“Safe practices are critical at all times,” Sterndahl says, “no matter if you’re working near traffic or on a building project.”

Mistakes Add Up in 2010

35%      Road-construction injuries caused by contact with objects or equipment

106          Workplace fatalities at road-construction sites

60%        Injury crashes between 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

87,606  Crashes in work zones

– FHWA Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program’s data from 2010

Back to the Basics

After you and your crew have spotted some of the hidden hazards, it’s also important to remember the more-common safety practices.

• Always pay attention to the traffic, and never turn your back on it.

• Keep something, such as a barrier, between you and the road whenever possible. Don’t expose yourself to the traffic.

• Stay alert to any equipment changes.

• Wear the appropriate safety gear and high-visibility apparel: boots, gloves and vest.

• Designate a crewmember to keep the working area clear: An equipment operator who is concentrating on digging a hole might not be focused on the employees working around him.

• Assign a traffic-control supervisor to be responsible for the overall safety of the work-zone setup.