Training Series: Accident Prevention Signs & Tags

OSHA Standard: 1926.200 (Subpart G)

Occurrence: Upon Initial Assignment

Frequency: As jobsite conditions or roles change

Background:
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, transportation incidents accounted for 66% of fatal roadway worksite incidents. In most of these occurrences, a worker was hit by a moving vehicle. Incidentally, backing vehicles accounted for 27 of the 48 pedestrian vehicular incidents. 60% of cases involving workers hit by backing vehicles involved dump trucks.

Employer Responsibilities:
Signs and symbols shall be visible at all times when work is being performed and shall be removed or covered promptly when the hazards no longer exist.

Construction areas shall be posted with legible traffic signs at points of hazard. All traffic controls signs or devices used for protection of construction workers shall conform to Part VI of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

Danger Signs: Shall be used only where an immediate hazard exists. Danger signs shall have red as the predominating color for the upper panel; black outline on the borders; and a white lower panel for additional sign wording.

Caution Signs: Shall be used only to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices. Caution signs shall have yellow as the predominating color; black upper panel and borders: yellow lettering of "caution" on the black panel; and the lower yellow panel for additional sign wording. Black lettering shall be used for additional wording. 

Exit Signs: When required, shall be lettered in legible red letters, not less than 6 inches high, on a white field and the principal stroke of the letters shall be at least three-fourths inch in width.

Safety Instruction Signs: When used, shall be white with green upper panel with white letters to convey the principal message. Any additional wording on the sign shall be black letters on the white background.

Directional signs. Other than automotive traffic signs shall be white with a black panel and a white directional symbol. Any additional wording on the sign shall be black letters on the white background.

Traffic signs: Construction areas shall be posted with legible traffic signs at points of hazard.

Accident prevention tags: Accident prevention tags shall be used as a temporary means of warning employees of an existing hazard, such as defective tools, equipment, etc.

Summary:
Take extra precaution when driving or working in a work zone near roadways. Don’t let outside distraction come into play, there are lives at stake.