How to reduce risk in construction zones »

Posted 2024-08-01

Of all the dangers in a work zone, there is one that causes over half of worker deaths in construction sites.

Just how many deaths are we talking about? About 1 per week in the U.S. for this particular hazard.

It’s not ladders, trips and falls, or electrocution…

Workers on foot struck by moving vehicles is the #1 cause of worker fatalities in construction zones. Now, that can be any moving vehicle; from within the work zone or from the public traffic moving by.

Workers (especially flaggers) are in a HIGH RISK situation...but there are ways to fight back.

Here are three things crews can do to reduce the risks of struck-by-vehicle hazards - including dump trucks and distracted drivers on TikTok.



#1. Improve worker visibility

If your crew can’t be seen, the struck-by risk is HIGH.


  • Everyone should be wearing ANSI Class 2 or 3 hi-viz garments (vests, sweatshirts, coats, rain gear, etc.). *Check the tag for the classification

  • Night work should be illuminated.

  • Think about sight lines of oncoming traffic; are you hidden behind curves, hills, trees, or equipment?

Make it easy for everyone to be seen!



#2. Use proper traffic control

Creating (and maintaining!) a barrier that separates the work space from the designated traffic space is critical. Make sure it is done right!


  • Traffic control equipment (signs, cones, barricades, etc.) should clearly AID drivers; Alert, Inform, Direct. Just follow the MUTCD specs and you’ll be fine.

  • The work zone should not be crammed. Make room for the work and for equipment to move around.

  • Use an empty buffer space between crews and oncoming traffic to protect yourself from those drivers with late reactions.

Traffic control equipment, properly applied, is highly effective at keeping you safe.



#3. Use a Job Safety Analysis (JSAs)

Documentation and planning go a long way to confront risk before the task starts.


  • Plan out the steps of each task.

  • Predict the risk posed in each step.

  • Suggest controls to reduce the risk (starting with engineering controls first!).

Honestly, JSAs are super boring. But they are one of the best risk-reduction exercises we have.



Now before you go, think about this…

From 2020 through 2022, there were 319 workers killed in road construction sites in the US. 165 of them were on foot and killed by a moving vehicle. Statistically, that’s one worker every week.

Road construction sites are dangerous.


But remember that you can take control and reduce the risk for your crews.

One Thing Flaggers Must Do Before Releasing Traffic »

Posted 2024-07-02

There’s something missing from the flagger manual.

And it’s proof that specs and standards are important, but the reality of the actual job site demands more than “knowing the book.”

There’s a critical action that flaggers should take before flipping that STOP sign to SLOW and releasing their waiting traffic. I teach it in every flagging class. Every flagger should do it every time;

Look over your shoulder, making sure that the path is clear.

It sounds so simple.

And it is!

But it’s so easy to overlook. The flagger is out there in the sun and rain for hours. Hundreds of vehicles a day; dozens of paddle flips in a shift…it’s easy to miss a thing or two.

And I’m not expecting perfection, but…

In this work we make life and death decisions. When we mess up, there’s a risk of serious injury (or worse) to ourselves, our co-workers, and the road-using public.

The flagger’s job is to make sure that drivers have a safe path. The flagger must LOOK at that path for traffic to make sure it’s safe.

When the flagger checks over his shoulder, he’s making checking that none of these are in the way:


There could be anything on the road…anything.

Most of the time it will be just fine; all clear and ready for traffic. But the one time you don’t check, and send cars headfirst into a flood of pancake syrup…I guarantee it’s going to be on the news.

If you’re flagging (or managing flaggers), make it a habit to check over that shoulder every time.

If you need training and certification for your flaggers, give us a call at 812-283-6461 or reach out to Matt (matt@peytonsbarricade.com).


Are there rules about what traffic cones to use? »

Posted 2023-11-22


You’ve got a project coming up that’s close to a roadway. And now you need traffic cones to protect your crew and equipment.

But what kind of cones do you need? How tall? What color?

This isn’t like picking furniture. There are some rules and you can’t just go with what looks good.

All of the following guidance comes from the current 2009 version of the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). It establishes the standards for what’s allowed on public roads in the United States.

But…some states may have higher standards. Check your state’s MUTCD or supplement before you buy!



What COLOR traffic cone do I need?

Orange. You need orange cones. If you’re doing temporary work on or near a roadway, cones are required to be orange.

But what about cones on private property? Or in a warehouse?

In those cases you can use whatever color you want! Cones are available in other colors!

What SIZE traffic cone do I need?

The size of the cone depends on two things: the speed of the roadway, and the time of day you need them.

If roads are low speed and if your work is in the daytime, cones must be a minimum of 18” tall. Low speed is any roadway 40 miles per hour and below.

If the speeds are higher OR if your work happens during dark hours, you’ll need cones that are at least 28” tall.

36” tall cones are great for higher speeds and better visibility (but not required by the Indiana MUTCD).



What about traffic cone REFLECTIVITY?

So you’ll be working out there at night? Your 28” orange cones need one more thing…retro-reflective bands.

White retro-reflective bands around the cones make them super reflective for drivers to see.

If you’re working at night, they need to be bright!

So, what cones do you need?

18” cones are great if you’re doing work like:


  • Sealcoating
  • Parking lot painting
  • Installing cable to houses in residential neighborhoods

Always in the daytime and always on low speed roads (and personally, I would only use them on low volume roads)

But if you’re ever going to do work out on the road I highly recommend the 28” cones with retro-reflective bands.

You might not always work at night or at high speeds. But one day you’ll get a project that goes a few hours after dusk. Or is on a 45MPH road.

When that day comes you’ll need to go taller than 18”

Those 28” reflective cones work day or night and are great for most roadway speeds.


Welcome To Peyton's Barricade »

Posted 2023-02-02

We are Kentuckiana's go-to choice for all traffic control and safety needs. Our company services a wide range of customers, events, and companies working in every season, every day, and every hour, year after year. We strive to always deliver high quality service, in a timely manner, with dedication to safety and efficiency.

With our Traffic and Safety services we go above and beyond time and time over for each client. Our services include:

  • Coordination and custom traffic planning
  • Traffic Control Set Up
  • Strategic Special Event Coordination
  • Traffic Sign Installation
  • Custom Sign Design and Installation
  • Customized Apparel
  • Radar Signs for Pedestrian Crossing
  • And much more!

If you’re looking for a trusted and experienced company to assist you with your event, Peyton’s Barricade is always the right choice.