| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Review lane closure plan | Incorrect taper length, poor device placement, crew working in unsafe paths | Review MUTCD guidelines and project specific traffic control plans; conduct a tailgate briefing to confirm responsibilities |
| Assess roadway conditions | Speed of traffic, curves, hills, limited sight distance, weather impacts | Adjust taper length and sign placement for visibility; add extra devices if necessary; postpone work if visibility is unsafe |
| Inspect traffic control devices | Damaged cones, non reflective signs, malfunctioning arrow boards | Check all cones, signs, barricades, and arrow boards before deployment; replace damaged items |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility to motorists, struck by hazards | Wear Class 2 or Class 3 high visibility garments, hard hat, gloves, and safety glasses before entering the roadway |
| Deploy advance warning signs | Worker exposure in live lanes, motorists approaching at high speeds | Place signs in proper order from upstream to downstream; stay on shoulder whenever possible; use lookout to warn of traffic |
| Position work vehicles | Rear end collisions, inadequate buffer, poor visibility | Position shadow vehicle with crash attenuator if available; activate beacons; park at protective angle; maintain safe buffer distance |
| Set up taper | Workers in travel lane, cones displaced by vehicles, motorists weaving too early or too late | Place cones from upstream to downstream while facing oncoming traffic; never turn your back; use lookout for safety |
| Close the lane | Motorists ignoring closure, sudden lane shifts | Use arrow board to indicate closure; verify signs and cones are properly placed; adjust taper if motorists show confusion |
| Maintain work zone throughout operation | Devices knocked over, cone creep, motorists entering closed lane | Conduct periodic inspections; reposition or replace cones; maintain communication among crew and with flaggers if present |
| Monitor crew positioning | Crew stepping into active lane, distracted workers | Keep workers inside protected zone; assign a traffic control supervisor or lookout; enforce clear boundaries |
| Remove lane closure | Workers exposed during takedown, premature driver acceleration | Remove devices in reverse order of setup; keep shadow vehicle in place until final cone is removed; maintain lookout during all takedown steps |
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended for higher speed roads)
Hard hat
Safety glasses
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when near loud equipment
Long pants and long sleeves
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Review lane closure plan | Incorrect taper length, poor device placement, crew working in unsafe paths | Review MUTCD guidelines and project specific traffic control plans; conduct a tailgate briefing to confirm responsibilities |
| Assess roadway conditions | Speed of traffic, curves, hills, limited sight distance, weather impacts | Adjust taper length and sign placement for visibility; add extra devices if necessary; postpone work if visibility is unsafe |
| Inspect traffic control devices | Damaged cones, non reflective signs, malfunctioning arrow boards | Check all cones, signs, barricades, and arrow boards before deployment; replace damaged items |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility to motorists, struck by hazards | Wear Class 2 or Class 3 high visibility garments, hard hat, gloves, and safety glasses before entering the roadway |
| Deploy advance warning signs | Worker exposure in live lanes, motorists approaching at high speeds | Place signs in proper order from upstream to downstream; stay on shoulder whenever possible; use lookout to warn of traffic |
| Position work vehicles | Rear end collisions, inadequate buffer, poor visibility | Position shadow vehicle with crash attenuator if available; activate beacons; park at protective angle; maintain safe buffer distance |
| Set up taper | Workers in travel lane, cones displaced by vehicles, motorists weaving too early or too late | Place cones from upstream to downstream while facing oncoming traffic; never turn your back; use lookout for safety |
| Close the lane | Motorists ignoring closure, sudden lane shifts | Use arrow board to indicate closure; verify signs and cones are properly placed; adjust taper if motorists show confusion |
| Maintain work zone throughout operation | Devices knocked over, cone creep, motorists entering closed lane | Conduct periodic inspections; reposition or replace cones; maintain communication among crew and with flaggers if present |
| Monitor crew positioning | Crew stepping into active lane, distracted workers | Keep workers inside protected zone; assign a traffic control supervisor or lookout; enforce clear boundaries |
| Remove lane closure | Workers exposed during takedown, premature driver acceleration | Remove devices in reverse order of setup; keep shadow vehicle in place until final cone is removed; maintain lookout during all takedown steps |
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended for higher speed roads)
Hard hat
Safety glasses
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when near loud equipment
Long pants and long sleeves