Work Area Protection Work Area Protection Company Harlan McPhee North McPhee South Powerhawke Ravex Richards Company Using the Form Job Name * Job Name and/or Number Date * Work Area Protection This week, April 21-25, is National Work Zone Awareness Week. A recent study showed that drivers text-messaging while behind the wheel spend only one of every ten seconds watching the road, with the other nine seconds spent looking at their phone. This not-so-fun-fact underlines one of the greatest hazards we face in our line of work: traffic. When you work on or near a roadway, be sure to set up a good work zone. In general, a good work zone warns motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians that you are working near the road and where you will be. It guides drivers into the proper lane if adjustments away from your work site are necessary. It delineates the actual area where work will be done, and it is set up in a way that uses vehicles as barriers between traffic and Phalcon crews. At your work site, place your warning devices first, before you position your vehicle, open a manhole, or perform other work. Keep your exposure to a minimum by discussing job operations off the street, not in the roadway. Be alert to traffic as often as you can, because you never know when a driver will compromise your safety. For jobs expected to last less than an hour, no formal work zone is required as long as your flashers are on and are working as designed. However, that does not mean you will not want to set up a work zone if you believe traffic conditions or road layouts warrant it. Place your signs so you give motorists plenty of warning about your site. According to the government’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), these are the optimum distances for signs and between cones: Traffic Speed Initial Sign Distance Distance Between Cones 15 mph or below 50 to 90 feet 10 feet 25 to 34 mph 90 to 150 feet 20 to 25 feet 35 to 44 mph 150 to 240 feet 30 to 40 feet 45 to 54 mph 240 to 360 feet 40 to 50 feet 55 mph and above 360 to 550 feet 50 to 60 feet To set up the most effective work protection zone for the street in which you are working, consult the MUTCD online or contact a member of the safety group. Also be aware that state and local regulations sometimes vary from the federal requirements. Be sure every Phalcon employee exposed to traffic is wearing a high-visibility vest (or shirt) with retro-reflective striping. Take care to provide pedestrians with a safe route around your work zone and be vigilant about keeping people out of the work area, especially when work is conducted overhead, on energized equipment, or when trenching or excavating is part of your job. When traffic is a concern, consider using flaggers or police details to direct vehicles around your work area. Communicate with flaggers and police details – during your job brief, if possible – so you’ll each understand what the other is doing. Additional Comments Trainer Name * Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Picture Upload Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum upload size: 52.43MB reCAPTCHA If you are human, leave this field blank. Submit Δ
