Tagged with 'Flaggers'

A Work Zone Safety Video from VDOT

We all know that workers in work zones have dangerous jobs. however, David Rush of VDOT says that 4 out of 5 fatalities in work zone related crashes are to drivers and passengers, not to workers.

In this video, Rush offers ways to navigate work zones safely:

  • Avoid distracted driving - using cell phones, eating and drinking, messing with the radio or the kids in the backseat.

  • Be alert - pay attention to the cars and traffic around you, especially the car in front of you.

  •  Make sure you obey the posted speed limit and realize there will be stopped vehicles.

  • Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.


 

Know the differences between the uses of police, flaggers and advanced warning signs:

  • Flaggers are used when lanes are closed.

  • Electronic arrows are used when lanes are closed on multi-lane roads.

  • Law enforcement is generally present and used on high-speed roadways.


 

Remember, fines are typically doubled if found speeding through these areas, and for speeds 20 mph over the limit, you may be cited for reckless driving and possible jailtime, and always be on the lookout for traffic workers wearing either the orange or yellow hi-visibility safety vests.

ml-kishigo-96701ML Kishigo 9670/9671 Hi Vis Fleece Lined Bomber Jacket

 


The fleece lined bomber jacket features a durable, waterproof shell with a fleece liner and fleece lined hood. In addition to the high visibility color material, the jacket also utilizes black material in the areas which most commonly get dirty - helping the jacket maintain a bright and clean appearance. The fleece lined hood is both removable and can also be hidden. Other features of the jacket include: 2" wide 3M Scotchlite reflective material, right chest wallet pocket, left chest radio pocket, zipper slash side pockets and drawstring hood. Available in high visibility Lime and Orange; sizes M-5XL. ANSI/ISEA Class 3 compliant.

Flagging for Road and Bridge Construction



Per the Florida Department of Tranportation (FDOT) regulations on road and bridge construction, contractors must provide trained flaggers "...to direct traffic where one-way. Operation in a single lane is in effect and in other situations as required. 



 

The Worksite Traffic Supervisor or others as approved by the Department will provide training for flaggers."



 

Flaggers are often the first line of defense for roadside and highway crews (see poster).
Basic skills include:



 

 

  • The Right Signals for stopping, alerting and allowing traffic to proceed

  • The Right Gear Class II or Class III high visibility vests, shirts and foul-weather gear

  • The Right Sign Spacing stopping sight distances

  • The Right Setup

  • The Right Training Per jurisdiction








  • The Right Practices:




    • stand on shoulder in clear view

    • always face traffic

    • use clear hand signal

    • stay alert

    • always stand up

    • use authorized communication devices



 

Flaggers must be trained per the MUTCD Section 6E (Flagger Control), and Design Standards
Index 600 (Flagging Operations and Night Time Flagging) and (General
Information for Traffic Control through Work Zones). The field demonstration
shall be a dexterity test using hand-signaling devices (STOP/SLOW paddle and
flag) during flagging type operations and placement of traffic control devices.
Instructors may use training videos, handouts, computer based training, or
other methods to ensure that the flagger has demonstrated knowledge and
proficiency in flagging operations (per FDOT). No formal submittal of this course to the
MOTC for review is required. No time requirement is set for the training, but
the instructor will be required to keep a record of persons they have
successfully trained and the date they were trained.

Road Construction and Workzone Hazards



Highway crews routinely work in hazardous conditions, near construction vehicles and motor vehicle traffic. Flaggers and other workers on foot are exposed to the risk of being struck by traffic vehicles or construction equipment if they are not visible to motorists or equipment operators. Drivers who operate construction vehicles or equipment risk collision, rolling, and being caught in running equipment. Regardless of their assigned job, lighting can be poor with low visibility and bad weather, and exposure to high traffic congestion and speeds is imminent.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has developed and maintained the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which provides for uniform design and setup of highway work zones. The primary focus of Part 6 of the MUTCD is the interaction between the road user and the work zone. The MUTCD contains exhaustive specifications for signage, pavement and curb markings, traffic signals, and marking of school zones, bicycle facilities and highway-rail crossings. It outlines temporary traffic control measures for lane closures and shifts, detours, shoulder work, median crossovers, mobile operations, and blasting. The MUTCD also addresses topics such as training, personal protective equipment (PPE), speed reduction, barriers, and lighting, as they apply to highway construction. It also provides for uniform design and setup of highway work zones, and includes guidance for the development of temporary traffic control plans (TCPs) that determine the flow of traffic through work zones.

