Working in roadways: Massachusetts issues safety alert

Boston — Spurred by three fatal incidents involving four roadway workers over the past year or so, the Massachusetts Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program has issued a statewide safety alert.

The alert details the incidents, which occurred between December 2023 and this past July. Two traffic detail officers, a utility worker and a highway maintenance foreman were fatally injured while in work zones. Going back 10 years, the program has recorded 67 fatalities involving workers being struck by moving motor vehicles or equipment. Of those, 19 were killed in work zones. 

Employers of traffic detail officers can help prevent incidents by training officers on work zone hazards, such as being positioned outside the construction area, requiring contractors to brief officers on traffic control plans, being aware of moving equipment and confirming hand signals/other communication methods used by equipment operators. 

Traffic officers should also be provided high-visibility vests that meet at least American National Standard Institute Class 2 standards and other personal protective equipment, which should be worn during daylight and night work zone assignments. 

Employers of other roadway workers should: 

• Conduct hazard assessments and develop a work zone plan. 
• Provide police or fire vehicles with flashing lights to indicate lane closure during incident response. 
• Use physical barriers, such as a fire truck or attenuator truck, to protect roadway workers on foot. 
• Incorporate ways to improve worker safety when developing a traffic control plan, such as closing a roadway or rerouting traffic. 
• Develop and implement internal traffic control plans, depending on the size and scope of the project. 
• Conduct a contractor-led, pre-shift job briefing with traffic detail officers. 
• Train workers on job hazards and how to work next to motor vehicle traffic.
• Ensure all workers and spotters wear appropriate high-visibility clothing for the weather, traffic speeds and other site conditions.