Chapter 28
Traffic Control
Abstract
Security officers will learn all about the different aspects surrounding parking and traffic control. Properly using personal protective equipment, retro-reflective vests, and personal traffic control equipment are topics of discussion. Controlling vehicles and pedestrians is also highlighted in this chapter.
Keywords
Channelizing devices; Communication devices; PPE; Traffic control equipmentSecurity officers, depending on their assignment, may work as a traffic control person. Security officers have a great deal of responsibility on the job. The safety of workers, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians depend on the directions they give. Everyone relies on security officers to give them proper directions for passing safely through work zones.
Controlling traffic may look easy, but it is not. A security officer must stay alert and in control for long hours and, at times, under difficult conditions. In the summer, it can be hot and one can suffer sunburn, dehydration, insect bites, and heat stress, whereas winter conditions can cause cold stress and other problems. It can also be hazardous working around construction equipment, fast-moving traffic, and inattentive drivers.
Job locations and conditions
One of the challenges in working as a security officer is learning how to work safely and comfortable in different geographic locations, environmental conditions, and times of the day. You may be asked to control traffic in and around shopping malls, around campus, or through busy commercial areas. In each location, you need to watch for different hazards or take specific precautions.
Road configurations also affect the way you control traffic in a work zone. Drivers may be attentive and cooperative, but at times you may have some who are rude and impatient. Keeping cool under pressure at times may be difficult.
During the winter, you may have to protect yourself from cold stress; in the summer, you may be concerned about heat stress and insect bites. Officers need to be prepared for a variety of conditions. Some jobs are very noisy, whereas others are dusty. You may be required to wear special equipment, such as hearing protection or a particle mask.
Your shift may start early in the morning, or you may have to work throughout the night, in fog, snow, or rain. At times, there can be dramatic changes in the weather throughout the day.
It is important to learn about hazards that are related to these locations and conditions so that you can take appropriate precautions. You should also take time to become familiar with the safety regulations and traffic control standards with which you must comply in each situation. Your traffic control supervisor is an important source of information about specific job conditions and requirements, so do not hesitate to ask questions—the life you save may be your own! A good time to review specific job conditions and requirements is at the beginning of a shift.
Using personal protective equipment
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job is required. It is your responsibility to wear appropriate clothing on the job that will provide you with general protection and comfort. For most worksites, long pants and a shirt with sleeves will provide adequate protection. Always wear proper uniform attire, not clothing that will distract motorists.
In addition to dressing for the weather, you are always required to wear the following safety equipment:
• Safety footwear
• Safety headgear
• Retro-reflective vest
• Retro-reflective wrist bands
You may also be required to wear hearing, eye, or respiratory protection depending on the worksite condition.
Safety footwear
Your feet deserve as much consideration as your eyes, ears, and hands. Because your feet are always subjected to potential hazards at the work zone, safety-toed footwear with ankle support must be worn. No other footwear should be worn, and this includes running shoes. If there is a hazard of hot material falling into your footwear, you should always wear long pants with the cuffs outside of your footwear.
Safety headgear
While directing traffic, security officers are required to wear approved safety headgear that meets or exceeds the approved headgear standards. It is not advisable to write on, paint, or decorate your headgear with stickers or other items because glues and paints may deteriorate the plastic and detract from the warning color. In cold weather, you can use an insert in your headgear to keep warm. Choose headgear that fits you properly and comfortably.
Retro-reflective vest
A retro-reflective vest makes you much more visible (Figure 28.1). The vest must be fluorescent orange with at least one horizontal retro-reflective strip around the waist. Your vest must meet or exceed approved standards for high-visibility garments. For situations where visibility is extremely poor, a battery-operated flashing-light vest can be worn for additional safety.
Ear protection
High noise levels can impair your ability to hear. For example, the noise from loaders and other construction machinery can damage your hearing permanently. High noise levels can also make you irritable, tired, and decrease your ability to stay alert and concentrate.
Choose a style of ear protection that you can wear comfortably that meets or exceeds recognized standards. For example, earplugs may be more comfortable in hot weather than earmuffs. Earplugs should be pliable, fit each ear tightly, and be disposable or easy to keep clean. In high-noise situations, you may have to wear both earplugs and earmuffs for adequate protection.
Eye protection
You should wear shatterproof approved safety glasses to protect your eyes in areas where there is the danger of flying objects and in areas where there are excessive dust levels. Excessive dust concentrations can also make contact lenses a hazard for the wearer.
