Safe Work Around Parking Lots

• Workers struck by vehicles entering, exiting, or backing
• Pedestrian and public traffic near the work area
• Blind spots around parked vehicles, trucks, and equipment
• Poor visibility from darkness, weather, glare, or congestion
• Slips and trips from potholes, curbs, ice, gravel, or uneven pavement
• Drivers ignoring cones, signs, or temporary work areas

Parking lots can be hazardous work areas because vehicles, pedestrians, workers, equipment, and public access often share the same space. Drivers may be distracted, impatient, or focused on finding a parking space instead of watching for workers.

Workers should evaluate traffic flow before starting work. Entrances, exits, drive lanes, loading areas, pedestrian routes, and backing areas should be considered.

Temporary traffic control may be needed even for short tasks. Cones, signs, barricades, work vehicles, or spotters can help separate workers from moving vehicles.

Backing vehicles are a major hazard in parking lots. Workers should avoid standing behind vehicles, between parked cars, or in areas where drivers may reverse without a clear view.

Visibility can be poor because of parked vehicles, landscaping, darkness, rain, snow, glare, or heavy traffic. High-visibility clothing may be needed to help drivers and equipment operators see workers.

Parking lot surfaces can also create slip and trip hazards. Curbs, potholes, wheel stops, loose gravel, ice, oil, puddles, and uneven pavement should be watched closely.

Workers should stay alert to pedestrians and the public. People may walk through the work area, ignore cones, use phones, or fail to notice equipment and hazards.

Safe parking lot work depends on controlling the space. Make the work visible, separate workers from traffic, watch backing vehicles, and reassess the setup as traffic and conditions change.

• Identify vehicle and pedestrian traffic patterns.
• Use cones, signs, barricades, or spotters when needed.
• Wear high-visibility clothing when exposed to traffic.
• Stay out of backing paths and blind spots.
• Watch for curbs, potholes, ice, oil, and uneven pavement.
• Keep the public out of the work area when possible.
• Reassess traffic control as conditions change.

• Where are vehicles entering, exiting, turning, or backing?
• Is temporary traffic control needed for this task?
• Can drivers see workers early enough?
• Are pedestrians likely to walk through the work area?
• What surface hazards could cause slips or trips?