TRAFFIC CONTROL

1. TRAFFIC CONTROL

2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSON (TCP) • Check with crew leaders or traffic control supervisors before the shift starts to find out about the day’s activities. • Check location of first aid stations and identify workers with First Aid Certification. • Identify and locate equipment working on the site and locations of work activities of the equipment. • Assist in setup of traffic control zones in accordance with regulations and standards.

3. Check hand signals used by crew to indicate work activities. • Control traffic from highly visible and safe positions. • Locate safe escape routes. • Adjust work zones as work progresses. • Respond to emergency situations and hazards, as required. • Remove traffic control devices at the end of the day or when the job is finished.

4. CHALLENGES WORKING AS A TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSON

5. Working safely in different geographic locations. • Small residential neighborhoods • Bridges • Malls • Busy commercial areas • Hospital zones • Construction sites • Various road configurations • straight stretch • hills • curves

6. Working safely under various environmental conditions. • Winter – cold stress • Summer – heat stress, insect bites • Fog • Snow • Rain • Noisy – requiring hearing protection • Dusty – requiring eye protection

7. Working safely at various times of the day. • Early in the morning • All through the night

8. TCP’s must often participate in onsite safety meetings (often called tailgate meetings because they typically occur around the back of the traffic control supervisor’s vehicle). • Traffic control plans and other safety issues are discussed. • Provide opportunities for TCP’s to ask questions and raise concerns. Do not be shy about asking questions! Your safety will depend on your understanding of work zone hazards and safety precautions. • Frequently are held at the beginning of a shift but may occur throughout the shift if the work zone is moving or if adjustments are required to the work zone setup.

9. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

10. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job is required. It is your responsibility to wear appropriate clothing on the job that will provide you with general protection and comfort. For most worksites, long pants and a shirt with sleeves will provide adequate protection. Never wear clothing that will distract motorists.

11. In addition to dressing for the weather you are always required to wear: • Safety footwear • Safety headgear • Retro-reflective vest • Retro-reflective wrist bands You may also be required to wear hearing, eye, or respiratory protection depending on worksite conditions.

12. Workers are usually required to provide the following equipment: • Clothing required for protection against natural elements • Safety footwear and general purpose work gloves • Safety headgear

13. SAFETY FOOTWEAR Safety-toed footwear with ankle support must be worn. (No running shoes) If there is a hazard of hot material falling into your footwear, always wear long pants with cuffs outside the footwear. SAFETY HEADGEAR Wear approved safety headgear that meets or exceeds the approved headgear standards and fits properly and comfortably. Do not write on, paint, or decorate your headgear with stickers as glues and paints may deteriorate the plastic and detract from the warning color. In cold weather, an insert can be used to keep warm.

14. RETRO-REFLECTIVE VEST • Must be fluorescent orange with at least one horizontal retro-reflective strip around the waist. • Must meet or exceed approved standards for high visibility garments. • All vests will have two vertical retro-reflective strips on each side of the front and an “X” on the back. • A battery-operated flashing-light vest can be worn for additional safety in situations where visibility is extremely poor.

15. EAR PROTECTION • Choose a style of ear protection that you can wear comfortably that meets or exceeds recognized standards. • Earplugs may be more comfortable in hot weather. They should be pliable, fit each ear tightly and be disposable or easy to clean. • Earmuffs may be required in cold weather. • In high noise situations both earplugs and earmuffs may be required. • Both hearing protection and audiometric hearing tests should be provided by the employer.

16. EYE PROTECTION • Regular prescription glasses or sunglasses will not provide adequate protection. • Wear shatterproof approved safety glasses to protect eyes in areas where there is the danger of flying objects and/or excessive dust levels. (Excessive dust concentrations may irritate contact lenses.). • Choose a style and type of eye protection that is comfortable and applicable to the type of worksite.

17. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION • Necessary where there is an unacceptable level of contamination from dust, fumes, or other pollutants. • High dust level – wear an approved particle mask • Extreme dust level – wear a respirator • Fumes or chemical pollution – wear a cartridge style mask • It is the employer’s responsibility to provide equipment. • A tight face seal usually requires a clean shaven face. • Consult your supervisor or employer if you are unsure about what type of protection to use.

