The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets forth regulations and standards to ensure workplace safety.  As emergency responders we too must follow all these safety standards even though our jobs do contain some very high risks.  This article is to help you and your agency provide an understandable outline to set up your own training for emergency responders working on the side of the road while staying in compliance with OSHA’s safety requirements. These regulations are often covered under the OSHA standards for general industry (29 CFR 1910) or construction (29 CFR 1926), depending on the nature of the work being performed.

For roadside emergencies we are going to focus on just two safety standards in this article:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (29 CFR 1910.132)
    • This standard requires employers to assess the workplace for hazards that necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and to provide appropriate PPE to employees. For emergency responders working along roadways, this may include high-visibility clothing, gloves, eye protection, and head protection.
  • Traffic Control (29 CFR 1926.200)
    • This standard addresses the control of traffic to protect employees working in construction zones. While primarily applicable to construction activities, it provides general guidance on traffic control measures that may be relevant to emergency responders working along roadways, such as the use of signs, barricades, flaggers, and traffic cones.

*It’s essential for employers and emergency responders to assess the specific hazards present when working along roadways and ensure compliance with relevant OSHA standards and regulations. Additionally, state and local regulations may also apply, so it’s important to be aware of those requirements as well.

Personal Protective Equipment:

While working along the roadside or around any mobile equipment in any area, including your training grounds where apparatus movement is being performed, all ground crew must wear high-visibility clothing so they can be easily seen.  Typically, these are made of fluorescent materials in colors such as yellow, orange, or lime green, which stand out against most backgrounds. These colors are easily seen during the day, while retroreflective materials incorporated into the clothing reflect light back to its source, making the wearer visible at night or in low light conditions. This increased visibility helps to alert drivers to the presence of workers along the roadside, reducing the risk of accidents.  No one in EMS or Fire are exempt from this requirement.  Ultimately, workers have a responsibility to comply with applicable safety regulations and employer policies, including the use of required protective equipment. Ignorance of the requirements or personal preferences are generally not considered valid excuses for non-compliance, particularly if the failure to wear high-visibility clothing puts the worker or others at risk.

ANSI/ISEA 107, for example, outlines criteria for high-visibility safety apparel, including minimum areas of fluorescent and retroreflective material that must be present on garments. The standard categorizes high-visibility apparel into different classes based on the level of risk and environmental conditions in which they are intended to be used. Generally, the higher the risk level, the more extensive the coverage of high-visibility materials on the garment.

 

Traffic Control:

You must implement traffic control measures to create a safe work zone, including the use of cones, barricades, signs, and flaggers to alert motorists and guide traffic around the scene.  This safety zone must include one lane for the creation of a safe work zone.  If the incident is on the right shoulder of the road, you must capture the lane to the left side of the incident.  If the incident is located in a center lane, both lanes on each side of the incident must be captured.  Failure to do this will put the crew members working on the scene in risk of serious injury or death.

Proper emergency vehicle placement along the side of the road is critical for protecting emergency crews working at the scene and ensuring the safety of both responders and passing motorists. The positioning of emergency vehicles should create a visible barrier between the work area and passing traffic while allowing for efficient access and egress for emergency personnel and equipment. Here are some general guidelines for proper emergency vehicle placement:

  • Angle of Approach: Emergency vehicles should be parked at an angle to the direction of traffic flow. This angle helps to create a larger visible presence and provides a buffer zone between the work area and passing vehicles.
  • Flashing Lights: Activate all emergency lights, including flashing lights, strobes, and other warning signals, to enhance the visibility of the emergency vehicles to approaching motorists.
  • Reflective Materials: Ensure that emergency vehicles are equipped with reflective materials or striping to increase visibility, especially during low light conditions or inclement weather.
  • Blocking Lanes: Position emergency vehicles to block the closest lane or lanes of traffic to the work area. This helps to create a protected work zone and reduces the risk of vehicles intruding into the work area.
  • Use of Cones or Flares: Deploy traffic cones, flares, or other traffic control devices to further delineate the work area and provide guidance to motorists on how to safely navigate around the scene.
  • Consider Traffic Flow: Take into account the direction and speed of traffic when positioning emergency vehicles. If possible, park vehicles upstream of the incident to provide advanced warning to approaching motorists.
  • Emergency Vehicle Spacing: Maintain adequate spacing between emergency vehicles to allow for safe movement and access for personnel and equipment.
  • Emergency Lane: Designate an emergency lane or shoulder for emergency vehicles to park, ensuring that there is enough space for responders to work safely without impeding traffic flow.
  • Communication: Coordinate with law enforcement or traffic control personnel to assist with directing traffic and ensuring the safe movement of vehicles around the scene.
  • Stay Alert: Emergency responders should remain vigilant and alert while working at the scene, keeping an eye out for any approaching vehicles and being prepared to take evasive action if necessary.

It’s important for emergency responders to receive proper training on safe vehicle placement and traffic control techniques to effectively protect themselves and others while working on the side of the road. Additionally, following established protocols and guidelines can help minimize the risk of accidents and injuries during emergency response operations.

Please, stay safe out there!