  41. OSHA Subpart GFed’l Register– 9/12/02 As of 12/11/2002, this reg. adopts the Millenium edition of the MUTCD Many updates related to: Signaling by flaggers, and the use of flaggers, including warning garments, All traffic signs or devices Barricades Crashworthiness

  42. 1926.21(b)(2) Safety Training “The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.” MUTCD Millen.Reference Section 6D.02 Worker Considerations Section 6E.01 Qualifications for Flaggers.

  43. 1926.28(a) Personal Protective Equipment The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees. MUTCD Millen.Reference Section 6D.02 Worker Considerations Section 6E.02 High-Visibility Clothing

  44. 1926.200(a) Accident prevention signs General. Signs and symbols…. shall be visible at all times when work is being performed, and shall be removed or covered promptly when the hazards no longer exist. MUTCD Millen. Reference Section 1A.04 Placement and Operation of Traffic Control Devices. Section 1A.08 Authority for Placement of Traffic Control Devices Section 6F.29 Flagger Sign (W20-7, W20-7a)

  45. 1926.200(g)(1) Traffic Signs Construction areas shall be posted with legible traffic signs at points of hazard. MUTCD Millen. Reference Section 1A.04 Placement and Operation of Traffic Control Devices Section 1A.08 Authority for Placement of Traffic Control Devices Section 6F.04 Sign Maintenance

  46. 1926.200(g)(2)Traffic Signs All traffic control signs or devices used for protection of construction workers shall conform to Part VI of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Millennium Edition, December 2000, FHWA……. MUTCD Millen. Reference

  47. MUTCD Millen. Reference • Section 1A.03 Design of Traffic Control Devices • Section 1A.07 Responsibility for Traffic Control Devices • Section 1A.08 Authority for Placement of Traffic Control Devices • Section 1A.10 Interpretations, Experimentations, and Changes. • Section 1A.12 Color Code • Section 6F.01 Types of Devices • Section 6F.03 Sign Placement

  48. 1926.201(a) Flaggers Signaling by flaggers and the use of flaggers, including warning garments worn by flaggers shall conform to Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Millennium Edition, December 2000, FHWA………... MUTCD 2000 Reference Section 6E.01 Qualifications for Flaggers Section 6E.02 High-Visibility Clothing Section 6E.03 Hand-Signaling Devices Section 6E.04 Flagger Procedures Section 6E.05 Flagger Stations..

  49. Traffic Control Devices Signs Channelization Devices Lighting Devices Pavement Markings

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