Keep Alert For Work Zones- Save A Life

Let’s start with some statistics: During peak construction season, approximately 20% of our nation’s highway system is under construction with more than 3,000 work zones. Approximately 12 billion vehicle miles of travel a year will be through active work zones. Motorists can expect to encounter an active work zone 1 out of every 100 miles driven on the nation’s highway system. More than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of crashes in work zones. One work zone fatality every 8 hours – 3 per day. One work zone injury every 9 minutes – 160 per day!!

You can see why it is important that roadway workers understand how to properly design and implement a Traffic Work Zone Plan. The OSHA standards that regulate work in traffic are found in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart G. It includes basic information on traffic signs and controls to keep worker safe and regulate highway safety. OSHA references the "MUTCD" as a compliance guide to ensure worker safety under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart G. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets and highways. It sets minimum standards, provides guidance, and ensures uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation.

The MUTCD is a dynamic document that changes with time to address contemporary safety and operational issues. It includes five (5) basic considerations for traffic control devices:

1. Fulfill a specific need

2. Command attention

3. Convey a clear and simple meaning

4. Command respect of the road user, and;

5. Give adequate time for proper response.

By following the specifications in the MUTCD a road user will have all the opportunity to be warned of and take the necessary action to avoid collision in a work zone.

All that aside, it is equally important that the public understand and follow the controls and signs in place when encountering a work zone. All of the information and training in the world cannot keep a highway worker from injury or death if a driver ignores or subverts the controls.

The following is a NYS Work Zone Safety page that can help you educate and understand the dangers that work zones present and how traffic control plans reduce the potential for incident on our public highways: https://www.ny.gov/programs/work-zone-safety-awareness