Work Zone Safety – Night Construction Work

Reduced visibility during night construction can increase the amount time it takes for a motorist to see and respond to work activity taking place on or near the roadway. Other factors that can affect a driver’s ability to respond effectively to night construction work activity include age, experience, mental condition, physical condition, weather and familiarity with the roadway.

Reduced visibility during night construction work can also affect an equipment operator’s ability to see and respond effectively to the activity taking place around them. It is important to follow the worker safety plan for night construction work activity which should include the following:

High-Visibility Safety Apparel

  • ANSI Class 3 shirt or vest, as the outermost clothing. Replace these when faded, worn, dirty or defaced.
  • ANSI high-visibility gaiters or bands around the ankles.
  • Hard hat with reflective tape or work light attachment.

ANSI Class 3 apparel and high visibility gaiters place the reflective material on the arms and legs in a design that conveys biological motion (body movement). Road workers wearing biomotion clothing are recognized at significantly longer distances than the standard vest alone.

Temporary Work Area Lighting

  • Light the work area and approaches to provide visibility for motorists to safely travel through the work zone.
  • Illuminate work activity areas where workers are present to make them visible.
  • Control glare so as not to interfere with the visibility of the work zone by drivers and workers.

Vehicle Lighting

Ensure all lighting and supplemental lighting on construction vehicles and equipment is in good working order.

Activity Within the Construction Site

Night construction activity can also create limited visibility for equipment operators and other construction vehicles.

  • Ensure back up alarms are working correctly.
  • Be aware than equipment blind spots/zones can increase during night work.
  • Use spotters when backing equipment to prevent run overs or back overs.
  • Don’t walk behind or between operating or moving equipment and vehicles.
  • Be aware of the greater chance for trips and falls while walking on the construction site.
  • Follow the temporary traffic control plan and the worker safety plan for night construction work activity.
  • Know the details of the project’s emergency action plan.

Download the printable PDF and recording form here.

Hands Free Indiana Partnership

Indiana has had a do not text and drive law since 2011. To make things even safer for motorists, starting July 1, Indiana will go completely hands-free with telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle. Learn more at http://handsfreeindiana.com.

ICI has partnered with Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Police, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Motor Truck Association and ACEC Indiana to help ensure safer work zones for Hoosier infrastructure and transportation construction workers.

Take a look at the fact sheet and FAQs.

LEOs Critical to Work Zone Safety

ICI/INDOT Region Joint Cooperative Committee members continue to focus on work zone safety efforts in work zones. The North, South, and Central committees continue to support the use of law enforcement officers (LEOs) to protect workers and the motoring public. Improved communication among project level staff and LEOs at preconstruction, progress and prior to daily operations is the key that the committees stressed to improve perspectives, expectations and efficiency.

To learn more about committee discussion, click on the meeting minutes.

Please contact Dan Osborn for additional information, to discuss the content of the minutes or present new topics for future meetings.

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