5 Steps to Manage Traffic on Construction Sites
Traffic management on a construction site is essential to ensure the safety of workers, visitors, and members of the public. Insufficient and lack of clear separation of pedestrians and cars is responsible for most accidents involving construction transport. Planning ahead, especially during the design stages, and limiting vehicle operations while construction is taking place will help to avoid incidents. In order to prevent accidents and reduce risk, Glendining Signs has explored the top 5 steps to effectively manage traffic on construction sites.
1. Establish a Traffic Management Plan
The first step for establishing safe traffic management during construction activities is to create a traffic management plan. This makes sure that everyone on site is aware of what to expect when travelling through, or around, a construction zone, as it is used to keep workers safe from vehicles and equipment both outside and on construction sites. It also alerts drivers and pedestrians to any dangerous locations they should avoid and informs them of stop-and-go zones, detour routes, and any other crucial safety considerations. For planned work, a qualified individual should visit the site ahead of time and conduct a risk assessment to establish the ideal traffic management system, this is so that the required traffic management signage and equipment can be installed.
2. Get the Right Traffic Management Signs
Construction site traffic signs can be used to communicate a variety of instructions, and cautions, that should be observed for individuals to navigate safely through construction sites. When it comes to things, like site speed limits, construction traffic systems, no access zones, and pedestrian crossings, construction traffic signs are crucial for letting heavy vehicles, visitors, and pedestrians know what to do. Along with warnings and instructions, construction traffic signs also indicate when to expect the arrival or departure of construction vehicles, alerting individuals to dangerous objects or places, and access limitations for trafficand pedestrians. It is important to consider the appropriate site traffic signageto keep everyone safe, and our traffic management sign pack provides all the key traffic management signs for supporting a safe construction site traffic management plan.
3. Safety for Pedestrians
Traffic management plans should also take into account and consider the safety of pedestrians. Traffic management signs should be used to communicate clear pedestrian routes, to direct pedestrians away from or keep out of construction sites where possible. Signs should also be posted to warn of any potential hazards that may arise in the vicinity of construction sites, such as construction traffic, demolitions sites or overhead construction equipment. Where necessary on larger sites, traffic marshals may be employed to monitor and direct pedestrian movements. By having clear signage, everyone on site will have an easier time navigating around the construction zone, and everyone can be kept safe.
4. Regularly Inspect Traffic Signs
You should routinely check your traffic signs for signs of wear and tear as part of the traffic management plan. Weather-related wear and fading, unattended vandalism, and collisions with moving vehicles can all cause signs to become damaged or disappear entirely. Damaged signs not only send the wrong impression that safety communication is not a priority, but it also leaves the sign unreadable and ineffective for its intended use and risks potential accidents.
5. Ensure Training and Instruction
Every site worker needs to receive an appropriate site induction to ensure that your traffic management plan is adhered to. The induction should be site-specific and highlight any risks including the safety rules and controls in place, the hazards they might be exposed to, and how to work safely on the site. This can include communicating any key informational signage to let them know who is the site manager, details for the emergency services and where the site office is located to ensure no unnecessary movement when getting around on site. For larger sites, it could be necessary to train drivers, staff, and visitors as well as send instructions to visitors prior to their arrival to ensure clear communication.
Effectively Manage Construction Traffic with Glendining Signs
At Glendining Signs, we are aware that traffic is essential to the operation of our construction sites and must be carefully handled to ensure safety. The use of heavy equipment, moving cars, pedestrians, and cyclists always necessitates appropriate traffic management. In order to help manage site traffic, interact with pedestrians, or inform the construction team, we can provide an extensive range of construction signs. We take pride in offering a wide variety of construction signs for our customers. Feel free to get in touch with our friendly team if you have any questions.
