Working In Traffic

Temporary Traffic Control Procedures

This document provides guidance on how to protect employees or students that may be exposed to the hazards of working in traffic, and information for compliance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Section 6, Temporary Traffic Control Devices: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2003r1/pdf-index.htm. These control measures are general and specific jobs may require a pre job briefing to assess traffic control measures. Such factors as weather, specific location on campus and traffic speed may require additional control measures such as directional arrow boards or use of road signs. Vehicles used during temporary traffic control measures must be outfitted with either a rotating strobic light, or high intensity flashing LED lights. A vehicles 4 way hazard lights may not be used instead of high intensity LED lights.

If work in traffic is during the daytime and the tasks being performed allow workers to devote time to watch traffic patterns while doing their job the following traffic control options are available.

  • When working in parking lots or garages, mowing near the road, or doing such tasks as parking at special events, or working around mobile equipment
    • Workers shall wear at least ANSI Class II garment.
  • If work will be at one location for less than one hour and in front of the vehicle or off the road:
    • Vehicles shall have either a strobic light or high intensity flashing LED lights
    • Workers shall wear at least ANSI Class II garment
  • If work will be in one location for more than one hour, but not more than a shift, OR if work must be performed behind the vehicle for any duration:
    • Vehicles shall have either a strobic light or high intensity flashing LED lights
    • Traffic cones are placed in the road tapering back from 20 feet
    • Worker has on ANSI Class II high visibility clothing
If one lane of a two lane road needs to be temporarily closed the following options are available:
  • If it is determined that traffic can be self regulating, one lane can be closed and the site will be treated like a 4 way stop (one car goes from each way at a time).
  • If it is determined that traffic will not be self regulating, yield or stop signs may be placed to get the one car at a time traffic flow.
  • MSU Police can put a police car on site and provide brief lane closures and traffic control.
When work in traffic is at night, or when the tasks being performed do not allow workers to devote time to watch traffic patterns:
  • Vehicles shall have either a strobic light or high intensity flashing LED lights
  • Workers shall wear in ANSI Class III garment
  • Traffic cones with reflective surface shall be set up 20-30 feet back

During an initial site assessment for possible utility emergency, or other short duration lane closure the above controls would be used and MSU Police can be called if any road needs to be shut down until the extent of road work is known and a contractor called in as needed. MSU employees, except the Police Department, shall refrain from directing traffic in any form, or acting as a traffic flagger.

If temporary traffic control will last more than one day:

  • Call in a road barricading/traffic control contractor to conduct the temporary traffic control.
  • This does not apply if the road is open when work is not being done.

Occupational