Handbook for
Construction Traffic
Control Persons
Revised 2022
The contents contained in this publication are for
general information only. This publication should not
be regarded or relied upon as a definitive guide to
government regulations or to safety practices and
procedures. The contents of this publication were,
to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of
printing. However, no representations of any kind are
made with regard to the accuracy, completeness,
or sufficiency of the contents. The appropriate
regulations and statutes should be consulted. Readers
should not act on the information contained herein
without seeking specific independent legal advice on
their specific circumstance. The Infrastructure Health
& Safety Association is pleased to answer individual
requests for counselling and advice.
© Infrastructure Health & Safety Association, 1981
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced,
in whole or in part, or stored in any material form, without the
express written permission of the copyright owner.
ISBN 978-1-894761-20-8
REVISED EDITION, February 1988
SECOND REVISED EDITION, August 1991
THIRD REVISED EDITION, July 2000
FOURTH REVISED EDITION, April 2003
FIFTH REVISED EDITION, April 2006
SIXTH REVISED EDITION, November 2010
SEVENTH REVISED EDITION, April 2013
EIGHTH REVISED EDITION, May 2014
NINTH REVISED EDITION, September 2022
Handbook for Construction
Traffic Control Persons
The 2022 edition of IHSA’s
Handbook for Construction
Traffic Control Persons
(B016) has been updated
to reflect the changes in
the April 2022 edition of
the Ontario Traffic Manual
(OTM) Book 7 – Temporary Conditions.
The contents are, to the best of our
knowledge, current at the time of
printing. However, readers are always
advised to consult the latest edition
of the Occupational Health and Safety
Act and Regulations for Construction
Projects (aka, the green book).
Date
Site
Location
Attention: Supervisors
Traffic control persons (TCPs) must be
given adequate written and oral instructions
regarding their duties. This handbook is
designed to help supervisors meet the
requirement for written instructions as set
out in the Construction Projects regulation
(O. Reg. 213/91, s.69(4)(d)):
69. (4) A worker who is required to direct
vehicular traffic,
(a) shall be a competent worker;
(b) shall not perform any other work while
directing vehicular traffic;
(c) shall be positioned in such a way that
he or she is endangered as little as
possible by vehicular traffic; and
(d) shall be given adequate written and
oral instructions, in a language that he
or she understands, with respect to
directing vehicular traffic, and those
instructions shall include a description
of the signals that are to be used.
In addition, the written instructions must be
kept at the project. (O. Reg. 213/91, s.69(5))
2 Handbook for Construction TCPs
What are the objectives of traffic
control?
• To protect construction workers and the
motoring public by regulating traffic flow.
• To stop traffic whenever required by the
progress of work. Otherwise to keep
traffic moving at reduced speeds to avoid
tie-ups and delays.
• To allow construction to proceed safely
and efficiently.
• To ensure that public traffic has priority
over construction equipment.
What equipment do I need?
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Hard hat: CSA Class E,
Type 2 (recommended)
or Type 1; Or ANSI Class
E, Type I or Type II.
• Safety boots: CSA-
certified Grade 1
workboots (i.e., as
indicated by a green
triangular CSA patch
outside or label inside).
(B016) 2022 Edition 3
These will have a steel toe and insole to
protect against falling objects and
punctures. A white label with an orange
Omega symbol indicates protection
against electric shock.
• Eye protection:
CSA-approved Class 1
safety glasses with
side protection. Clear
lenses are
recommended for
night-time work or
overcast conditions
and tinted lenses for
sunny conditions.
Consider using
CSA-approved Class 2
goggles for extreme
dust and windy
conditions.
• Garment: Covers the
upper body and meets
the requirements in the
Construction Projects
regulation (s.69.1):
– Fluorescent blaze
(i.e., safety orange)
or international
orange in colour
4 Handbook for Construction TCPs
– Retro-reflective and fluorescent
stripes. Two vertical yellow stripes on
front that are 5 cm (2 in) wide,
225 mm (9 in) apart, and cover at
least 500 cm2 (77.5 in2). Two diagonal
yellow stripes on back that are 5 cm
(2 in) wide, arranged in an X pattern,
and cover at least 570 cm2 (88 in2).
