Work Zone Safety Inspection Checklist

Basic Requirements
The work zone must be safe and easy to navigate through in a safe manner for drivers
unfamiliar with the roadway and with some reduced visual, mental, and physical
capabilities.
Roadway changes that will require rapid maneuvers, such as lane narrowing,
dropped lanes, changes in geometrics, etc., are avoided where possible.
Temporary traffic control devices are used with the assumption in mind that
drivers will only reduce their speeds if they see a need to.
If temporary traffic control zone requires regulatory measures that differ from existing
devices (e.g. Speed Limits), existing devices have either been covered or removed.
Conventional Signing
Sign Visibility
Appropriate sign sheeting designated by project documents (usually Type III or
higher).
Signs are clean, legible and are positioned properly.
Retroreflective material used displays similar color in day or night conditions.
All signs meet the acceptable category in the ATSSA Quality Standards for Work
Zone Traffic Control Devices guide.
Appropriate signing for all activities/hazardous conditions
Signs are spaced so that drivers are able to read each sign and take appropriate
actions.
Suggested Advance Sign Spacing

Road Type

Distance Between Signs

meters (feet)

A
B
C
Urban (40 mph or less) 30 (100)
30 (100)
30 (100)
Urban (45 mph or
100 (350)
100 (350)
100 (350)
more)
Rural
150 (500)
150 (500)
150 (500)
Freeway
300
450
800
(1,000)
(1,500)
(2,640)
A = distance from the transition or point of restriction to the first sign
B= distance between the first and second sign

C= distance between the second and third sign

EXAMPLE
ROAD
FLAGGER
BE PREPARED
A Flagger
B
WORK C
AHEAD
TO STOP
AHEAD

Lane closures are properly marked.

Where there are drop-offs 2 or greater that are not shielded by portable barriers,
appropriate sign(s) are in place (UNEVEN LANES or LOW SHOULDER ).
Proper placement and installation of signs
Signs should be on the right side of the road unless otherwise stated in contract.
Sign Height
o Rural Areas: Post-mounted signs should be mounted at least 1.5m (5ft.)
from bottom of the sign to the near edge of the road surface.
o Urban Areas or where parking or pedestrians are likely: Signs should be
mounted at least 2.1m (7ft) from the bottom of the sign to the near edge of
the road surface.
o If there is a supplemental plaque mounted below the sign in either of the
above cases, the minimum height can be reduced by 0.3 m (1 ft.)
o Signs posted on barricades or other portable supports are no less than .3 m
(1 ft.) above the traveled roadway.
Lateral Offset
o Curbed Roads: Edges of signs are a minimum of 0.6 m (2ft.) away from
face of curbs and do not overhang the sidewalk.
o Non-curbed Roads: Edges of signs are a minimum of 1.8m (6ft.) and a
maximum of 3.6m (12ft.) away from the shoulder edge.
Signs smaller than 0.9m x 0.9m (36 x 36) may be mounted on a single 100mm
x 100mm (4 x 4) wooden post. Signs larger than 0.9m x 0.9m (36 x 36) or
with a width greater than 920mm (36) must have two wooden posts.
Sign sizes are as designated by project documents. (See Table 6F-1 for
minimums)
Temporary sign stands are ballasted safely (ballast is not suspended off ground.)
Signs with wooden posts have been drilled for proper breakaway performance.

No Holes Needed

150mmx150mm
(6 x 6)

50mm
(2)

40mm
(1.5)

14

Hole Diameter
4

Post size
100mm x 100mm
(4 x 4)
100mm x 150mm
(4 x 6)

The first hole should be

drilled a maximum of
100mm (4) from the ground
and the second should be
drilled 355mm (14) above
the first hole. Holes are to be
perpendicular to direction of
traffic.

