Work Zone Safety

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Mike Marr Industrial Safety Consultant

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ CompensationDivision of Safety & Hygiene

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Agenda

Manuals/Codes/Statistics Setup & Removal of Work ZonesDevices and LocationsDuration of WorkMaintenance of the Work ZoneFlagging ProceduresQuestions

You Never Know!

MILES PER HOUR & STOP TIME30 MPH = 44 Feet per Second

50 MPH = 73 Feet per Second

60 MPH = 88 Feet per Second

70 MPH = 103 Feet per Second

100 MPH = 146 Feet per Second

PERCEPTION / REACTION TIME

Mental Process

1. Sensation … something in the road!2. Perception/recognition … recognize, identify!3. Situational awareness … speed, time to impact,

consequence, escape route!4. Response selection … decide what to do!

Elapsed time; 1.5 to >2.5 seconds

PERCEPTION / REACTION TIME

Average Movement Time Foot to brake … 0.2 secondDevice Response TimeBraking begins … 0.1 second

Total elapsed time (best case) before vehicle begins slowing... 1.8 seconds

PERCEPTION / REACTION TIME@ 55 mph (80.67 ft/s) + Stopping Distance

Time before braking begins 1.8 sec.(1.5 + 0.3) x 80.67 ft/s =

Distance Traveled 145.1 ft.+

Stopping Distance @ 134.4 ft.

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED279.5 ft

PERCEPTION-REACTION TIME

Industry Standard – 2.5 seconds

Older Driver - > 2.5 ~ 3.0 seconds

Unexpected Event = > 2 to 3 times

Manuals

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FHWA - Part 6, MUTCDOHIO - MUTCDOSHA - Subpart GODOT - Plans

ODOT

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PERRP:

PERRP’s Mission:The role and mission of PERRP is to ensure public employees in Ohio

have safe and healthy working conditions. Public employers must furnish to each public employee a workplace free from recognized

hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This fundamental requirement is the foundation of the Public

Employment Risk Reduction Act (the Act) which is also referred to as House Bill (HB) 308 and was enacted 1992.

Primary Reasons for Enforcing the Manual

Improve worker safety Work zones are one of the

primary locations of public employee fatalities

Minimize delay for motorists

FHWA

Part 6 Organization Section 6A General Information Section 6B Fundamental Principals Section 6C TTC* Elements Section 6D Pedestrian and Worker Safety Section 6E Flagger Control Section 6F TTC Zone Devices Section 6G TTC Zone Activities Section 6H Typical Applications Section 6I Incident Management

FHWA

Four Little Words…

Should (Voluntary) Shall (Mandatory) Must (Mandatory) May (Voluntary) If a standard has a mandatory (shall or must)

provision, then there are no options. If a standard has a voluntary provision (should or

may) then the employer must consider those provisions to be minimum expectations, however, they can modify them to fit their circumstances.

Ohio Fatalities in Motor VehicleTraffic Crashes and Work Zones

Highway Crashes WZ Crashes Total

2008 1,178 13 1,191

2009 1,014 8 1,022

2010 1,069 11 1,080

2011 1,001 16 1,017

2012 1,006 17 1,123

2013 991 Not available 186 people died in vehicle crashes in Ohio work zones in the eleven-year

period from 2002 to 2012 (the most recent information available).

Importance of ProtectionEffective “Temporary Traffic Control" saves

lives… Worker fatalities in Ohio workzones1

2014 – 6 2013 – 3 2012 – 3

Worker fatalities nationally in workzones1

2014 – 116 2013 – 105 2012 – 133

Source: workzonesafety.org

According to ODOT (2003 to 2012):•7 ODOT employees have been killed in construction zones in Ohio in the last decade from 2003 to 2012

•56,945 vehicle crashes occurred in Ohio work zones in that same 10-year period

•20,590 vehicle crashes occurred in Ohio work zones when workers were present

•19,988 of the total vehicle crashes were rear end collisions

The top three causes of work zone crashes are:Following too closelyFailure to controlImproper lane changes

•Excessive speed has directly resulted in more than 1,500 work zone crashes since 2003

•Across the nation, you are more likely to be injured or killed in a work zone on a dry and sunny August afternoon than any other time of year