– Retro-reflective silver stripes that
encircle each arm and leg, or side
visibility-enhancing stripes that cover
at least 50 cm2 (7.75 in2) per side, are
required during night-time work.
– If the garment is a vest, it is to have
an adjustable fit.
– If the garment is a vest made of nylon,
it is to have a side and front tear-away
feature.
NOTE: Garments that comply with CSA
Z96-09: High-Visibility Safety Apparel,
Class 2 or Class 3, are also acceptable. So
background material can be fluorescent
yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red,
fluorescent red, bright yellow-green, or
bright orange-red in colour.
(B016) 2022 Edition 5
Sign
A sign used to direct traffic must be:
• Octagonal in shape, 450 mm (8 in) wide,
and mounted on a pole 1.2 m (4 ft) long
• Made of material with at least the rigidity
of plywood 6 mm (1/4 in) thick
• On one side, high-intensity
retro-reflective red with
STOP printed in high-
intensity retro-reflective
white 150 mm (6 in) high
• On the other side, high-
reflectivity retro-reflective
micro-prismatic fluorescent
chartreuse with a black
diamond-shaped border at
least 317 mm x 317 mm
(12.5 in) and with SLOW
printed in black 120 mm (5 in) high.
Night-time Equipment
During night-time hours or in low-light
conditions, the following measures are
recommended:
• Use a flashlight with a red cone
attachment and carry spare batteries.
• Place flashing amber lights ahead of your
post.
6 Handbook for Construction TCPs
• Wear a hard hat with reflective tape that
does not alter the dielectric properties
of the safety hat and is visable from all
angles (a minimum of 80 cm2 (12.5 in2) is
recommended).
• Stand in a lighted area under temporary
or street lighting or be illuminated by light
from a parked vehicle. NOTE: Stand fully
in the light without creating a silhouette.
What are the requirements of a good
traffic control person?
• Sound health, mental and physical
alertness, and good vision and hearing
• Mature judgment and a pleasant manner
• A good eye for speed and distance to
gauge oncoming traffic
• A driver’s licence, preferably
• The ability to give motorists simple
directions, explain hazards, and answer
questions
• A liking, understanding, and respect for
the responsibilities of the job.
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How do I prepare for each job?
Before starting work, make sure that you
know:
9 The type of construction that will be
done—paving, installing pipe, grading, cut
and fill, etc.
9 The type of equipment that will be used—
scrapers, trucks, compactors, graders, etc.
9 How the equipment will be operating—
crossing the road or working along the
shoulder, in culverts, on a bridge, etc.
9 Whether you will have to protect workers
setting up components of the traffic
control system such as signs, delineators,
cones, and barriers
9 Any special conditions of the contract
governing road use (e.g., many contracts
forbid work during urban rush hours)
9 How public traffic will flow (e.g., along a
two-lane highway, around curves or hills,
by detour, or on a road narrowed to a
single lane).
NOTE: This last situation is a very common
one and requires two TCPs to ensure that
vehicles do not move in opposing directions
at the same time (see page 13).
8 Handbook for Construction TCPs
In some cases, where the two TCPs cannot
see one another, a third TCP is necessary to
keep both TCPs in view and relay instructions
(see pages 14–15).
What should I check each day?
• Make sure that the STOP-SLOW sign is
clean, undamaged, and meets height and
size requirements.
• Place the
TRAFFIC
CONTROL
PERSON
AHEAD sign
(TC-21) at an
appropriate
distance to
give motorists
enough
warning. (Refer
to OTM Book 7,
p. 174.)
• Remove or cover all traffic control signs
at quitting time or when traffic control is
temporarily suspended.
• Arrange with your supervisor for meal,
coffee, and toilet breaks.
