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Traffic barricades and signaling on highway construction jobs

Summary An OSHA memorandum explained which construction standards apply to traffic control on highway projects. It assigned barricade design and application to section 1926.202 and missing or insufficient signs, signals, barricades, flaggers, or other controls to section 1926.201. It said adequate combined controls could satisfy the latter standard.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1991-07-24
Date issued
July 24, 1991
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document that may no longer represent policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Construction Traffic Control
Source
View the official document

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

July 24, 1991

MEMORANDUM FOR: DANIEL MICK
COUNSEL FOR TRIAL AND OSHRC LITIGATION
OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR

ATTENTION: ORLANDO PANNOCHIA

FROM: ROY F. GURNHAM, DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF CONSTRUCTION AND MARITIME COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE

SUBJECT: Application of 29 CFR 1926.201 signaling and 29 CFR 1926.202 Barricades to Highway Construction Projects.

29 CFR 1926.202 Barricades. Use this standard for citations pertaining to the design or application of barriers. The American National Standards Institute D6.1-1971, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways referenced in the standard lists 2 applications where barricades shall be used. (See section 6C-7 Barricade application)
29 CFR 1926.201 Signaling. This standard is to be used to cite for lack of signs, signals, barricades, flagmen or other appropriate traffic controls.
If signs, signals, and barricades are being used and they do not provide the necessary protection, then flagmen or other appropriate traffic controls shall be required. However, if signs, signals, barricades, and flagmen or other appropriate traffic controls are being used, the employer would be in compliance.

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