Common Misunderstandings of Traffic Safety in Highway Construction

Common Misunderstandings of Traffic Safety in Highway Construction

There is a lot of information in the road construction industry. From rules and standard procedures to equipment basics and personal protection guidelines, every piece of knowledge is key to performing your duties and staying safe. However, with so many things to keep in mind, certain facts can easily be twisted and become potentially dangerous rumors. These are some common myths in highway construction traffic safety and what makes each of them false.

Highest safety risk in highway work areas

One of the most common beliefs among new road workers is that the most dangerous jobs are those that take place on the highway. This is because they often have to deal with controlled flow that naturally travels at higher speeds. However, drivers and passengers are actually at higher risk than workers in these areas. In fact, only 15% of highway traffic fatalities involve workers, and the majority of these accidents are due to driver negligence.

Management is solely responsible for workplace safety

While it is the responsibility of management to provide their workers with the proper training, tools and procedures to help them stay safe, it is also up to the workers to use these tools. This makes safety something everyone must be aware of, not just those it directly affects. Even workers and management are required to receive the same level of safety training so that everyone can do their jobs knowingly.

Accidents are only part of the road construction profession

While road construction sites are more risky than many other places, all road accidents can be avoided if the right precautions are taken. This means properly placing building traffic cones and barriers, posting necessary signs, and having a flag bearer on duty directing traffic at all times. By taking these measures, site accident rates have dropped exponentially and workers are generally safer. Refer to state and provincial traffic management plans to ensure you are following the right equipment and workers required on the job site.

Safety training should only be done at the time of hiring

Another common misconception about highway construction traffic safety is that workers only need to be trained when they are first hired. However, this is inherently wrong because OSHA safety regulations continue to evolve as we learn more about the dangers posed by the road construction profession. In fact, workers are often retrained as safety regulations change. Management was even asked to hold a safety meeting to keep the topic open.