Electronic Signing
Portable Changeable Message Systems (PCMS)
No more than 2 phases (displays) are used on a single PCMS.
Abbreviations are clear and per MUTCD Section 1A.14.
The message does not scroll or travel horizontally or vertically.
PCMS is visible from 800 m (0.5mi) under both day and night conditions.
PCMS is legible from at least 200m (650ft) and can be read at least twice at
posted speed.
PCMS will automatically adjust brightness under varying light conditions.
Bottom of the panel is at least 2.1m (7ft) above the roadway or 1.5 m (5ft) in rural
areas.
PCMS is in a safe location and delineated with retroreflective temporary traffic
control devices. When within the Clear Zone the PCMS should be shielded
with a crash cushion or barrier.
PCMS is equipped with a power source and a battery back-up.
PCMS is used as a supplement to and not as a substitute for conventional signs
and pavement markings.
Arrow Boards
Caution mode only (not arrow) is used on two-lane roads/highways. Arrow is
only used if merging traffic. Proper display is used (see options on final page).
Arrow Board is visible form 800 m (0.5mi) under both day and night conditions.
Arrow Board is capable of at least 50% dimming from full brilliance.
Full brilliance is used for daytime operation and 50% dim mode is used for night.
Bottom of the panel is at least 2.1m (7ft) above the roadway or 1.5 m (5ft) in rural
areas.
Arrow Board is in a safe location and delineated with retroreflective temporary
traffic control devices. When within the Clear Zone the PCMS should be
shielded with a crash cushion or barrier.
Arrow Board is equipped with a power source and a battery back-up.
Delineation devices
Visibility
Delineation devices are clean and legible.
Retroreflective material used displays approximately the same color in day or
night conditions.
All delineation devices meet the acceptable category in the ATSSA Quality
Standards for Work Zone Traffic Control Devices guide.
Proper Use of Channelizing Devices
l
Warning lights should be added to channelizing devices in areas with frequent
fog, snow, severe roadway curvature, or where visual distractions are present.

Temporary delineation devices are ballasted safely (not suspended off the
ground.)
The spacing of channelizing devices should not exceed a distance in meters (feet)
equal to 1.0 times the speed limit in mph when used for taper channelization, and
a distance in meters (feet) of 2.0 times the speed limit in mph when used for
tangent channelization.
If warning lights are used they should be put on the side of the device where the
traffic is intended to travel.
Cones
Cones shall be predominantly orange in color and are made out of a material that
can be struck without causing damage to the impacting vehicle.
Cones are 700 mm (28 inches) and are retroreflectorized for nighttime use.
Steps are taken to make sure that the cones will not be blown over or displaced by
wind or moving traffic, with ballast kept to minimum needed.
Tubular Markers
Tubular markers shall be predominantly orange in color and are made out of a
material that can be struck without causing damage to the impacting vehicle.
Tubular Markers are 700 mm (28 inches) and retroreflectorized for nighttime use.
Markers are affixed to the pavement and ballast is kept to minimum needed. If
non-cylindrical tubular markers are used they are attached to the pavement
ensuring that the width facing road users meet the minimum requirements of 50
mm (2 inches).
Tubular markers are only used when there is a limited space.

Vertical Panels
Vertical panels have alternating orange and white diagonal strips.
Diagonal stripes slant downward to the direction where the traffic is intended to
travel.
If panels are used at night they are retroreflectorized.
Drums
Drums are a minimum of 900mm (36in) in height and have at least 450mm (18in)
in width regardless of orientation.
Metal drums shall not be used.
Markings on the drums are horizontal, circumferential, alternating orange and
white retroreflective stripes 100 to 150mm (4 to 6in) wide.
Drums have closed tops to prevent construction and other debris from collecting
in them.
Sand or any other type of ballast is not placed on top of the drum.

Drums are not weighed down with ballast to the extent that would make them
hazardous to road users or construction personnel.
If drums are placed in regions susceptible to freezing there are hole drilled in the
bottom of the drum.
Type I, II, or III Barricades
Diagonal stripes slant downward to the direction where the traffic is intended to
travel.
When a highway is legally closed but access is still allowed for local road users
barricades are not extended completely across the road. And appropriate striping
is used.
Road Closures

If traffic is to turn left.

If traffic may turn either left or right.

If traffic is to turn right.

If no turns are intended.

Stripes are retroreflective.

