Road & Highway Construction

Road crews work feet away from traffic moving at highway speeds, surrounded by their own heavy equipment, often at night. Struck-by incidents are the leading cause of death.

• Construction
• Road Work

Top hazards

• Struck by passing vehicles (including impaired and distracted drivers)
• Struck by or caught between construction equipment inside the work zone
• Heat, sun and asphalt burns
• Silica from milling and concrete cutting
• Night work: low visibility and fatigue

Key practices

• Use the traffic control plan, positive protection where possible, and truck-mounted attenuators. See Work Zones.
• Plan internal traffic: one-way routes, back-up limits, spotters.
• Wear Class 3 hi-vis at night and in high-speed areas.
• Never turn your back to traffic when you can avoid it; have an escape route.
• Use water on milling machines and saws. See Silica.

See also: Asphalt Paving, Rollers.

Types of road work

• Mobile operations: striping, sweeping, pothole patching and mowing that move along the road, often protected by a shadow vehicle with a truck-mounted attenuator.
• Short-term stationary: work in one spot for hours, with a lane closure.
• Long-term stationary: projects lasting days to years, with barriers and lane shifts.

Each needs a different traffic control setup under the MUTCD. See Work Zones.

Flagging

• Many states require flagger certification.
• Stand on the shoulder, visible to approaching traffic, with an escape route.
• Use a STOP/SLOW paddle, Class 3 apparel at night, and stay off your phone.
• Automated flagger assistance devices can keep flaggers out of the lane.

Laws that protect road crews

Most states have higher fines for speeding in work zones and move-over laws that require drivers to slow down or change lanes near roadside workers and vehicles. Some states use speed cameras in work zones. See Cars & Everyday Driving.

Daily checklist

• Traffic control set up per plan and checked by a driver’s-eye drive-through
• Internal traffic plan reviewed with all drivers and operators
• Hi-vis on everyone; Class 3 at night
• Escape routes identified
• Water and shade for heat; lighting for night work
• Silica controls on saws and milling machines

Last updated: October 1, 2026