Employee Responsibilities

Each person in a roadway work zone bears significant responsibility for his or her own safety, health, and well-being. In a hazardous environment, a habit of vigilance can mean the difference between life and death. In practice, this habit includes the following behaviors:

• Check your surroundings often for hazards, even when it appears at first glance that none are present.
• Consider what will happen if things go wrong. What is your escape route in each work situation?
• Know the plan for the traffic flow within the work space, and adhere to it.
• At all times, remain aware of the movement of traffic through the work zone and within the work space.
• If you do not have a reason to be in or around an area where roadway or internal traffic is moving, stay clear.
• Always wear high-visibility and protective safety gear. Ensure that this PPE is well-maintained so that it can best serve its protective function.
• Communicate with other workers, especially if there are changes in procedures, locations, or traffic flow patterns.
• Maintain eye contact with equipment operators when you are working near active equipment.
• If you are operating equipment, note and adjust for blind spots, keep all windows and mirrors clean, and always watch carefully for workers on foot.
• Consider and address non-traffic-related hazards, such as working in very hot or very cold weather, breathing dangerous dust, and fall protection.

To learn more about Roadway Work Zones visit our Worker Safety in Roadway Work Zones Online Training web page.