Regular prescription glasses or sunglasses will not provide adequate protection. Choose a style and type of eye protection that is comfortable and applicable to the type of worksite in which you work.
Respiratory protection
You may find yourself on a worksite where there is an unacceptable level of contamination from dust, fumes, or other pollutants. You should take adequate measures to protect yourself from inhaling hazardous materials by wearing respiratory protection. A tight face seal usually requires a clean-shaven face.
In areas where there is a high dust level, such as a dusty road, you should wear an approved particle mask for protection. If the dust levels are extreme, you may need to wear a respirator rather than a particle mask. You may also need to advise your traffic control supervisor that water is needed to wet down the road for improved visibility.
If there is a danger from fumes or chemical pollution (such as near an asphalt burner), you must wear a cartridge-style mask. It is important that the correct cartridge is installed to protect you from the particular hazard. A particle mask is not adequate protection from fumes or chemicals.
If you are unsure about the protection that you require for the work situation, you should consult with your employer.
Maintaining your PPE
Your equipment will only be effective and useful if you take care of it and keep it in good condition. You should observe the following practices:
• Keep your footwear waterproofed and clean to prevent deterioration of the leather.
• Keep your earplugs clean and store them in their protective case when you are not using them. Replace them if they are disposable or if they become damaged.
• Keep your earmuffs clean and free from damage.
• Store protective glasses in a case to prevent damage when you are not using them. Keep them clean at all times.
• Store retro-reflective vests and accessories carefully when they are not in use. Check them before use for cleanliness and damage or missing retro-reflective stripes. Also check the batteries of flashing type vests.
• Keep your headgear clean and check it for damage. Also check the expired date of your headgear and replace it when required.
• Check your headgear regularly by flexing it to see if it has become brittle from exposure to the sun and other weather conditions.
• Check the suspension inside your headgear and replace it annually, or sooner if there is evidence of damage or extreme wear.
Other personal equipment
Conditions on a job site can change quickly during a shift. It may be sunny in the morning and raining in the afternoon. You may need sunscreen, insect repellent, and liquids to stay alert and comfortable. It is a challenge being prepared for all of these situations, but you will find you are more comfortable and less likely to be distracted if you maintain a kit containing the following items:
• Water bottle
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Bandages and antiseptic cream
• Sunglasses
• Rain gear
• Spare socks and gloves
• Washcloth
• Chin strap for safety headgear
• Whistle
• Air horn
• Pen and notebook
• Masking tape
Using traffic control devices
Traffic control equipment is used to regulate, warn, and guide motorists and pedestrians. Traffic control can be achieved by the use of permanently installed devices. In work zones, traffic control is achieved by the use of temporary equipment and a trained security officer.
Personal traffic control equipment
Security officers may use the following equipment in their hands to direct traffic:
• Traffic control paddles
• Flashlights with red signaling wands (night use and in poor visibility)
• Communication devices
• Recording materials
Paddles and flashlights
The most important items that you have are the traffic control paddle and the flashlight with a red signaling wand attachment. These are the tools that you will use to direct traffic. The other equipment is used to communicate with other security officers or to record traffic control incidents.
Communication devices
In addition to the paddle, you should have some form of audible communication, such as a whistle, that gets the attention of a machine operator or motorist who may not see you or may not be paying attention to you. You may also require a two-way radio to communicate with other security officers if you cannot see them from your position.
Recording materials
Other important items include at least one pen or pencil and a small notebook that you can use to record important information, such as the license number of a vehicle that did not obey your signals.
Maintaining personal control equipment
Keep your traffic control equipment in good repair and top working condition. Before beginning your shift, you should inspect your equipment for the following:
• Check your traffic control paddle to make sure that it is clean and undamaged.
• Test the flashlight for operation and replace the batteries if necessary (always carry spare batteries for your flashlight).
• Check the signaling wand for damage and replace it if necessary.
• Check to make sure that the audible device works, whether it is a whistle or a radio (always carry spare batteries for the radio).
• Make sure that you have a book or paper to write on and that your pens or pencils function.
Occasionally, you may find yourself in a position where you cannot easily access your book and pencil to make note of incidents where you should record a license number or vehicle type. To make this process easier, you can attach a strip of masking tape to the handle of your paddle so that you can make a temporary note on it in a hurry and then transfer it to paper when you have time.
