Work zone safety: New resource for tower workers

Watertown, SD — New guidance from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association outlines five key safety elements for communication tower industry workers who operate in and around roadway work zones.

The components:

1. Traffic control plan. This comprehensive design “outlines how traffic will be managed through or around a work zone” and is “essential for maintaining safety and ensuring minimal disruption to traffic flow while protecting both workers and the public.”
2. Personal protective equipment. It’s “essential for safeguarding workers in the hazardous environment of a work zone.”
3. Flagging operations. Flaggers must be trained to direct traffic safely through work zones, especially during lane closures, detours or other traffic disruptions.
4. Traffic control devices. These may include cones, barrels, barricades and traffic signs and are used to “direct, warn, and protect traffic and workers in a work zone.”
5. Pedestrian requirements. If pedestrians are present in a work zone, provide clear pathways and signage to protect them from hazards.

NATE notes that although the document “offers valuable insights, it is not intended to cover the full scope of work zone safety.” This offers employers “flexibility to tailor their own safety plans” to their specific needs and circumstances.

“We are committed to improving safety on public roadways by providing clear, standardized guidelines as well as pointing to applicable regulations,” Brian Bicknese, director of safety and education at NATE, said in a press release. “By utilizing the most current resources, employers and workers alike can implement effective safety measures to prevent accidents and create safer environments for all.”