What Is a Temporary Traffic Control Zone?A TTC zone may include:o Work zoneo Roadway incidento Special event

FHWA

FHWA

Parts of a Traffic Control Zone

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1. Advance Warning Area

2. Transition Area

3. Buffer Area

4. Work Area

5. Termination Area

Parts of a Traffic Control Zone

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Advance Warning Area

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Regulatory Signs

Warning Signs

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Advance Warning Area

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Advance Warning Signs

•Warning

•Information

•Communication

•Regulatory

Advance Warning Area

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Sign Spacing Chart

Low Speed < 45 M.P.H.High Speed > 45 M.P.H

Portable Changeable Message Signs

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Changeable Message Signs

Advance Warning Area

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Transition AreaDrums & Cones

36” lit/reflective drums 28” & 42” reflective cones.

Drums and Cones Standard requires uniformity for color of

all drums

If drums, cones, or tubular markers are used to channelize pedestrians, they shall be located such that there are no gaps between the bases of the devices, in order to create a continuous bottom.

The height of each individual drum, cone, or tubular marker shall be no less than (36 in) to be detectable to users of long lanes.

Cones

Cones shall be: Predominantly orange Made of a material that can be struck without causing

damage to the impacting vehicle. For daytime and low speed roadways, cones shall be

not less than 18 in in height. When cones are used on freeways and other high-speed

highways or at night on all highways, or when more conspicuous guidance is needed, cones shall be a minimum of (28 in) in height.

For nighttime use, cones shall be retro-reflectorized or equipped with lighting devices for maximum visibility.

Device Spacing Chart

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Flashing Arrow PanelsStrongly recommend solid panels, not sequential.

Transition Area

Arrow Boards

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48” x 24” - Type A -45 MPH & below 60” x 30” -Type B -45 MPH & below 96” x 48” -Type C -45 MPH & above

NEVER use an arrow board in a two lane, one way closure – use a Flagger!

Buffer Space

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Speed (mph) Length (feet)20 3525 5530 8535 12040 17045 22050 28055 33560 41565 485

Buffer Space(Longitudinal)

Work Zone Examples:

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Example of 25 MPHTraffic Control Zone

-Signs 100’ apart

-Transition 105’

-6 cones minimum

-Cone spacing 20’ along taper and 25’ after taper

-Buffer space 55’

Example of 35 MPHTraffic Control Zone

-Signs 100’ apart

-Transition 205’

-11 cones minimum

-Cone spacing 20’ along taper and 35’ after taper

-Buffer space 120’

Example of 45 MPH Traffic Control Zone

-Signs 350’ apart

-Transition 450’

- 12 cones minimum

-Cone spacing 40’ along taper and 45’ after taper

-Buffer space 220’

Termination Area

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Optional but strongly recommended.Well worth the short additional time

that it takes to install.Why wouldn’t you get your crews into

this simple, wise habit?

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How to install and remove a single lane closure On a four lane road way.

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

40 Work Area

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

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Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

42 Advance Warning signs

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

43 Advance Warning Signs

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

44 Arrow Board and Taper

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

45 Complete

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

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Removal of the lane closure Is done in the exact opposite order

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure Removal

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Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

48 Advance Warning Signs

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

49 Work Area

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

Freeway Setup50

Work Zone Safety

Single Lane Closure

Lane Shift

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Devices

Type III Barricades

PortableGates

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Plastic FenceCaution Tape Safety VestHard HatsTemporary Pavement Tape Stop and Slow Paddles

Devices

Additional Traffic Control Devices

Duration Of Work

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Long-term Intermediate-termShort-termMobile

Duration of Work

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Short Term:

0 – 15 minutes. Truck emergency flashers and beacon lights.

15 – 60 minutes. Truck emergency flashers, beacon lights, correct size and amount of cones placed around work zone and a minimum of one correctly placed advanced warning sign.

Correct arrow board strongly recommended -consider the location, crew/public safety, traffic volume, liability etc….

Duration of Work

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Intermediate Term:

60 minutes – 3 days Truck emergency flashers, beacon lights,

correct size and amount of cones placed around the work zone and all correctly placed advanced warning signs on all affected streets.

Correct arrow board as required.