OSHA construction industry regulations address operation of vehicles and equipment within an off-highway job site not open to public traffic. It does cover types of machinery and safety equipment, but it does not address work practices, traffic control plans, or shift work. Flagging and signaling practices are discussed in general which also covers signs, signals, and barricades.

Compliance with the MUTCD and OSHA regulations is a necessary first step in providing a safe work environment, but lacks comprehensive guidance to ensure worker safety in highway work zones. To help identify these gaps in standards and regulations and to compile additional prevention measures to enhance worker safety, NIOSH undertook a comprehensive review of scientific literature, fatality and injury data, and current safety research.

Between OSHA, MUTCD and NIOSH standards and guidelines, a properly defensed workzone can often seem a daunting task. At HiVis Supply, we offer high visibility apparel and safety vests for the worker and traffic control devices for the workzone that can ensure a safe environment for those men and women paving the way for us all.

High Visibility for End of Summer


Stay cool and protect yourself from the sun with an ANSI Class 3 Micro-Fiber long sleeve shirt. This shirt features Ultra-Cool™ micro-fiber polyester material with 2" wide Super Lite silver reflective stripes and (1) left breast pocket. Available in Lime and Orange; M-5XL.

ANSI Class 3 garments allow a worker full range of duties while keeping them safe when working with backgrounds not conducive to good visibility. Class 3 visibility surpasses Class 2 with background and retro-reflective reflective material added to the arms and/or legs – for areas with vehicle speeds above 50 mph.

These garments are designed for vehicles and equipment to be able to fully identify a workers complete body. This new ANSI Class 3 standard defining body requirement is in support of the MUTCD definition of night time and inclement conditions.

ANSI Class 3 apparel is typically used by roadway construction personnel and flaggers, utility workers, survey crews and emergency response personnel - in dangerous conditions with high-speed driving, equipment, large operations and nighttime viewing.

HiVisSupply is dedicated to serving those men and women who continuously and courageously work in hazardous conditions for the sake, ease and benefit of others.

Hi-Vis Bombers

With America's infrastructure in the process of receiving a much needed facelift, there is also a growing need for more highway and roadside workers. Even while highway worker fatalities have decreased each year since 2007 (from almost 1,250 to nearly 750) safer work zones are absolutely necessary to keep this positive trend.


Fundamental issues for increasing highway worker safety include:
trained workers - for engaging in high-traffic and setting up control devices

planning - routes, spotters and utility areas to avoid

speed control - flaggers, postings, law enforcement

lighting - for working at night

separation devices - use based on speed and alignment of traffic pattern

hi-visibility apparel - for differentiation from traffic, equipment and at hard to see times (dusk and dawn)


Workers need gear such as these water-repellent bombers that keep you warm, dry and visible. What's more, they're ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant - meaning their usable in the most high speed conditions. These economy jackets are designed with a "stow-away" hidden collar hood and four pockets - 2 outside pockets, including a chest radio pocket and a right chest multi-use pocket with a zipper closure for extra warmth. Great protection and a great value.

ISEA: High-Vis Public Safety Vests Meet FHWA Requirements for Work Zones

High-visibility protective garments are required for right-of-way workers, flaggers, and adult crossing guards in a document called the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is the basis for federal and state highway regulations. These garments must be compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107, the American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.

Public safety workers such as law enforcement, firefighters, and other emergency responders have the option of wearing high-visibility vests specifically designed for their use and compliant with the ANSI/ISEA 207, American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests.

A revision to the MUTCD published in December 2009 mandates that public safety vests be labeled as compliant with the 2006 version of the standard, or a subsequent revision. ANSI approved the revision to the standard in 2011, and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) requested an interpretation from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that garments meeting the new standard would be acceptable, pointing out that the requirements of the two standards for daytime and nighttime visibility are essentially the same.

FHWA has agreed, and issued an official interpretation stating that the ANSI/ISEA 207-2011 standard is equivalent to the 2006 version, and that garments labeled as meeting the 2011 standard would be in compliance with the MUTCD requirements.

This article is a re-print from Feb 07, 2012 - Occupational Health and Safety.

PSV Pro 300 Series Police
Vest with Blue Trim


The PSV Pro 300 Series Police vest features a durable mesh material with color
coded fabric trim for proper public service department identification; along
with a high visibility 2" silver reflective material with contrasting background
color. Five point breakaway design; as well as snap up flaps to allow greater
accessibility to toolbelts and gear. Each vest includes two chest mic tabs. The
vest folds into a convenient pouch for storage. The vest also offers 4-season
adjustability to accomodate bulky coats.
Be sure to visit HiVis Supply for all of your hi vis safety vest needs including hi visibility vest for flaggers, hi-vis for incident command and emergency responders.
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