18. MAINTAINING YOUR PPE • Keep footwear waterproofed and clean to prevent deterioration of the leather. • Keep earplugs clean and stored in their protective case when not in use. Replace them if they are disposable or become damaged. • Keep earmuffs clean and free from damage. • Store protective glasses in a case, when not is use, to prevent damage. Keep them clean at all times.

19. Store retro-reflective vests and accessories carefully when not in use. Check before use for cleanliness and damaged or missing retro-reflective strips. Check batteries for flashing type vests. • Keep headgear clean. Check for damage and the expire date. Replace when required. • Check headgear regularly by flexing it to see if it has become brittle due to sun exposure and/or other weather conditions. • Check the suspension inside headgear and replace it annually or sooner if there is evidence of damage or extreme wear.

20. Maintain a kit containing: • water bottle • lip balm • insect repellant • sunscreen • band-aids • antiseptic cream • sunglasses • spare socks • rain gear • spare gloves • washcloth • chin strap for safety headgear • whistle • air horn • pen and notebook • masking tape

21. USING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES Traffic control equipment is used to regulate, warn, and guide motorists and pedestrians. Traffic control can be achieved by the use of permanently installed devices. In work zones, traffic control is achieved by the use of temporary equipment and TCP’s.

22. PERSONAL TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT Traffic Control Paddles - used to direct traffic. Flashlights with Red Signaling Wands (night use and in poor visibility) – used to direct traffic Communication Devices – audible communication such as a whistle to get the attention of a machine operator or motorist. Two-way radio may be required to communicate with other TCP’s. Recording Materials – Pen/Pencil and a small book like a diary or notebook that can be used to record important information, i.e., license plate number.

23. MAINTAINING PERSONAL CONTROL EQUIPMENT Before beginning your shift check: • traffic control paddle for cleanliness and damage. • flashlight for operation and replace batteries if necessary (always carry spare batteries). • signaling wand for damage and replace if necessary. • audible devices for operation (always carry spare batteries for radio). • for paper and pen/pencils for record-keeping.

24. HELPFUL HINT: A strip of masking tape can be attached to a traffic control paddle on which to write a temporary note in the event paper and pencil are not readily available. Information like license number or vehicle type can then be transferred to a permanent record later.

25. TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT Signs – permanent ones already in place or temporary signs used for specific control situations. All signs must be reflectorized or illuminated. Regulatory Signs – traffic sign that advises motorists or pedestrians that certain actions are required of them. Warning Signs – warns motorists that conditions on or adjacent to a highway are potentially hazardous. Flags – red or orange flags must be securely attached to all signs warning of workers on the road.

26. Channelizing Devices – used to guide motorists and pedestrians safely away from, around, or through the work zone; may also be used to separate traffic traveling in opposite directions. • Flexible drums • Cones and tubular markers • Temporary delineator posts • Barricades • Barriers

27. Lighting Devices – draw attention to traffic control devices and work vehicles. • Flashing yellow warning lights • Flashing vehicle lights • Steady burning warning lights • Flashing arrow boards • Floodlights

28. Buffer Vehicles – equipped with appropriate warning devices providing protection for workers Shadow Vehicles – vehicles with an appropriate sign on the rear used as an advanced warning device in moving operations. High Level Warning Devices – used mostly in areas where normal advance warning distances are not available or where regularly mounted temporary signs might be concealed by parked vehicles.

29. MAINTAINING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

30. Devices must be constantly checked and maintained to provide good visibility and perform the functions for which they are designed. • Check carefully for damage and condition. Avoid the use of faded or marred retro-reflective surfaces. • Examine flashing and rotating lights for brightness and operation. • When the job is completed, control devices should be checked to make sure they are in good condition before being put into storage so they will be in good repair for the next job.

31. The work zone traffic control supervisor or designate should ensure that the control devices are inspected at regular intervals for continued relevance and to make sure they have not been hit, displaced, damaged, or are becoming worn or deteriorating in any way. This includes checking flashing lights and rotating beacons for brightness and operation. The inspection interval should be frequent enough that safety of the workplace is maintained.

