| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess nighttime conditions | Low driver visibility, glare from headlights, crew difficult to see | Walk site at dusk or dark to identify hazards; use adequate supplemental lighting; ensure work zone signs and devices are reflective and visible |
| Inspect flagging equipment | Non reflective paddles, dead radio batteries, dim flashlights | Inspect STOP SLOW paddle, radios, high visibility garments, and personal lights; replace or recharge as needed |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility, struck by motorists or equipment | Wear Class 3 high visibility garments, hard hat, safety glasses, and personal lighting before entering roadway |
| Position advance warning signs | Motorists not seeing signs soon enough at night | Increase sign spacing; place signs on shoulders when possible; ensure all signs are reflective and clean |
| Choose safe flagger location | Standing in blind spots, poor reaction time, limited escape route | Stand on shoulder or designated safe area; maintain clear escape path; avoid standing near curves, hills, or obstructions |
| Establish communication with other flaggers | Miscommunication causing two directions to be released at once | Test radios before shift; use consistent hand signals; maintain visual contact when possible |
| Begin flagging operations | Drivers not stopping, distracted or speeding motorists | Keep STOP paddle fully visible; make eye contact with drivers; stay alert for unexpected vehicle movements; keep personal light visible to drivers |
| Maintain visibility at all times | Flagger blending into dark background, poor illumination on crew | Stay within illuminated areas; adjust lights to avoid glare; use additional personal lighting if needed |
| Monitor work zone and crew positioning | Crew unknowingly entering live lane or dark areas | Communicate frequently; instruct crew to stay inside protected zone; assign lookout to observe traffic and crew movement |
| Manage traffic queues | Rear end collisions, motorists pulling around stopped vehicles | Watch queue buildup; communicate with opposite flagger; release traffic only when safe and coordinated |
| Handle emergency vehicles | Delays or confusion during emergency response | Immediately stop all traffic; allow emergency vehicles to pass; notify opposite flagger; resume normal control afterward |
| End flagging operations | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Continue flagging until all signage, cones, and equipment are removed; do not leave station until roadway is fully open and safe |
Class 3 high visibility vest or jacket
Hard hat
Safety glasses (clear lenses recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Headlamp or personal lighting
Hearing protection when near 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Assess nighttime conditions | Low driver visibility, glare from headlights, crew difficult to see | Walk site at dusk or dark to identify hazards; use adequate supplemental lighting; ensure work zone signs and devices are reflective and visible |
| Inspect flagging equipment | Non reflective paddles, dead radio batteries, dim flashlights | Inspect STOP SLOW paddle, radios, high visibility garments, and personal lights; replace or recharge as needed |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility, struck by motorists or equipment | Wear Class 3 high visibility garments, hard hat, safety glasses, and personal lighting before entering roadway |
| Position advance warning signs | Motorists not seeing signs soon enough at night | Increase sign spacing; place signs on shoulders when possible; ensure all signs are reflective and clean |
| Choose safe flagger location | Standing in blind spots, poor reaction time, limited escape route | Stand on shoulder or designated safe area; maintain clear escape path; avoid standing near curves, hills, or obstructions |
| Establish communication with other flaggers | Miscommunication causing two directions to be released at once | Test radios before shift; use consistent hand signals; maintain visual contact when possible |
| Begin flagging operations | Drivers not stopping, distracted or speeding motorists | Keep STOP paddle fully visible; make eye contact with drivers; stay alert for unexpected vehicle movements; keep personal light visible to drivers |
| Maintain visibility at all times | Flagger blending into dark background, poor illumination on crew | Stay within illuminated areas; adjust lights to avoid glare; use additional personal lighting if needed |
| Monitor work zone and crew positioning | Crew unknowingly entering live lane or dark areas | Communicate frequently; instruct crew to stay inside protected zone; assign lookout to observe traffic and crew movement |
| Manage traffic queues | Rear end collisions, motorists pulling around stopped vehicles | Watch queue buildup; communicate with opposite flagger; release traffic only when safe and coordinated |
| Handle emergency vehicles | Delays or confusion during emergency response | Immediately stop all traffic; allow emergency vehicles to pass; notify opposite flagger; resume normal control afterward |
| End flagging operations | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Continue flagging until all signage, cones, and equipment are removed; do not leave station until roadway is fully open and safe |
Class 3 high visibility vest or jacket
Hard hat
Safety glasses (clear lenses recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Headlamp or personal lighting
Hearing protection when near equipment
Long pants and long sleeves