OSHA issues final sign safety rule for construction zones

September 20, 2002—A new construction standard for traffic control signs, signals, and barricades is expected to reduce fatalities and injuries at roadway worksites, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced September 11, 2002. The final rule becomes effective December 11, 2002. OSHA reports that over 100 workers are killed and 20,000 more are injured at roadway construction sites every year.

Among the specific changes, the revised standard requires retro-reflective and illuminated devices at intermediate and long-term stationary temporary traffic control zones; warning devices for mobile operations at speeds above 20 mph; advance warning signs for certain closed paved shoulders; a transition area containing a merging taper when one lane is closed on a multi-lane road; temporary traffic control devices with traffic barriers that are immediately adjacent to an open lane; and temporary traffic barriers separating opposing traffic on a two-way roadway.

OSHA added 120 days to the original proposed effective to emphasize outreach and education efforts to assist the industry in training employees on the new rule. For more information visit OSHA.

Share this article

LinkedIn
Instagram Threads
FM Link logo