Proper Work Zone Placement of Signs and Equipment
You have all of your signs and flagging equipment ready to go and prepped for the next job. Great! But do you know exactly where to safely place them in the work zone? The placement of your signs is just as important as the visibility and cleanliness of your equipment. Drivers perceive distances differently than a flagger does on the ground, and will react to signs and flagging equipment at a different tempo than someone on foot. Traffic should be safely guided in and around work zones by strategically placed equipment, such as signs, cones, barrels, and barriers. As OHSA reports:
“Standard highway signs for information, speed limits, and work zones will assist drivers in identifying, in designated traffic paths, such directives as: EVACUATION ROUTE; DO NOT ENTER; REDUCED SPEED AHEAD; ROAD CLOSED; and NO OUTLET. Using standard highway signs for internal construction worksite traffic control will assist workers in recognizing the route they are to use at the construction site.”
Keep in mind that rules and regulations could differ between states. Check your local Flagging and Road sign laws, while keeping the following in mind:
Give Advanced Warning
Drivers should be given proper warning in advance before nearing a work-zone, no matter what the indicated speed. First and foremost, make sure that signs are placed well before the work-zone area, stating that there is a flagger ahead. This certifies that the driver has had enough warning before entering the work zone, ensuring both their safety, and yours.
Flaggers should use STOP/SLOW paddles while in this work zone. The STOP sign should be octagonal with a red background and white letters and border. The SLOW sign should be the same shape (usually on the back of the STOP sign), with an orange background and black letters and border.
Spread Signs and Equipment Out depending on the Speed Limit
All people involved in the work zone must be able to see and clearly read and understand all signs posted, including motorists, workers, and pedestrians. Most work zone areas are divided up into four consecutive sections: the advanced warning area, the transition area, the activity area, and the termination area. These are defined in the following ways:
Advance Warning Area: The advance warning area is the section of highway where road users are informed about the upcoming work zone or incident area.
Transition Area: The transition area is that section of highway where road users are redirected out of their normal path. Transition areas usually involve strategic use of tapers.
Activity Area: The activity area is the section of the highway where the work activity takes place. It is comprised of the work space, the traffic space, and the buffer space.
Termination Area: The area where the work activity ends and traffic resumes at normal speed.
As a rule of thumb, the distance between cones or barrels should not be narrowed to less than 1 times the speed limit in miles per hour. The separation of devices on a tangent should not exceed a distance of 2 times the speed limit (OSHA). You can learn more about specific distancing and spacing of signs depending on the speed zone you are working on with this handy OSHA reference guide.
When Not in Use, Haul Equipment Away or Cover It Up
There is nothing more confusing to a driver than seeing construction work warning signs when there is no construction going on at that moment in the area. On highways, drivers have limited time to react to outside stimuli. However, (as we stated above!) this should not be the case with your on-site road work signs.
This is why removing signs right after you have finished the job is so important. For some drivers, if they see signs but do not see any immediate work in the area ahead of them, they will not slow down. A more reactive driver may instantly slow up and attempt to follow the directions of the signs. The mix of fast and slow drivers can cause inconsistent speeds on the highway, leading to a much greater chance of causing an accident.
If your work is suspended for a short period of time and you have to leave the signs on site, cover them up with a black tarp that completely covers the signs to limit distractions. Otherwise, once the job is done, the signs should be removed immediately.
Keep It Clean
And last, keep those signs clean! Dirty or damaged signs that are not easy to read can confuse motorists and cause preventable accidents. All signs should be free of obstructions, excessive dents, fading, and tears. If you have equipment that is damaged, replace it immediately with new or undamaged equipment. The last thing you want is for drivers to not understand what you are trying to communicate, especially because the sign in question is not visible!