Traffic control equipment
Work zone traffic control equipment may include:
• Signs
• Channeling devices
• Lighting devices
The equipment may be used in any combination to achieve the desired control of traffic.
Signs
Signs may be permanent ones that are already in place or temporary signs used for specific control situations. All signs used must be reflectorized or illuminated to ensure visibility.
Regulatory signs
A regulatory sign is a type of traffic sign that advises motorists or pedestrians that certain actions are required of them, such as stop, yield, etc.
Warning signs
A warning sign is a type of traffic sign that warns motorists that conditions on or adjacent to a highway are potentially hazardous to pedestrians or to vehicular traffic, such as slippery when wet, expect traffic delays, etc.
Flags
Red or orange flags must be securely attached to all signs warning of workers on the road.
Channeling devices
Channeling devices are used to guide motorists and pedestrians safely away from, around, or through the work zone. They may also be used to separate traffic traveling in opposite directions. Channeling devices include the following:
• Flexible drums
• Cones and tubular markers
• Temporary delineator posts
• Barricades
• Barriers
Lighting devices
Warning lighting devices draw attention to traffic control devices and work vehicles. Lighting devices include:
• Flashing yellow warning lights and flashing vehicle lights
• Steady burn warning lights
• Flashing arrow boards
• Floodlights
Maintaining traffic control devices
Traffic control devices must be constantly checked and maintained to provide good visibility and perform the functions that they are designed to do in the control of traffic.
Before placing any traffic control device, check it carefully for damage and condition. Avoid the use of any faded or marred retro-reflective surface. Replace any traffic control devices that are damaged. Examine flashing lights and rotating lights for operation and brightness.
When the job is completed and the control devices are collected for storage, make sure that they are in good condition. By doing so, you ensure that when they are needed again they will be in good repair and will not require repair or replacement before they can be used.
Using and interpreting signals
Your job as a security officer requires that you to be able to indicate to motorists, workers, equipment operators, pedestrians, and other security officers what they have to do. You must be able to signal quickly and accurately and know that your signals are clear and will not cause confusion. You will have to use different types of signals to provide information.
You will use a variety of different devices for signaling. The most important aspect of signaling is that you must first gain the other person’s attention. If they are not aware of your signals, they cannot be expected to do what you have indicated. To get the attention of other people, you may have to use:
• Traffic control paddles
• Whistles
• Flashlights and signaling wands
• Hand signals
• Radios
All of these devices used together or separately will allow you to convey your instructions to other people. You should be aware that the sound of a whistle can be difficult to hear if the work zone is very noisy. You will have to use a variety of methods to make sure that people are aware of what you want them to do as a result of your signals.
A good method of determining whether or not you have someone’s attention is to make eye contact with him or her. You will also know they are looking at you if they react when you signal them.
Positioning
In addition to making sure that you are communicating with people who are watching and paying attention, you must also ensure that you position yourself in an area that provides the maximum visibility and a safe escape route. This positioning is important, particularly in areas where visibility may be limited, such as on curves or hills. You may also find that for safety there should be more than one security officer working. It is also a good idea to draw attention to your position by using a cone situated near you.
When you start to direct traffic, you should place yourself in a safe position, usually on the shoulder out of the way of vehicles. Display your paddle with the STOP side visible to the first oncoming vehicle. As the vehicle approaches you and the driver acknowledges you by making eye contact, move out onto the traveled part of the road on the driver’s side of the traffic that you are controlling.
If a security officer cannot be positioned so there will be no interference with other traffic control devices, such as stop signs or a traffic signal, it may be necessary to place covers over stop signs or to flash traffic signals in order to avoid contradictory instructions to drivers.
Remaining on duty
Security officers must remain at their assigned traffic control station until another officer relieves them.
Signaling other security officers
You may have to signal your intentions to another security officer or take instructions from them. When two or more security officers are working as a team, one should be responsible for traffic coordination. That person will then issue the required signals for change of traffic flow. Responsibility for coordinating traffic flow can be switched from security officer to security officer throughout the day depending on who has the best visibility.
Controlling vehicles and pedestrians
Security officers are present at work zones to control traffic, to provide for safe passage of equipment and workers, and to allow work to proceed as smoothly as possible. To perform these functions, security officers must be visible to the traffic for a sufficient distance to allow them to signal motorists and get the required response before the traffic enters the work area. For this reason, security officers are equipped with clothing and traffic control devices that make them stand out from their surroundings.
