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Each state manages work zone safety differently. Use the chart below to determine if additional requirements apply to your operations
Federal regulatory citation(s)
- 1926.200(g) – Traffic control signs and devices
- 1926.201(a) – Flaggers
- 1926.651(d) – Exposure to vehicular traffic
- 1926.6 – Incorporation by reference, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), 2009 Edition
NOTE: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) defines national standards for the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel.
The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD being published in the Federal Register, effective January 15, 2010. States were required to adopt it by 2012. Employers must review Part 6 of the 2023 MUTCD manual to ensure they comply with the requirements for each unique location and setup.
OSHA specifically requires road construction workers and workers who are exposed to vehicular traffic to wear high-visibility clothing (per citations above). However, any worker in a construction zone may be in danger of injury from moving traffic. The FHWA’s Worker Visibility Rule (23 CFR 634) states:
All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel.
Therefore, employers should require high-visibility apparel for all workers in a road construction zone, under the Worker Visibility Rule as well as OSHA’s General Duty Clause.
Also note: Some states have requirements for work zones and flaggers that fall under the state’s Department of Transportation regulations, in addition to the OSHA-related requirements listed here.
State comparison
State
Adherence to federal regulations
State regulatory citation
State-specific requirements
Operates an OSHA-approved state plan above and beyond federal regulation
Cal/OSHA Title 8, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4, Construction Safety Orders
California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2014, Rev. 8 – Part 6
Yes. View state
Incorporated by reference with additional standard
Yes. View state
Incorporated by reference
Yes. View state
Incorporated by reference for public sector employees. Follows federal for private sector employees.
None
None. View topic
Incorporated by reference
Yes. View state
Incorporated by reference for public sector employees. Follows federal for private sector employees.
None
None. View topic
Incorporated by reference and has additional unique state standards
Yes. View state
Incorporates most by reference and has additional unique state standards
MAR 5207.0100 - High visibility PPE
MAR 5207.1000 - Operation of mobile earth-moving equipment
Yes. View state
Incorporated by reference for public sector employees. Follows federal for private sector employees
None
None. View topic
Incorporated by reference for public sector employees. Follows federal for private sector employees.
None
None. View topic
Incorporated by reference with additional standards
OAR 437-003-0420, Traffic control
OAR 437-003-0134(7)(a), High visibility garments
Oregon Temporary Traffic Control Handbook for Operations of Three Days or Less
Yes. View state
Follows federal
Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 6, Revision 2, 2014
Yes. View state
Incorporated by reference
Yes. View state
Operates an OSHA-approved State Plan above and beyond federal regulation
Chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety standards for construction work; Part E, Signaling and flaggers
Chapter 468-95 WAC, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (WA state amendments)
Yes. View state
** = State plan for is state and local government workers only; private and federal workers covered by federal OSHA.