They say you get only one first impression, so make it a good one. While you are focused on your project within a work zone, who is acting as the face of your company while protecting your employees and the traveling public? The right traffic control partner should assure your team—and the traveling public—that they’re professionals. One of the first things you can do to assess the quality of your traffic control partner is looking at the condition of their personal protective equipment (PPE) and traffic control devices.
First and foremost, the condition of PPE and traffic control devices is a safety matter. Any time the visibility of safety equipment is reduced, it diminishes its ability to assist in protecting your employees, your equipment, and the traveling public. What’s more, dirty and damaged equipment looks unprofessional.
Selecting the right partner should not only keep you safe but also aid in raising the public’s image of your company.
How do you know when a piece of equipment does not meet the standards of safety and quality? Shown are examples of equipment in acceptable, marginal, and unsafe conditions.
PPE
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ACCEPTABLE | MARGINAL | UNSAFE |
Traffic Control Devices
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ACCEPTABLE | MARGINAL | UNSAFE |
The item is in new or excellent condition with very minor wear or dirt. Any high-visibility area is clean, and retroreflective components are 100% intact. | The item has visible wear, dirt, and abrasions. It looks used, not new. The high-visibility areas have dirt and scrapes, which reduce the item’s impact. Retroreflective components show wear. It is still safe and effective but no longer looks professional. This kind of equipment is suspect and should be cleaned or replaced. | The item looks very worn and dirty. It is dull, and its visibility is diminished. The retroreflective components are missing in areas and dull. The item is no longer providing effective safety in the field and must be replaced immediately. |
Flagger Force® is recognized as an industry leading, short-term traffic control company in the eastern United States. The company was founded in 2002 by entrepreneurs with a handful of employees; one pickup truck; and the equipment needed to control traffic. Today, Flagger Force establishes safe work zones with its crew centric model with an employee base of 1,900 full-time professionals. Their safety standards are embraced by industry stakeholders and allow them to continuously expand their geographic reach. Flagger Force has the best-in-class resources and expertise to help support the nation’s infrastructure, utilities, and other service industries. For more information, visit FlaggerForce.com.