Professional conduct
Security officers should be courteous but firm with motorists, pedestrians, and workers. They should also have a sense of responsibility for the safety of the work crew and the general public.
To properly direct traffic, security officers should stand facing the traffic under their control, in a position where they can be easily seen. They should use the standard signals to indicate what actions they want the motorist, pedestrian, or equipment operator to perform. A security officer should never, under any circumstances, use a cell phone for personal calls while performing his or her duties. This distraction could lead to disastrous results.
Traffic control violations
You should keep accurate records of incidents while you are controlling traffic so you can provide the information to the police. Record violations of your instructions and note information about the violators. The more information that you have, the easier it will be for police to take care of the problem.
In order of importance, you should note:
• License plate number
• Province or state of origin
• Make and color of vehicle
• Description of the driver
• Time of day during which it occurred
• Names and telephone numbers of witnesses
It will be easier to record this information if you place a strip of masking tape on the handle of your paddle. Write temporary notes on it, and transfer them to your notebook as a permanent record.
Dangerous goods and other hazards
When you are controlling traffic, hazardous situations will occasionally develop. It is important that you are able to identify the hazards involved and respond quickly to the incident to ensure the safety of workers and the public. This section covers emergency procedures for the following types of hazardous incidents:
• Transportation of dangerous goods
• Hazardous spills
• Broken gas lines and mains
• Broken sewer lines and water mains
• Downed or broken power lines
Procedures
Follow these basic procedures if a hazardous spill occurs around your work zone:
1. Do not take undue risks:
a. Do not approach or investigate until the hazard and/or material has been identified.
b. Do not touch, taste, or smell material if it has not been identified.
c. Remain upwind and uphill of spill if possible.
2. Direct traffic around the spill if possible.
3. Information to gather if you are reporting a hazardous spill:
a. Type of terrain (include ditch, creek, river, lake, etc.).
b. Type of dangerous goods label and placard, if visible.
4. Notify your supervisor.
Broken gas lines and mains
When you are selecting a position for controlling traffic, position yourself further back from the work area so you can stop traffic if the line is broken. It is also important to look for an alternate emergency route that will allow you to escape away from the broken gas line.
A broken gas main is very hazardous because the pressure of the gas could cause a widespread explosion. Stop all traffic and make sure that workers and motorists stay well back from the area.
Broken sewer lines and water mains
When a sewer line is broken, the effluent from it is possibly toxic. Stay away from the area and wait for directions from your traffic control supervisor or the crew foreman.
Broken water mains can be hazardous because the water may undermine the road structure. It is important that you communicate with the crew to see if there are any hazards that may be encountered in their work. This will allow you to plan traffic control procedures for possible incidents ahead of time.
Summary
One of the many duties a security officer may be assigned to is traffic control. It is essential that each officer:
1. Have and maintain the proper personal protective equipment:
a. Headgear
b. Eyewear
c. Earplugs
d. Reflective vests
e. Particle or cartridge style mask
2. Have and maintain any other required equipment:
a. Water bottle
b. Rain gear
c. Sunscreen
d. Whistle
e. Air horn
f. Lip balm
g. Insect repellent
h. Bandages
i. Antiseptic cream
j. Spare socks and gloves
k. Pen and notebook
3. Properly use traffic control devices and equipment:
a. Paddles
b. Flashlights
c. Communication devices
d. Recording material
4. Properly use channeling devices:
a. Flexible drums
b. Cones and tubular markers
c. Flashing arrow boards
d. Floodlights
5. Use signaling devices:
a. Traffic control paddles
b. Whistles
c. Flashlights and signaling wands
d. Hand signals
e. Radios
6. Act in a professional manner
7. Keep accurate records
8. Have knowledge of how to manage dangerous goods, broken gas and sewer lines and mains
9. Record information if a traffic control violation is observed:
a. License plate number
b. Province or state of origin
c. Make and color of vehicle
d. Description of the driver
e. Time of the day during which it occurred
f. Names and telephone numbers of witnesses
Exercises
1. What PPE is required for traffic control?
2. What personal traffic control equipment is necessary to direct traffic?
3. What are channeling devices and how are they used?
4. What are the two most important things to consider when choosing a position to perform traffic control?
5. What information should be noted if an officer observes a traffic control violation?
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