Highway Work Zone Safety

Key points

Work zones are dangerous for workers and for motorists who drive through them. Employers, workers, and drivers can keep highway work zones safe.

Highway work zone worker

Why it's important

A work zone is an area of a highway with construction, maintenance, or utility work activities. It often includes:

  • Signs
  • Channelizing devices
  • Barriers
  • Pavement markings
  • Work vehicles

Workers might be struck by a passing motorist or by construction equipment.

What we know

In 2022 the following occurred in work zones:123

  • About 96,000 crashes
  • About 37,000 injuries
  • 891 fatal injuries
  • 136 pedestrian fatal injuries; 105 were workers

Construction equipment visibility

Get diagrams to assist in visualizing areas around construction vehicles and equipment.

Resources

View our free resources related to highway work zone safety.

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Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  1. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
  2. General Estimates System and Crash Report Sampling System, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
  3. The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Work Zone Data.