A temporary work zone is a short-term and stationary work area that is occupied within a specific period for the completion of a particular project. These are common when doing road work and repairs. The portion of the road that is undergoing repair is temporarily closed off from traffic to allow workers to work and to ensure they can work without disruptions. The presence of temporary work zones can disrupt the flow of traffic, which is why the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends guidelines to follow when doing road work.
An efficient traffic control system should be implemented in the temporary work zone to ensure that you can minimize road hazards and inconvenience to the public. Below, you will learn the valid reasons you need to hire an experienced traffic signaling guard for road works in Toronto.
Traffic Signallers Ensure Efficient Traffic Flow in Temporary Work Zones
The primary reason for hiring traffic signalers in Toronto is to safely and efficiently facilitate traffic within the temporary work zone. Road users must be able to use the public road facilities without any problems and without compromising their safety, whether the project is for public roads or as a part of a construction project.
The use of traffic signal guards can make this process as efficient as possible. There will be temporary traffic control plans that will be assigned within that immediate area affected by the temporary work zones. The traffic signalers are tasked with implementing the re-routing scheme employed in these areas.
Traffic signalers in Toronto will assist in temporary traffic control by installing various work zone safety signs and ensuring that those signs are implemented. Their knowledge and expertise allow them to intelligently and reliably guide the flow of traffic to avoid any untoward roadway incidents.
Traffic Signallers Ensure the Safety of the Vehicles and Pedestrians
Aside from maintaining the flow of traffic in the temporary work zones, traffic signalers are important because they protect the safety of everyone – from vehicles to pedestrians. There should be adequate physical blockage and traffic signs installed in the temporary work zones to warn passing vehicles about how the traffic will be redirected. The goal is to provide immediate boundaries for the motor vehicle blocking pedestrians and the work zones.
Traffic guards are available to assist pedestrians in crossing the streets or navigating around the blockages, day or night. The safety of motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists should be made a priority when re-directing traffic in temporary work zones. Therefore, they must be physically available to offer assistance and not just rely on traffic management signs and blockages such as temporary barriers and cones.
Traffic Signallers Ensure the Safety of Workers
The safety of motor vehicles and pedestrians is not the sole concern in managing traffic in a temporary work zone. The safety of the workers in the road repair or construction site is also a top priority when designing revised traffic control plans. Traffic signalers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the workplace by re-directing traffic to new routes and mitigating any roadway incidents on the site.
The presence of traffic guards and signalers is just one measure to protect the safety of workers on site. There should also be a proper work zone layout, especially if the work zone is stationed in a high-traffic area of Toronto. The highway work zone must comply with the existing guidelines to ensure workers’ safety.
In addition, all employees must undergo training in work zone safety so they can identify hazards and understand how to mitigate them. Every worker must be fully knowledgeable and trained to combat safety hazards.
Meanwhile, an internal traffic control plan should be set in place. Traffic signalers are responsible for facilitating the flow of traffic outside the temporary work zones. However, you also need an internal traffic control plan to minimize workplace injuries when dealing with heavy equipment or vehicles on the project site.
Other Uses for Traffic Signallers in Toronto
The services of traffic signalers in Toronto are not only beneficial in temporary work zones, there are also many other potential uses for their service.
One example is during an emergency response. When there is an emergency, you must re-route traffic to provide emergency crews with a safe area to respond to the emergency. Some examples would be flooding for an entire block, snow storms, and power outages. Traffic control services can facilitate the safe re-routing of traffic within the area impacted by the emergency. You must handle the traffic in a timely and organized manner to avoid untoward incidents.
Traffic control guards can also be helpful during special events such as parades, street festivals, sporting events etc. These events are fun, but they are notorious for causing traffic nightmares for motorists. Traffic signalers can ease the chaos, especially as some motorists can grow impatient. A well-facilitated traffic re-routing plan can keep everyone safe on the road.
Finally, traffic signalers can also be helpful in rolling slowdown traffic conditions. This condition is common when emergency crews respond to road accidents or need to do a cleanup of roads. Traffic signalers can make rolling slowdowns go smoothly for the safety of the emergency crew and the motorists passing the area.
How to Choose a Traffic Signalling Guard Service?
Hiring a traffic signaling guard service in Toronto is non-negotiable since you need it for compliance purposes. However, the quality of the service you hire will determine how effective they are in delivering the benefits listed above to your company.
You must understand that installing temporary work zones, whether for roadway or construction projects, entails a huge investment. Therefore, you have to be critical when choosing traffic signalers in Toronto so you can protect that investment.
The Occupational Health & Safety Act in Canada has outlined a set of criteria for traffic control and signaling. You can use this as a guideline for what to look for in a traffic signaler. The most basic requirement is that the guard must have completed traffic control and signaling training. In addition to theoretical training, the guards you hire must have on-the-job training. The hands-on training will ensure that they can cope with the stress and challenges of working on the site.