This document provides a safety talk about driving within construction work zones. It notes that on average 130 workers die each year from road construction activities, with the top causes being workers struck by traffic or construction vehicles. The main hazards in work zones are construction equipment, equipment entering/exiting, and passing traffic. The talk recommends drivers slow down, set brakes when leaving vehicles, use spotters when backing up, make eye contact before moving, and be aware of blind spots to improve safety. It also suggests an activity to demonstrate how quickly vehicles can travel.

1. Construction Safety Talks
Driving Inside On average, 130 workers die each year in road construction
The Work Zone activities.
• Pedestrian Workers Struck-by Traffic - 23%
No. 77
• Pedestrian Workers Struck-by Work Zone Construction
Vehicles - 18%
How This Talk • Work Zone Vehicle Operator and Occupant (e.g. Rollovers)
Applies To My - 18%
Crew:
• Highway Travel Traffic Accidents - 15%
The main hazards in a work zone are:
1. Construction equipment working within the work zone
2. Construction equipment entering or leaving the work zone
3. General vehicular traffic passing through the work zone
Equipment operators and drivers can take a few precautions to
make the job safer for themselves and others. They include:
• Slow down! Driving inside a job site is no different than
driving on public streets. You must be able to recognize an
obstacle where trouble could develop, apply the brakes,
and stop the vehicle/equipment within the clear distance
before the obstacle. Obstacles include work crews, other
vehicles, and mobile equipment.
• Set brakes whenever leaving the vehicle for any period of
time and for any activity. Leaving a vehicle/equipment in
gear is not safe, especially if diesel powered.
• Chock wheels when leaving vehicles. Chocks should be in
good shape and be appropriate for the type of vehicle.
• Pause before backing. After putting the vehicle in reverse,
slowly move a foot or less, and pause to allow any workers
behind you the time to react.
• If the back-up alarm does not work, get a trained spotter to
assist, and beep your horn as needed, until alarm is
repaired.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 1

2. • Make eye contact with workers in your area before moving your vehicle.
• Trucks with side lighting should put these lights on in the work zone and turn
them off upon exit of the work zone.
• Park equipment and vehicles away from the traffic edge of the work zone. This
improves sight lines and allows more time for workers and the general public to
react.
• Do not park equipment or vehicles in close proximity to other equipment. A pinch
point or crushing zone may be created when the other equipment is used.
• Inspect equipment and vehicles daily for operating safety devices.
All employees in the work zone must remember to stop, look, and listen whenever they
step out from behind equipment, stock piles, trailers, and any other blind spot into the
work-zone traffic.
Try This For Show And Tell!
Ask the crew to guess the average speed of a pick up truck traveling in the work zone
traffic. Multiply the speed times 1.5. This is the number of feet the truck travels in ONE
SECOND. For example, at 30 mph a pick up will travel 45 feet per second.
Have someone drive a pick up past the crew at what they consider a reasonable speed;
or pick 15 or 20 mph. Instruct the driver to note his/her speed. Ask the crew to guess
the truck’s speed. Typically what seems like crawling to the driver will seem fast to any
one standing outside the truck.
Have the crew identify blind spots in the work zone.
Questions You Can Use To Get Them Talking:
• Has anyone had a near miss with equipment inside the job site? Tell us about it.
Attended By:
The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at
the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the
appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 2