(B016) 2022 Edition 9
Where should I stand?
• Stand 10 m (33 ft) from the first cone of
the taper. The size of the taper will vary
based on the normal posted speed, but
the distance TCPs must stand from the
first cone will stay the same (see page 12).
• Do not stand on the travelled portion of
a roadway and always face oncoming
traffic.
• Be alert at all times. You need to be
aware not only of oncoming traffic on
the roadway but also of the construction
traffic around you. This will help you avoid
the danger of being backed over or hit by
your own equipment.
• Stand alone. Do not allow a group to
gather around you.
• Stand at your post. Sitting is hazardous
because your visibility is reduced and it is
more difficult for a motorist to see you.
• Adjust your distance to suit the weather,
speed, and conditions of the road.
Traffic must have room to react to your
directions to stop (e.g., on wet or icy
roads, a vehicle may need twice the
stopping distance). Stand where you can
see and be seen by approaching traffic—
at least 150 m (500 ft).
10 Handbook for Construction TCPs
• Hills and curves call for the use of
three TCPs or some other means of
communication. The job of the TCP in the
middle is to relay signals between the
other two (see page 15).
• Once you have been assigned a traffic
control position by your supervisor, look
over the area for methods of escape in
case a driver disregards your signals (i.e.,
a place to get to in order to avoid being
injured by a vehicle heading your way). If
this should happen, protect yourself by
moving out of the path of the vehicle and
then warn the rest of the crew.
(See also OTM Book 7, p. 174-6.)
Where am I not allowed to direct
traffic?
Ontario’s Construction Projects regulation
(213/91) specifies that:
69. (2) A worker shall not direct vehicular
traffic for more than one lane in the same
direction.
(3) A worker shall not direct vehicular
traffic if the normal posted speed limit of
the public way is more than 90 kilometres
per hour.
(B016) 2022 Edition 11
12
Recommended Placement of Traffic Control Persons (TCPs)
Normal Posted
Regulatory Speed 50 km/h 60 km/h 70 km/h 80 km/h 90 km/h
Taper 15 m 20 m 25 m 30 m 30 m
Longitudinal Buffer
(30 m)* (40 m)* 50 m 60 m 75 m
Areas (LBAs)
TCP Position from First
10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m
Cone
Based on Table 4.6 (p. 175) in Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 7: Temporary Conditions, 2022 ed.
*LBAs at speeds of 60 km/h or lower are optional; However, they should be used if space
Handbook for Construction TCPs
permits.
(B016) 2022 Edition
Based on Figure 4.7 (p. 173) in Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 7: Temporary Conditions, 2022 ed.
Typical Arrangement of TCPs on a Two-Lane Roadway
13
14
Positioning of Traffic Control Persons (TCPs)
Handbook for Construction TCPs
(B016) 2022 Edition
NOTE: On curves and hills, three TCPs or some other means of
communication are required. The duty of TCP 2 is to relay signals
between TCP 1 and TCP 3.
Based on Figure 4.8 (p. 176) in Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 7: Temporary Conditions, 2022 ed.
15
How should I signal?
• Use the STOP/SLOW sign and your arms
as shown below.
• Stand off the travelled portion of the
roadway and hold your sign firmly in full
view of oncoming traffic.
• Give the motorist plenty of warning. Do
not show the STOP sign if the motorist is
too close. The average stopping distance
for a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h (30
mph) is 45 m (150 ft). Higher speeds
require more stopping distance.
16 Handbook for Construction TCPs
• When showing the SLOW sign, avoid
bringing traffic to a complete halt. When
motorists have slowed down, signal them
to keep moving slowly.
• When showing the STOP sign, use firm
hand signals and indicate where you want
traffic to stop.
• When traffic has stopped, you may move
to a point on the road where traffic in the
queue can see you.
• Before moving traffic from a stopped
position, make sure the opposing traffic
has stopped and that the last opposing
vehicle has passed your post. Then turn
your sign and step back on the shoulder
of the road.
