It makes sense that traffic control is a concern for roadworks. After all, the traffic is sharing the road along with the construction site, increasing the risks of accidents. However, traffic control and management are also important for other construction sites, especially as the construction industry continues to grow.
The Safety Concerns of a Construction Site
It’s no secret that construction sites are dangerous places. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), one in five deaths among American workers occur in the construction industry. Because of this, there are safety measures that construction companies should practice.
First, workers need to be correctly trained in all the risks and correct procedures of the site. Any equipment should be inspected regularly and maintained, to reduce the risk of a sudden breakdown. Your workers should also be supplied with suitable safety equipment, which they know how to use. Hard hats (https://serp.co/best/hard-hat/) and high visibility vests are typically mandatory on a site.
Construction sites also pose a risk to nearby members of the public, which workers should watch out for. The most obvious danger is that a pedestrian, perhaps a child, wanders onto the construction site and gets injured.
Even the safest construction site is full of dangers, which your workers are aware of and know to avoid. A random pedestrian, on the other hand, may end up in a dangerous area of the site. Even worse, they won’t be wearing any protective or high-vis gear, so are especially vulnerable to things falling on them.
Another danger that arises with the public occurs outside of the construction site. Many construction sites are in busy, high-traffic areas, which means that the site itself can disrupt the traffic in unpredictable ways. Sightlines may be blocked and pedestrians may be forced to walk into unsafe areas. This heavily increases the risk of a traffic accident.
These risks are even more pronounced when the construction work is taking place on the roadside or the road itself, but even a seemingly out-of-the-way site can present increased risks. Due to the amount of risk inherent in construction sites, and how easily a small detail can be overlooked, a good hedge to reduce risk is to get some help from a construction safety consultant company, that way you can feel more confident that all the basics have been met.
Traffic Management Solutions
As with other aspects of construction site safety concerns, there are ways to mitigate the risks of traffic accidents. They can also keep unwelcome vehicles away from the construction site and stop people from driving through without permission.
Among the top priority to find cost-effective traffic management solution is to have a well-trained workforce. Two-day training programs offered by well established educational institutions are the perfect solution. For example, traffic control courses Melbourne way offer knowledge and skills for the protection of construction sites, workers, and the general public.
Stationing trained traffic management workers in high-risk areas, like site entry and exits points, can guide both motorists and pedestrians away from anywhere dangerous. If you can, keep certain routes clear to reduce the disruption in the area. This will involve staggering scheduled deliveries so that there isn’t a blockage.
Set appropriate speed limits on and around the construction site, mitigating risks to pedestrians and workers alike. Effective signs and warnings near the construction site also reduce the risks of traffic accidents, as they mark where people should and shouldn’t be. Barriers and barricades, such as the type 2 barricade also prevent people from going where they shouldn’t. Some barriers can even provide a measure of protection in the event of a collision.