Responding to Roadway Incidents

Contributed by Sandy Paquette, Roadway Safety Trainer, Evergreen Safety Council

At every vehicle-related emergency scene, personnel are exposed to passing motorists of varying driving abilities. Approaching motorists will often be looking at the scene, and not the roadway in front of them. Some of these vehicle operators may be:

• vision impaired,
• under the influence drugs or alcohol,
• driving without a drivers license,
• speeding, or
• experiencing medical condition that affects their judgment or abilities.

In addition, motorists may be completely oblivious to your presence due to distraction caused by:

• cell phone use,
• loud music,
• conversation,
• inclement weather,
• terrain, or
• building obstructions.

Assume that all approaching traffic is out to get you until proven otherwise.

The Responder Safety website has a lot of great training resources, videos and more for those men and women who put their lives on the line for our safety.

Here is a sample - Checklist for improving Responder Safety at Roadway Incidents

The department has a working relationship with law enforcement, DOT (public Works/Highway) and other responders to roadway incidents.

All department personnel have ANSI 107 or ANSI 207 compliant high visibility vest/clothing available and its use is mandatory during roadway operations

Apparatus is equipped with basic traffic control equipment including cones, flares/lights, and advance warning signs.

New apparatus has rear stripping per NFPA 1901, 2009. Department exploring or implementing retrofitting current apparatus.

Traffic Control Personnel

Contributed by Sandy Paquette, Roadway Safety Trainer, Evergreen Safety Council
As per the Washington State Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction (41-10) Section 1-07.8 Page 1-50

“The contractor shall require all personnel under their control (including service providers, Subcontractors, and lower tier subcontractors) that are on foot in the work zone and are exposed to vehicle traffic or construction equipment to wear the high-visibility apparel described in this section.”

The Contractor shall ensure that a competent person as identified in the MUTCD selects the appropriate high-visibility apparel suitable for the jobsite conditions. High visibility garments shall be in a condition compliant with the ANSI 107-2004 and shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer recommendations.

1-07.8(1)
All personnel performing the work described in section 1-10 (including traffic control supervisors, flaggers, spotters and others performing traffic control labor of any kind) shall comply with the following:

1. During daylight hours with clear visibility, workers shall wear a high-visibility ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class 2 or 3 vest or jacket, and a hardhat meeting the high-visibility headwear requirements of WAC 296-155-0305; and


2. During hours of darkness (1/2 hour before sunset to ½ hour after sunrise) or other low visibility conditions (snow, fog, etc.), workers shall wear a high-visibility ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class 2 or 3 ve3st or jacket, high-visibility lower garment meeting ANSI/ISEA Class E, and a hardhat meeting the high-visibility headwear requirements of WAC 296-155-305. (12 square inches of retroreflective 360 around the hardhat)

Buffer Space
Guidance: Neither work activity nor storage of equipment, vehicles, or materials should occur within a buffer space.
Option: A longitudinal Buffer space may be placed in advance of a work space.
Best practice: using the longitudinal and lateral buffers are an important safety feature for the workers and the road users to regain control or stop before entering the work space. If the Buffers are on the approved traffic control plan then I would say those then would not be optional since they are indicated on the approved plan. You can read more in the MUTCD Part 6 Page 6C-5 (pdf)

The WAC 296-155-305 rule 9 (a) Signaling and Flagging Part E
Does require that a flagger station is far enough in advance of the work space so that the road user can stop or divert before entering the workspace the WAC uses the previous Buffer space chart from the 2000 edition of the MUTCD (shorter distance).