Lena Thompson is the Custodial & Grounds Supervisor and Safety Coordinator at a large U.S. National Park that serves over 2 million visitors annually.

Lena oversees daily maintenance, repairs, and safety coordination for park facilities, trails, and visitor centers. Her responsibilities include protecting guests and workers from hazards such as slippery surfaces, downed trees, construction areas, and wildlife incidents, while preserving the park’s natural beauty and maintaining ADA accessibility.

Standard cones and A-frame signs often blow over in wind, get ignored by visitors, or fail to clearly mark restricted or hazardous areas. Large metal barricades are too bulky to haul across remote areas. Park staff need fast, flexible safety solutions for changing conditions—often on uneven terrain.

Lena equips each maintenance and custodial crew with Flex-Safe Barricades, enabling them to secure work areas, block trailheads, or guide visitors around hazards with minimal disruption to the natural environment.

Key Use Cases for Flex-Safe in the National Park:

• Trail Closures & Maintenance:
  • Flex-Safe is deployed at trailheads or junctions when trails are temporarily closed due to storm damage or animal activity.
  • Its high visibility and customizable messaging panels reduce the risk of visitors ignoring closures.
• Restroom & Facility Work:
  • During cleaning or plumbing repairs at visitor centers, Lena’s team uses Flex-Safe to block entrances while still allowing airflow and visibility.
  • The collapsible design makes it easy to move between job sites.
• Emergency Response:
  • During a flash flood or rockslide, rangers and safety staff use Flex-Safe to redirect visitors and cordon off dangerous areas before permanent barricades are set.
  • The lightweight design allows staff to deploy barricades rapidly, even on foot or via UTVs.
• Event & Campground Safety:
  • Flex-Safe helps manage foot traffic during ranger-led events, temporary closures, and campfire programs, preventing crowding and controlling flow in sensitive areas.

• Weather-Resistant: Performs reliably in wind, rain, and sun without corroding.
• Terrain-Friendly: Can be stabilized on grass, gravel, or paved areas.
• ADA-Conscious: Easily creates safe, wide walkways for guests with mobility needs.
• Eco-Aware: Professional appearance blends safety with environmental stewardship—without looking industrial or invasive.
• Compact & Portable: Fits in park maintenance vehicles and UTVs for fast response in the field.
• Since implementing Flex-Safe, Lena has reported fewer guest incidents near active work zones, improved team efficiency, and higher compliance with closures and safety signage. Visitors appreciate the clean, professional approach to safety in a natural setting—without the visual clutter of cones and barricade tape.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – 29 CFR 1910

1. • Applies To: Federal workers, including National Park Service (NPS) employees, through Executive Order 12196.
   • Relevance: Covers general workplace safety. When workers perform maintenance, custodial, or repair tasks, hazards must be clearly marked and access controlled.
   • Key Standard:
     • 1910.145 – Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags. This governs:
       • Danger/Caution signs
       • Physical barriers
       • Color codes (e.g., yellow for caution, red for danger)
   • Flex-Safe Compliance Tip: Use barricades with OSHA-compliant colors and optional signage panels for hazard communication.
   2. Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) & ADA Standards for Accessible Design
   • Applies To: All federally managed public spaces.
   • Relevance: Barricades used in or around facilities and trails must not obstruct accessible paths or violate ADA clearances (typically 36–48 inches).
   • Flex-Safe Compliance Tip: Barricades should allow for safe passage or clearly redirect traffic in an accessible manner.
   3. National Park Service (NPS) Operational Standards
   • Source: NPS Directors Orders and RM (Reference Manual) series.
   • Relevant Guidance:
     • Director’s Order #50B: Occupational Safety and Health Program
       • Requires safety plans, hazard controls, and signage.
     • RM-50B Chapter 4: Hazard Control
       • Promotes use of engineered controls like barriers and barricades to reduce risk to employees and visitors.
   • Flex-Safe Use: Supports hazard mitigation and visitor protection responsibilities under NPS policy.
   4. MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) – FHWA
   • Applies When: Barricades are used on public roads or parking lots within park boundaries.
   • Requirement: Devices used for traffic or pedestrian redirection must meet MUTCD standards for:
     • Type (I, II, or III barricades)
     • Reflectivity (especially for night use)
     • Color (orange/white for construction zones)
   • Flex-Safe Compliance Tip: Use versions with Type I or higher reflective sheeting if near roads or used at night.
   5. NEPA Considerations (National Environmental Policy Act)
   • Applies If: Temporary structures are deployed in environmentally sensitive areas (wetlands, protected habitats).
   • Implication: While barricades are temporary, their placement shouldn’t disturb protected environments or block wildlife corridors.

   Flex-Safe Benefit: Lightweight and non-invasive—can be deployed and removed without environmental damage.

2. Regulation / Standard	Applies To	What to Ensure	Flex-Safe Compliance Guidance
   OSHA 1910.145	Worker safety signage	Use physical barriers & warning signs at job sites	Use yellow/red panels, attach hazard signage
   ADA / ABA Standards	Public access routes	Maintain accessible paths or provide ADA-compliant detours	Avoid blocking pathways, provide 36″+ clearance
   NPS DO-50B / RM-50B	NPS safety policies	Control hazards for workers and public	Use barricades as engineered controls
   MUTCD	Roads, parking areas	Use Type I–III compliant barricades near vehicle traffic	Select reflective versions of Flex-Safe
   NEPA	Environmental protection	Avoid physical disruption in sensitive areas	Deploy with minimal ground impact

   Lena has integrated Flex-Safe into the park’s official Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) toolkit, trained staff on proper setup and regulatory alignment, and maintains documentation for inspections or incident reviews.