Roadside Parking Safety
A safety talk focused on roadside parking hazards, including traffic exposure, vehicle placement, warning devices, visibility, shoulder stability, work zones, and safe entry and exit from vehicles.
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Key Hazards
- Workers struck by passing traffic
- Vehicles parked too close to travel lanes
- Poor visibility from hills, curves, darkness, weather, or traffic
- Unstable shoulders, soft ground, ditches, or drop-offs
- Drivers or workers exiting on the traffic side
- Blocked sight lines, driveways, intersections, or emergency access
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Roadside parking should be planned carefully because the parking location can expose workers and the public to traffic hazards.
Drivers should choose the safest available parking location, even if it means walking farther to the task.
Vehicles should be parked as far from moving traffic as practical. Narrow shoulders, curves, hills, bridges, intersections, and blind spots should be avoided when possible.
Warning lights, cones, signs, arrow boards, or other traffic control may be needed depending on the road, speed, visibility, and task.
Workers should exit on the side away from traffic when possible and should avoid standing between the vehicle and traffic.
High-visibility clothing should be worn when workers are near roadways, shoulders, parking lots, or public access areas.
Shoulder conditions should be checked. Soft ground, ditches, steep slopes, culverts, loose gravel, or washed-out edges can affect vehicle stability.
Safe roadside parking depends on visibility, separation from traffic, stable ground, warning devices, safe exit practices, and moving the vehicle if the location is not safe.
Safety Reminders
- Choose the safest available parking location.
- Park as far from traffic as practical.
- Avoid curves, hills, bridges, and blind spots when possible.
- Use warning lights or traffic control when needed.
- Exit away from traffic when possible.
- Wear high-visibility clothing near roadways.
- Check shoulder stability before parking.
Ask the Crew
- Is this the safest place to park?
- Can the vehicle be moved farther from traffic?
- Is visibility adequate for approaching drivers?
- Are warning devices or cones needed?
- Can workers exit and work without standing in traffic exposure?