Emergency Procedures
Emergencies can occur at any time in a traffic management environment. Collisions, vehicle intrusions, medical incidents, or severe weather can develop in seconds—leaving no time to think. The key to surviving and minimizing harm is preparation and fast, organized response.
Every worker must know exactly what to do when an emergency occurs. This includes understanding the site’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP), knowing who to contact, and maintaining calm, clear communication.
Your goal in any emergency is simple: protect life first, then secure the area, and finally restore safe operations.
Types of Emergencies in Work Zones
Traffic management workers must be prepared to handle a wide variety of emergencies, including:
- Vehicle crashes involving the work zone or workers.
- Worker injuries or medical emergencies.
- Equipment or material fires.
- Hazardous material spills.
- Extreme weather events such as lightning, high winds, or flooding.
- Driver intrusions (vehicles entering closed lanes or buffer zones).
- Aggressive or impaired motorists.
Each scenario requires immediate and coordinated action to prevent escalation.
The Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Every job site must have an Emergency Action Plan developed by the employer or site supervisor. The EAP identifies how emergencies will be handled and who will do what.
All traffic management workers must know:
- The location of the EAP on site.
- The names and contact numbers of supervisors and emergency coordinators.
- The physical address or GPS coordinates of the jobsite.
- The fastest route for emergency vehicle access and exit.
- The location of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and eye wash stations.
- The designated meeting point (assembly area) for evacuation.
Supervisors must review the EAP during orientation and refresher training, and again whenever job locations change.
Immediate Actions During an Emergency
When an emergency occurs, every second matters. Workers must respond quickly, decisively, and in the correct sequence.
Step 1: Ensure Personal Safety
- Stop what you are doing and move to a safe location.
- Stay out of live traffic lanes and away from equipment movement.
- Use your escape route—never assume vehicles will stop for you.
Step 2: Warn Others
- Use your radio or hand signals to alert coworkers: “Emergency—stop all traffic!”
- If possible, activate warning devices such as air horns, whistles, or flashing lights.
- Signal approaching vehicles to stop using paddles or flags, but do not endanger yourself to do so.
Step 3: Notify Emergency Services
- Call 911 immediately. Provide your name, job title, and location.
- Give precise details: roadway name, nearest mile marker, direction of travel, and nature of the incident.
- If cell service is limited, contact dispatch or your supervisor by radio to relay the call.
Step 4: Secure the Area
- Stop all traffic entering the affected zone.
- Keep bystanders and workers clear of the hazard.
- Use cones, barricades, or vehicles to block additional traffic if it can be done safely.
- Do not move injured persons unless they are in immediate danger (e.g., fire, explosion risk).
Step 5: Provide Basic Aid (If Trained)
- Apply first aid only if you are trained and it is safe to do so.
- Do not exceed your level of training—wait for emergency responders.
- Keep the injured worker calm and still.
Step 6: Assist Emergency Responders
Guide ambulances, police, or fire units to the scene.
Provide clear access routes and keep other vehicles out of the way.
Follow instructions from law enforcement and emergency personnel without hesitation.
Communication During an Emergency
Clear, calm, and accurate communication saves lives. Panic or unclear radio calls can delay response.
When reporting an emergency:
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- State: “This is [your name] at [project location]. We have an emergency [describe type]. We need assistance immediately.”
- Provide details on the number of people injured and any ongoing hazards (e.g., fire, traffic intrusion, hazardous materials).
- Maintain radio silence after your report except for updates requested by the supervisor or emergency personnel.
If multiple flaggers are on site, one should remain focused on controlling approaching traffic while another handles communication and scene management.
Medical Emergencies
If a worker suffers a medical emergency such as heat illness, fainting, or a heart attack:
- Stop traffic and clear the area.
- Call 911 immediately.
- Move the worker to a safe location if possible and provide shade or comfort.
- Retrieve first aid kits and assist as trained.
- Assign someone to meet emergency responders at the access point.
- Document the incident once the situation is under control.
Supervisors must ensure that at least one trained first aid responder is present during every shift.
Vehicle Intrusion or Collision in the Work Zone
When a vehicle enters the work area unexpectedly or strikes barriers:
- Shout or radio: “Vehicle in the zone!”
- Move all workers to safety immediately.
- Do not attempt to physically stop the vehicle.
- Once the scene is clear, contact emergency services.
- Provide the vehicle description and direction of travel if the driver leaves the scene.
- Do not disturb evidence or debris until police arrive.
After the scene is secure, flaggers may need to assist law enforcement with redirecting traffic around the crash.
Fire or Explosion
If a fire occurs from a vehicle, fuel source, or equipment:
- Move all workers and vehicles upwind and away from the fire.
- If safe to do so, use a fire extinguisher rated for Class B (flammable liquids) or Class C (electrical) fires.
- Never attempt to fight large fires or those involving chemicals.
- Call 911 immediately and notify the supervisor.
Do not re-enter the area until cleared by fire officials.
Hazardous Material Spills
Traffic control zones sometimes overlap with utilities or transport routes carrying hazardous materials.
If a spill or leak occurs:
- Move workers upwind and away from the source.
- Avoid direct contact with liquids or vapors.
- Keep ignition sources (vehicles, tools, cigarettes) far away.
- Notify the supervisor and call emergency services.
- Provide placard numbers or vehicle markings to responders if visible.
Do not attempt cleanup unless specifically trained and authorized under HAZWOPER procedures.
Severe Weather and Natural Events
Weather can quickly create emergency conditions such as lightning, flash floods, or high winds.
Lightning:
- Stop all work immediately and move workers to vehicles or enclosed shelters.
- Stay clear of metal objects, light towers, and equipment.
- Do not resume work until 30 minutes after the last observed lightning strike.
High Winds:
- Secure or lower cones, signs, and temporary structures.
- Avoid working near cranes or elevated loads.
Flooding or Storm Surge:
- Evacuate low-lying areas immediately.
- Never attempt to walk or drive through moving water.
- Follow local emergency management instructions.
Supervisors should continuously monitor weather conditions and stop work when hazards exceed safe limits.
Post-Emergency Recovery and Documentation
Once the emergency is under control, follow these post-incident steps:
- Confirm that all workers are accounted for.
- Assist supervisors and responders with incident reports.
- Do not resume work until authorized by the competent person or project manager.
- Replace or repair any damaged traffic control devices.
- Participate in a debrief or review meeting to discuss lessons learned.
Accurate documentation helps prevent future incidents and demonstrates compliance with OSHA reporting requirements.
Worker Responsibilities During Emergencies
Each traffic management worker must:
- Know the site’s emergency procedures and routes.
- Keep radios and communication tools functional at all times.
- Stay calm and act quickly when danger arises.
- Follow supervisor or law enforcement instructions.
- Never leave the scene until released by a supervisor.
Preparedness and quick action are what turn a potentially fatal situation into a controlled and manageable event.
Key Takeaways for Emergency Procedures
- Know the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for every site you work on.
- Protect yourself first—never become another victim.
- Stop traffic and communicate immediately when danger arises.
- Contact emergency services quickly and give precise information.
- Keep clear of hazardous areas until authorities give clearance.
- Always report and review every emergency, no matter how small.
By planning ahead, communicating effectively, and reacting calmly, traffic management workers can save lives—their own, their coworkers’, and the public’s.