Keeping Public Works Safe with Smart Temporary Barricades
“Flex-Safe® has completely changed how we secure our worksites. Setup is faster, the barriers are stronger, and the ability to add safety signs directly to the barricades keeps both workers and the public protected. It’s a solution I wish we had years ago.”
As a Public Work Safety Coordinator, Jason Reynolds knows that every worksite presents new risks. With over 15 years of experience managing city projects—road repairs, sidewalk replacements, utility upgrades—he’s seen how quickly an unsecured work zone can turn into a hazard for both workers and the public.
Jason’s job is to keep people safe while making sure work gets done on time and within budget. That means using the right temporary barricades, safety barriers, orange fencing, traffic cones, and a-frame traffic barricades for every situation. But like many coordinators, Jason struggled with outdated options such as heavy wooden barricades that were hard to move, or plastic fencing that sagged and failed in high-traffic areas.
He needed a better way.
The Challenge – Outdated Barricades and Unsafe Work Zones
Jason described his biggest safety frustrations:
- Heavy wooden barricades that required two workers to move and often broke after a few uses.
- Orange fencing that leaned or tore, leaving gaps for pedestrians.
- Traffic cones that blew over in the wind, confusing drivers and walkers.
- No clear way to attach safety signs directly to the barricades, forcing workers to tape or zip-tie signs to nearby poles.
Every project meant more time wasted setting up and checking barriers. Worse, the public didn’t always know where to walk or what areas to avoid—leading to near-misses and complaints.
Jason knew that signage and barriers had to work together to guide people safely around worksites. He needed something durable, fast to deploy, and professional-looking to earn trust from both the city and its residents.
The Solution – Flex-Safe® Temporary Barricades
That’s when Jason’s team adopted the Flex-Safe® barricade system. Unlike wooden barricades or flimsy fencing, Flex-Safe® is designed for strength, flexibility, and visibility in real-world public works projects.
Key Benefits Jason Experienced
- Lightweight but durable – One person can set up and move the barricades quickly.
- Signs attach directly – Safety and directional signs clip onto the barricades, making it clear where pedestrians and vehicles should go.
- High visibility – The bright design is easy to see, even at night.
- Space-saving storage – Flex-Safe® folds and stacks neatly, saving storage room.
- Reusable – Unlike wooden barricades that break, Flex-Safe® lasts across multiple projects.
Jason explained:
| “The ability to attach warning signs directly to the barricades has been a game changer. Now, people instantly understand what’s happening and where it’s safe to walk. It’s cut down confusion and complaints.” |
Real-World Example – Safer Sidewalk Replacement Project
One recent city project involved replacing sidewalks along a busy downtown street. Normally, Jason’s team would line the site with orange fencing and cones, but they worried about pedestrians stepping into unsafe zones.
This time, they used Flex-Safe® temporary barricades with attached signs:
- “Sidewalk Closed” and “Use Other Side” signs clipped right onto the barricades.
- Bright, professional-looking barriers clearly separated the worksite from public areas.
- The crew spent half the normal setup time, freeing workers to focus on construction instead of traffic control.
The result? No public safety complaints, no near-misses, and fewer interruptions. City officials even commented on how professional and organized the site looked compared to past projects.
Why Flex-Safe® Builds Trust
Jason emphasizes that safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building trust with the community. People expect worksites to look professional and safe.
Trust Factors That Made the Difference
- Experience: Flex-Safe® products are designed with input from public safety professionals.
- Expertise: Tested in real worksites across multiple industries.
- Authoritativeness: Recognized by municipalities, contractors, and event coordinators nationwide.
- Trustworthiness: Durable, consistent, and reliable—backed by testimonials from real safety coordinators like Jason.
When residents see clear signage attached to sturdy barricades, they trust the site is safe and that the city takes their well-being seriously.
Jobs to Be Done – From Chaos to Clarity
Jason’s story highlights the jobs-to-be-done framework in public works safety:
- Protect workers from cars, equipment, and pedestrians.
- Guide the public clearly with signs and barriers.
- Save time and money with quick setup and reusable products.
- Build community trust through professional, organized worksites.
By choosing Flex-Safe®, Jason solved these jobs in a single, simple system.
The Results – Safer, Faster, Smarter
- 50% faster setup time compared to wooden barricades.
- Zero safety complaints during multiple city projects.
- Improved visibility and guidance for pedestrians and drivers.
- Lower replacement costs, since Flex-Safe® outlasts other barricades.
Jason summed it up:
| ““Flex-Safe® lets us do our job better. Workers are safer, the public is safer, and the city saves money. That’s a win for everyone.” |
Takeaway – The Future of Public Works Safety
Jason’s case shows how modern temporary barricades can transform public safety. From a-frame traffic barricades to sign-ready barriers, Flex-Safe® gives safety coordinators the tools they need to keep projects safe, efficient, and professional.
When the job is to protect both workers and the public, Flex-Safe® delivers clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
Meta Information
- Title: Public Works Safety Coordinator Improves Worksite Safety with Flex-Safe® Barricades
- Slug: public-works-safety-coordinator-flexsafe-case-study
- Meta Description: Discover how Public Works Safety Coordinator Jason Reynolds used Flex-Safe® barricades to improve safety, speed, and trust on city projects. Learn how attaching signs directly to temporary barricades keeps workers and the public protected.
- Excerpt: See how a Public Works Safety Coordinator improved worksite safety, reduced setup time, and built community trust using Flex-Safe® barricades with attached signage.
Q’s and A’s
Q: Can Flex-Safe® barricades replace wooden barricades and orange fencing for public works projects?
A: Yes. Flex-Safe® is designed to replace outdated options like wooden barricades, orange fencing, and even cones in many applications. Unlike these older solutions, Flex-Safe® is lightweight, durable, and allows safety signs to attach directly to the barricade. This improves visibility, reduces setup time, and keeps worksites looking professional and organized.
Q: How do Flex-Safe® barricades improve safety for both workers and the public?
A: Flex-Safe® helps in two major ways:
- Protecting workers by creating a sturdy barrier that keeps pedestrians and vehicles out of active work zones.
- Guiding the public with clear, easy-to-read signs clipped directly to the barricades—so there’s no confusion about where it’s safe to walk or drive. Together, this reduces risks, prevents accidents, and builds trust with the community.
Q: Aren’t Flex-Safe® barricades more expensive than traditional wooden barricades or orange fencing?
A: While the upfront cost may be higher, Flex-Safe® saves money in the long run. Wooden barricades often break and need replacing, while fencing sags and requires constant upkeep. Flex-Safe® is reusable, durable, and built to last across multiple projects. Plus, the time saved on setup and teardown reduces labor costs—delivering real savings project after project.
Q: Will Flex-Safe® barricades take up too much storage space when not in use?
A: Not at all. Flex-Safe® is designed with space-saving storage in mind. The barricades fold and stack neatly, unlike bulky wooden barricades or tangled rolls of fencing. That means more room in storage facilities and easier transport between worksites—without the hassle.
“The crews love the barricades because they are easy to transport on their utility vehicles.
“2 are replacements for our sewer team and the other units are for our water team.
The barricades held up well. Our sewer team liked them a lot.
Only thing that they did notice was during really high (Santa Ana) windy days, every once in a while, they would blow over. For the most part, they held up well.”