How should you work on a scene on the road?

• A. Work in the traffic lane.
• B. Work on the side away from traffic.
• C. Work on the shoulder toward traffic.
• D. Behind the apparatus.

Answer: (B)

The key is to create a safe work zone by minimizing exposure to moving traffic. Working on the shoulder away from traffic puts you outside the travel lanes, giving you a protective buffer and better room to maneuver. This position reduces your risk of being struck by passing vehicles and allows you to operate with visibility and time to react as traffic flows by.

Being in the traffic lane directly exposes you to more hazards, and working on the shoulder toward traffic means you’re facing vehicles with less room to react. Behind the apparatus can offer some shielding, but it often limits access and visibility, making it harder to perform tasks safely. So, placing personnel on the side away from traffic is the safest and most effective approach on a roadway scene.