• Stay alert, keep your eyes on approaching
traffic, make your hand signals crisp and
positive.
• Coordinate your effort with nearby traffic
signals to avoid unnecessary delays, tie-
ups, and confusion.
• Do not use flags to control traffic.
(B016) 2022 Edition 17
How can I improve safety for myself
and others?
• Do not be distracted by talking to fellow
workers or passing pedestrians. If you
must talk to motorists, stay at your post
and keep the conversation brief.
• Two-way radios are the best way of
communicating. When using two-way
radios to communicate with another TCP,
take the following precautions:
– Establish clear voice signals for each
situation and stick to them.
– Be crisp and positive in your speech.
– Test the units before starting your
shift and carry spare batteries.
– Avoid unnecessary chit-chat.
– Do not use radios in blasting zones.
• When two TCPs are working together,
they should always be able to see each
other in order to coordinate their STOP/
SLOW signs. Signals between them
should be understood. If one changes
their sign from STOP to SLOW or vice-
versa, they must signal to the other
person by moving the sign up and down
or sideways. This will ensure that traffic
control is coordinated.
18 Handbook for Construction TCPs
What are my rights under the law?
• Additional requirements for traffic control
by any persons or agencies performing
construction, maintenance, or utility work
on roadways in Ontario are spelled out in
Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 7: Temporary
Conditions (April 2022 edition).
• Under the Construction Projects
regulation (213/91), TCPs must be
protected from hazards. This includes
providing protective clothing, equipment,
and devices and putting measures in
place to guard against the dangers of
vehicular traffic. Safety should receive
prime consideration in planning for
traffic control. Regulations under OHSA
are enforced by Ontario’s Ministry of
Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills
Development.
• Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act,
drivers must obey the STOP/SLOW sign
displayed by a TCP. If problems arise:
– Report dangerous motorists to your
supervisor.
– Keep a pad and pencil to jot down
violators’ licence numbers.
– Never restrain a motorist forcibly or
take out your anger on any vehicle.
(B016) 2022 Edition 19
– Ask your supervisor for assistance
from police in difficult or unusual
traffic situations.
– Always be alert to emergency
services. Ambulance, police, and fire
vehicles have priority over all other
traffic.
REMEMBER
• Always face traffic.
• Plan an escape route.
• Wear personal protective clothing.
• Maintain proper communication with
other TCPs.
• Stay alert at all times.
• Be courteous.
Traffic control is a demanding job, and often
a thankless one. But it is always an important
job. How well you succeed will depend
largely on your attitude.
Signature
Date
20 Handbook for Construction TCPs
How IHSA Can Help
IHSA Has the Products
& Training You Need
Handbook for Construction Traffic
Control Persons (B016) is also
available in French. Order Manuel pour
les signaleurs de construction routière
(B016F).
Traffic control requires
the use of jointly
established procedures for
communication. IHSA offers
pocket-sized Hand Signals
for On-Site Traffic Control
(V006) cards to make sure
that everyone on site is using the same agreed-
upon hand signals.
TCPs must be given adequate written and oral
instructions for directing vehicular traffic. IHSA
offers the following in-person or online courses:
• Traffic Control—Temporary Work Zones
(classroom-based and virtual)
• Signaller and Traffic Control Person
• Traffic Control and Backing Vehicles
(eLearning)
Guidelines for Training Traffic Control
Persons (M019) can help supervisors
and industry trainers meet the
requirements for training TCPs.
About IHSA
The Infrastructure Health and Safety
Association (IHSA) is Ontario’s trusted
health and safety resource. Our goal is to
improve the lives of Ontario workers. We
provide the resources and training that
control and eliminate safety hazards in work
environments involving high-risk activities.
IHSA’s vision is safe and healthy workplaces
free from incidents, injuries, illnesses or
fatalities.
Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA)
21 Voyager Court South, Etobicoke, ON M9W 5M7
Tel: 1-800-263-5024 • info@ihsa.ca
Find out what we can do for you at ihsa.ca
B016
