Traffic Control Policy

Applicable Legislation:

O. Reg.851, R.R.O. 1990, Industrial Establishments
O. Reg. 231/91, Construction Projects Sections 67,68,69
O. Reg. 145/00, Regulation to Amend O. Reg 213/91

Intent:

To reference prescribed requirements for personal safety in vehicular traffic control.

Definition:

competent worker

in relation to specific work, means a worker who is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to perform the work. A competent worker is familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and with the provisions of the regulations that apply to the work, and has knowledge of all potential or actual dangers to health or safety in the work.

prescribed

required by regulation made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Requirements of O. Reg. 851, Industrial Establishments, Section 20

20. Barriers, warning signs or other safeguards for the protection of all workers in an area shall be used where vehicle or pedestrian traffic may endanger the safety of any worker.

Requirements of O.Reg. 231/91, Sections 67 and 69

67.(1) A worker who may be endangered by vehicular traffic shall be protected as far as is practicable by,

1. workers using signs to direct traffic;
2. warning signs;
3. barriers;
4. lane control devices; and
5. flashing lights or flares.

Traffic control persons

69.(1) This section applies with respect to directing vehicular traffic that may be hazard to workers on a public way.
(2) A worker shall not direct vehicular traffic for more than one lane in the same direction.
(3) A worker shall not direct vehicular traffic if the normal posted speed limit of the public way is more than 90 kilometres per hour.
(4) A worker who is required to direct vehicular traffic.

1. shall be a competent worker;
2. shall not perform any other work while directing vehicular traffic;
3. shall be positioned in such a way that he or she is endangered as little as possible by vehicular traffic; and
4. shall be given adequate written and oral instruction, in a language that he or she understands, with respect to directing vehicular traffic, and those instructions shall include a description of the signals that are to be used.

(5) The written instructions referred to in clause (4) (d) shall be kept at the project.

Protective Clothing

69.1(1) A worker who may be endangered by vehicular traffic shall wear a garment that covers at least his or her upper body and has the following features:

1. The garment shall be fluorescent blaze or international orange in colour.
2. On the front and the back, there shall be two yellow stripes that are 5 centimetres wide. The yellow area shall total at least 500 square centimetres on the front and at least 570 square centimetres on the back.
3. On the front the stripes shall be arranged vertically and centred and shall be approximately 225 millimetres apart, measured from the centre of each stripe. On the back, they shall be arranged in a diagonal “X” pattern.
4. The stripes shall be retro-reflective and fluorescent.

(2) If the garment is a vest, it shall have adjustable fit.
(3) On and after January 1, 2001, a nylon vest to which this section applies shall also have a side and front tear-away feature.

Night Work

(4) In addition, a worker who may be endangered by vehicular traffic during night time hours shall wear retro-reflective silver stripes encircling each arm and leg, or equivalent side visibility-enhancing stripes with a minimum area of 50 square centimetres per side.

Policy:

1. Supervisors and employees shall agree to the mandatory job-specific use of barriers, signs, prescribed protective clothing, and other reasonable precautions for safety in vehicular and pedestrian traffic control.

Guidelines:

Every year in Canada, construction and outdoor workers get killed or injured by vehicles and equipment operating on job-sites. High visibility is important for your protection and the use of fluorescent vests or clothing is mandatory whenever vehicular traffic presents a danger. Whenever roadways are to be obstructed for construction or maintenance work, traffic must be controlled by providing advance warning to drivers (at least 150 metres ahead of the obstruction), worksite identification and driver guidance (arrow signs, cones, markers, traffic control persons, blocker trucks).

Many personal injury incidents are associated with equipment backing up and people being in a blind spot. Signallers provide another pair of eyes for drivers backing up heavy equipment, but can become victims themselves if not careful. If you are a signaller or if you must approach heavy equipment, make eye contact with the operator before you signal, change your position, or approach.

A helpful document titled Non-Freeway Traffic Control Guide (Utility Oriented) was published in 2001 to promote best practices for worker and public safety on roadways. Contact Environmental Health and Safety for further information to obtain this reference.

For more health protection information regarding outdoor work, see Safety Policy 851.09.03 concerning Occupational Exposure to Sunlight and Safety Policy 851.06.19 concerning Work in Extreme Cold, and Safety Policy 851.06.20 concerning Work in Extreme Heat.

Effective: September 2000