Patty's Business Blog

Doing construction work on the road can be incredibly dangerous, and as a roadworks manager or owner of a construction company, it's up to you to ensure your employees are safe. Truck-mounted attenuators are an essential part of this process.

They feature a crash barrier that absorbs the energy of the oncoming vehicle, preventing it from barrelling into your crew, and when they are mounted on a truck, you can easily move the barrier as needed. However, in most cases, you may want to augment the barrier with other equipment. Try these ideas.

1. Traffic Plan

Even before you start putting up physical barriers, you need to create a traffic rerouting plan that keeps your crew safe. Ideally, that should involve routing the traffic around the crew, but more importantly, it should involve notifying the drivers of the new route long before they reach the construction area.

For instance, if you are closing one lane, you want to give drivers ample time to move to the side. The less notice they have, the more likely is it that there will be crashes or other issues that could affect your drivers.

2. Signage

In this regard, signage is essential. You need arrows, signs that say "work ahead", signs that restrict speed limits and signs relaying any other messages you believe are essential. If you are moving traffic to the side, you may even want an illuminated arrow attached to your truck-mounted attenuator. When the arrow is attached to the truck-mounted attenuator, you don't have to move as much equipment down the road.

3. Traffic Barrier System

While the truck-mounted attenuator is great to set at one end of the construction area, you may want protective items lining the area as well. Cue traffic barriers.

Traffic barriers are interlocking barriers that you stretch along the side of the road. They can come in plastic or concrete. If a car veers toward the crew, the barriers stop them.

4. Lights

Especially for night crews, lights are essential. They allow your workers to see, and they also reduce the risk of crashes by making your crew more visible.

5. Personal Safety Gear

Finally, you shouldn't use any of the above items exclusively on their own. Every worker should also be outfitted with personal protective gear. Ideally, they should wear vests and jackets that keep them illuminated as well as the usual hardhats and steel-toed boots.