General Employer Responsibilities

The first responsibility of all employers involved in work on roadways is to understand that their workplace is both a construction work site and a roadway work zone. This duality places additional safety considerations on the employer. Employers must commit resources - people, training, time, and money - to ensure that the risks and hazards for their workers are fully addressed.

Under OSHA rules, employers must perform a hazard assessment of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards. OSHA construction and general regulations, along with the MUTCD, address some of the hazards of roadway work zones. In addition to meeting the requirements of these regulations, employers must perform an assessment of the actual work zone. Hazards may be present in the work zone that are not covered in the regulations.

Employers are responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing standard operating procedures that address workplace hazards. They should assign a competent person, capable of addressing these requirements, to ensure worker safety. Employers must also supply the equipment, PPE, and traffic control devices needed to protect the health and safety of workers.

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