Duration of Work

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Long Term:

Beyond 3 days. Permanently mounted, correct advanced

warning signs on all affected streets. Truck emergency flashers, beacon lights,

correct size and amount of cones placed around the work zone.

Correct arrow board as required.

WORK DURATION

Five Categories:

Long-Term Stationary

Intermediate-term Stationary

Short-term Stationary

Short Duration

Mobile

> 3 days

> 12 hrs to 3 daysincludes overnight

1 hr to 12 hrs

< 1 hr

moves intermittently with stop times< 15 minutes or moves continuously

Mobile Work

Often involve frequent short stops for activities

Such as litter cleanup, pothole patching, or utility operations, and are similar to short-duration operations

NCOSHA

They Do Help!

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Mobile Work

o TTC zones may include:• Warning signs, high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights on a vehicle, flags, and/or channelizing devices

• Flaggers

• A shadow vehicle equipped with an arrow panel or a sign following the work vehicle

• Appropriately colored and marked vehicles with signs, flags, high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights, truck-mounted attenuators, and arrow panels or portable changeable message signs may follow a train of moving work vehicles

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Maintenance of a Work Zone

Work Zone Safety

•Cover or remove signs when not in use!

•Clean all traffic control equipment.

•Drive the zone after set up and through out the day -consider who may be coming through your set up at any time!

•Recognizing problems: skid marks, auto parts, damaged traffic control devices.

Always use Common Sense and Good Judgment!

All workers should be trained on:Working safely adjacent to vehicular trafficWork zone traffic control techniquesDevice Usage Safety devices Traffic control devices

Placement of traffic control devicesRelevant OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1926.21, Safety

Training and Education

Worker Safety Consideration - Training

Flagger Apparel

Section 6E.02 High-Visibility Safety Apparel

o Apparel background (outer) material color shall be either…• fluorescent orange-red, or• fluorescent yellow-green as defined in the standard.

o The retro-reflective material shall be either orange, yellow, white, silver, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors.

65ATSSA for US DOT FHA grant DTFH61-06-G-00004

Conspicuity Class 2Conspicuity level for use in occupational activities where risk levels exceeding those in Class 1, such as where:

1. Greater visibility is desired during inclement weather conditions;2. Complex backgrounds are present;3. Employees are performing tasks which divert attention from

approaching vehicle traffic4. Vehicle or moving equipment speeds exceed 25 mph; or5. Work activities take place in or near vehicle traffic.

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Conspicuity Class 3where risks exceed those in Class 2

1. Workers exposed to traffic > 50 mph;2. Pedestrian worker & vehicle operator with task loads placing

themselves in danger;3. The wearer must be conspicuous through range of motion at a

minimum distance of 1280 feet & be identifiable as a person.

Flagging

Mandatory 18” x 18” minimum Stop/Slow

Paddle with a minimum 7’ handle.

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FlaggerStandard: A flagger shall be a person who provides temporary

traffic control. For daytime work, the flagger's vest, shirt, or jacket

shall be either orange, yellow, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors.

For nighttime work, similar outside garments shall be retro-reflective.

Flagger stations shall be located far enough in advance of the work space so that approaching road users will have sufficient distance to stop before entering the work space.

Flags are only for emergency use.

Flagger Paddles The STOP/SLOW paddle shall have an octagonal

shape on a rigid handle. STOP/SLOW paddles shall be at least 18’’wide with

letters at least 6’’high and should be fabricated from light semi-rigid material.

Background of the STOP face shall be red with white letters and border.

The Background of the SLOW face shall be orange with black letters and border.

When used at night, the STOP/SLOW paddle shall be retro-reflectorized.

Flagger ProceduresThe following methods of signaling with paddles shall be

used:

To stop road users, the flagger shall face road users and aim the STOP paddle face toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body.

To direct stopped road users to proceed, the flagger shall face road users with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body.

To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall face road users with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body.

Pedestrians

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Public safety.

You & the crew’s safety.

Liability issues!

Correctly close sidewalks when needed.

Work Zone Safety

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Record KeepingDetailed Accident ReportsPicturesSketchesAny witness information and specific

contacts

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Summary

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Effective Temporary Traffic Control serves to:

Warn InformGuideRegulate

Questions?

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Work Zone Safety