Minimum length for type I and II barricades is 600mm (24in), minimum for type
III is 1,200mm (48in.) and maximum is 2.4 m (8ft) [unless crash test data is
available]. Rails must be 200 to 300mm (8 to 12in) wide.
Barricades are supported in a way that allow road users to see them, and in a
manner that provides a stable support that is not easily blown over or displaced.
Ballast is not placed on the upper rails of the barricade and no nondeformable
objects such as rocks or chucks of concrete are used as ballast.
Signs may be placed on type III barricades, but can only be placed on top two
rails. The sign may only cover 50% of the top two rails and only 33% of the
entire barricade.

Direction Indicator Barricade

Consists of a retroreflective horizontal arrow on the top panel and a striped
retroreflective bottom panel.
The arrow panel is a black on orange and is 600 x 300mm (24 x 12in.)
The striped panel has 100mm (4in) stripes at a 45 angle, pointing down in the
direction the arrow points. The panel is 600 x 200mm (24 x 8in.)

Markings
Pavement markings match the markings on either end of the project, unless:
the road is unsurfaced,
it is not possible to provide markings and proper channelizing devices are in
place.
the contract allows temporary markings, if so:
o Tape or painted markings for broken lines are at least 2 ft long, every 40 ft
o Raised Pavement Markers (RPMs) for broken lines have at least 3 RPMs
per line
o For ADT of 1000 or less, Vehicle Positioning Guides are placed at 12 m
(40ft) spacing or 6 m (20ft) in sharp curves.
o For ADT of more than 1000, Raised Pavement Markers for no passing
zones have 2 RPMs side by side at ten foot spacing.
o All temporary markings are in place no longer than 14 days.
Markings that are no longer applicable are completely obliterated (painting over the
markings is not acceptable).
Surfaced detours or temporary roadways should have pavement markings along the entire
length.
Flaggers
Flaggers are certified and can communicate clearly, move/maneuver quickly, control the
paddle, understand safe traffic control, and recognize dangerous situations quickly.
Safety Apparel
Clearly identifies wearer as a person
Meets ANSI 107-1999 Class 2
Retroreflective material is orange, yellow, white, silver, yellow-green or a
fluorescent version of these colors.
Proper devices and procedures
Flaggers should have STOP/SLOW Paddles made out of type III or IV
retroreflective material.
STOP/SLOW paddles are a minimum of 450 mm (18) with minimum 150 mm
(6) height of letters.
STOP/SLOW paddles used at night they shall be retroreflective.
Flags are not used except in emergencies
Flaggers and pilot cars are provided with 2-way radios unless they are within
sight of each other.

If railroad crossing exists the flagger will not be allowed to create conditions
where vehicles can be stopped with no means of escape.
Flagger Stations is at an appropriate distance from the work zone (6E.05)
Flagger Station Location in Advance of Work Space
Speed (km/h) 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Metric
Distance (m) 35 50 65 85 105 160 160 185
Speed (mph) 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
US
Distance (feet) 115 155 200 250 305 360 425 495

110
220
60
570

Construction Personnel/Equipment
High-visibility apparel for those exposed to moving traffic or equipment.
Personal vehicles are parked off the roadway (preferred) or at least outside the
clear zone.
Construction equipment and supplies (including traffic control devices) that are
not in use are stored off the traveled roadway and outside the clear zone and the
buffer space.
Miscellaneous
Traffic is not held back more than 30 minutes unless otherwise stated by
contracts.
If railroad crossing exists no lane restrictions or temporary traffic control zone is
allowed to create a condition where vehicles can be stopped with no means of
escape.
Crash-tested devices
(http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/fourthlevel/pro_res_road_nchrp350.htm)
Warning Signs Sizes
Standard Size

Standard Size

30 x 30

Standard Size

36 x 36

48 x 48

Miscellaneous (in inches)

48 x 24

36 x 18

36 x 48

36 x 48 x 48

36 x 18

42 x 36

42 x 36

30 x 24

Other Temporary Traffic Control Devices

Cones
Vertical Panels

48 x 18

36 x 18

30 x 24

Tubular Markers

Arrow Board Displays

Sequential Series

This is a note to see if anyone will notice.

Flashing