32. USING AND INTERPRETING SIGNALS A TCP must: • Be able to indicate to workers, equipment operators, pedestrians and other TCP’s what they have to do. • Be able to signal quickly and accurately with clarity and without confusion. • Gain the other person’s attention by using: • Traffic control paddles • Whistles • Flashlights and signaling wands • Hand signals • Radios

33. GENERAL INFORMATION All of these devices may be used separately or together to allow you to convey instructions to another person. Be aware that the sound of a whistle may be difficult to hear in a very noisy work zone. A good method of determining whether or not you have someone’s attention is to make eye contact. Their reaction or non-reaction will let you know if they have received your signal.

34. POSITIONING • Position yourself in an area that provides maximum visibility AND a safe escape route. • Positioning is important especially on curves and hills. • For safety there may need to be more than one TCP. • If a TCP cannot be positioned so there will be no interference with other traffic control devices (stop signs, traffic signals) it may be necessary to \cover those signals in order to avoid confusion.

35. To direct traffic: • Place yourself in a safe position usually on the shoulder out of the way of vehicles. • Display the paddle with the STOP side visible to the first oncoming vehicle. • As the vehicle approaches, and the driver acknowledges you by making eye contact, move out onto the traveled part of the road on the driver’s side of the traffic that you are controlling.

36. REMAINING ON DUTY A TCP must remain at his/her assigned traffic control station until relieved by another TCP or the traffic control supervisor. SIGNALING OTHER TCP’s When two or more TCP’s are working as a team, one should be responsible for traffic coordination. That person will issue required signals for change of traffic flow. Responsibility for co-ordinating traffic flow can be switched from TCP to TCP throughout the day depending on which one has the best visibility.

37. CONTROLLING VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS

38. TCP’s are present at work zones: • to control traffic • to provide for safe passage of equipment and workers • to allow for work to proceed as smoothly as possible. To perform these functions: • TCP’s must be visible to the traffic for a sufficient distance to allow them to signal motorists and the required response before traffic enters the work area.

39. PROESSIONAL CONDUCT • TCP’s should be courteous but firm with motorists, pedestrians and workers. • TCP’s should have a sense of responsibility for the safety of the work crew and the general public. • To properly direct traffic, TCP’s should stand facing the traffic under their control, in a position where they can easily be seen. • TCP’s should use standard signals to indicate what actions they want the motorist, pedestrian or equipment operator to perform.

40. TRAFFIC CONTROL VIOLATIONS It is important to keep accurate records of incidents while controlling traffic to provide information to the police. In order of importance the TCP should note: • License plate number • Province or state of origin • Make and color of vehicle • Description of the driver • Time of day during which incident occurred • Names and telephone numbers of witnesses

41. DANGEROUS GOODS AND OTHER HAZARDS

42. HAZARDOUS INCIDENTS • Transportation of dangerous goods • Hazardous spills • Broken gas lines and mains • Broken sewer lines and water mains • Downed or broken power lines

43. If a hazardous spill occurs around the work zone: 1. Do not take undue risks: • Do not approach or investigate until the hazard and/or material has been identified. • Do not touch, taste or smell material if it has not been identified. • Remain upwind and uphill of spill if possible.

44. Direct traffic around the spill if possible. • Information to gather when reporting a hazardous spill: • Type of terrain (include ditch, creek, river, lake, etc.) • Type of dangerous goods label and placard, if visible. 4. Notify your traffic control supervisor.

45. BROKEN GAS LINES AND MAINS • Very hazardous because the pressure of the gas could cause a widespread explosion. • When controlling traffic, choose a position further back from the work area so traffic can be stopped if the line breaks. • Look for an alternate emergency route that will allow escape from the broken gas line. • Stop all traffic and make sure that workers and motorists stay well back from the area.

46. BROKEN SEWER LINES The effluent is possibly toxic. Stay away from the area and wait for directions from the traffic control supervisor or crew foreman. BROKEN WATER MAIN May undermine the road structure. Important to communicate with the crew to see if there are any hazards they encountered in their work.

47. DOWNED OR BROKEN POWER LINES • At the beginning of each shift, note any power lines that may run through or close to the worksite. • Be aware, a raised bucket from an excavator or the raised box of a dump truck can bring down power lines. • If this occurs, stop traffic immediately and keep workers and motorists away from the area. • The traffic control supervisor or the crew foreman should call the local electrical utility for assistance.