This series serves as a monthly highlight of recent news to keep you informed about the safety industry, including airport, construction, events, and general safety. Each month we compile recent and current safety highlights, newsroom releases, and national stories here to keep you up to date on all things safety.

This month, we’ll highlight climbing construction material prices, how the FAA is increasing safety at airports across the US, why work zone safety should be a higher priority year-round, and the NHTSA’s recently launched “Click it or Ticket” campaign ahead of summer travel.     

Table of Contents

1. ABC: Construction Materials Prices Soar in April, Up 6.2% Since January
2. FAA Takes Action to Improve Airport Safety
3. FAA Releases Bold, New Air Traffic Controller Hiring Plan
4. Why construction and trucking need to take action on work zone safety
5. Five-Year Plan – Construction Safety Week
6. NHTSA Debuts “Click it or Ticket” Campaign Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Summer Travel

ABC: Construction Materials Prices Soar in April, Up 6.2% Since January

The beginning of 2026 has seen construction prices – specifically materials – increase exponentially, with just the first four months showing just over a 6% increase – more than the last three years total (4.8%). Many factors play into these increases, with oil prices, tariffs, and the labor market among them. The potential for further increases is possible due to the current economy and the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will choose not to cut rates any further this year. In a volatile industry like construction, it’s always best to plan ahead and expect the unexpected.  

FAA Takes Action to Improve Airport Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration is continually working toward safer skies and airfields. As of May 13, 2026, the FAA has dedicated a large budget to equip all its airport vehicles with transponders that will help air traffic controllers identify and track them on the airfield. This accelerated plan comes after an incident at LaGuardia Airport where an aircraft struck an unequipped Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle after landing. With the transponders installed, air traffic controllers will be able to alert pilots of any vehicles nearby on the tarmac and better direct them to avoid collisions. Approximately 1,900 vehicles will be equipped.  

FAA Releases Bold, New Air Traffic Controller Hiring Plan

One of the most essential elements of airport safety is its air traffic controllers. They manage flight paths, coordinate movement in the air and on the tarmac, issue takeoff and landing instructions, and provide critical updates about weather and emergencies. This job is demanding, and the need for excellent air traffic controllers is always at a high due to the continued staffing shortage.

The FAA recently announced a new air traffic controller hiring plan that focuses on hiring adequate numbers to eliminate the staffing shortage, optimizing current air traffic controller efficiency, and upgrading and modernizing the National Airspace System (NAS). The 2026 plan is slated to make great strides during the next three years and will go a long way toward ensuring long-term safety of US airspace.

Why construction and trucking need to take action on work zone safety

Work zone safety has long been an issue in the United States, especially when construction season ramps back up to full speed. History shows us that, while we may expect busier roads and increased danger, driver behavior doesn’t actually change much. This opinion piece highlights why work zone safety needs more than a yearly awareness week and offers a call to action.   

Five-Year Plan – Construction Safety Week

Construction Safety Week took place May 4-8, 2026. The original safety week began in 2014, with more than 40 global construction firms from the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) group and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) CEO Forum joining together with the aim to “inspire everyone in the industry to be leaders in safety”. 

This year, the organization launched a five-year plan to “drive alignment in how safety is understood, owned and engineered across the entire project life cycle”.

NHTSA Debuts “Click It or Ticket” Campaign Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Summer Travel

Summer is heating up, and so is the “Click It or Ticket” campaign announced by the NHTSA as a precursor to summer travel. From May 11-31, state and local law enforcement will join forces and increase patrols to ensure everyone in every vehicle on the road is buckled in safely. Data shows that unbuckled seatbelts occur frequently in accidents and fatalities on the road, and the NHTSA is continually working to bring the fatality count down to zero.  

In reality, your final number will vary based on factors like event size, venue layout, crowd flow, security requirements, and local regulations. Crowd control barricades are ideal for guiding pedestrian movement and managing short-term flow, while, depending on the venue, temporary fencing can be better suited for securing full perimeters.

One rule experienced planners never ignore: always order more than you think you need. Running short during setup creates delays, safety risks, and last-minute costs that far outweigh the price of a few extra barricades.

In this guide, we’ll break down the simple formula for determining how many barricades you need, the key planning variables that impact your count, and the common layout mistakes to avoid – all so you can order with confidence and execute your event without surprises.

Why Crowd Control Barricades Are Essential for Events

Crowd control barricades are the backbone of any event safety plan. They manage crowd flow, reduce the risk of incidents, protect restricted or hazardous areas, create organized entry and exit points, and help you meet the permit and regulatory requirements most municipalities enforce for public gatherings. They’re even great for displaying sponsorship information or directional guidance. Without barricades, a crowd can be unpredictable. With barricades, a crowd has clear paths, defined zones, and the knowledge they need to navigate your event with ease. .

Key Factors That Determine How Many Barricades You Need

Two events with the same headcount can need very different barricade quantities. Before doing any math, run through these factors:

• Event size: Total attendance drives nearly every other decision.
• Type of event: A concert, a 10K race, a parade, and a construction-adjacent public zone all use barricades differently.
• Venue size and layout: Open fields, city streets, stadiums, and parking lots each have different perimeter and pinch-point demands.
• Entry and exit points: More gates means more barricade ends and more units overall.
• Crowd movement patterns: Standing, walking, or running – and in which direction.
• Security requirements: Higher-profile events need more coverage and tighter perimeters.
• Local regulations and permits: Many cities specify setback, perimeter, or barrier type for public events.

Map these out before you order! The cost of guessing is potential last minute costs, replacement, overtime, and incident reports.

Basic Formula: How to Estimate Barrier Quantity

Here is a simple, repeatable formula every event planner can use:

Step 1

Measure total linear footage. The best way to do this is to pull the site plan and add up every foot that needs coverage – perimeter, queue lines, stage front, VIP zones, and restricted areas. If you’re using additional barricades for signage, ensure those are taken into account as well.

Step 2

Divide by your barrier width. Standard crowd control barricades are typically 6.5 to 8 feet long (OTW Safety Billboard Barricades are 96 inches, or 8 feet exactly), and most steel barricades run anywhere from 7 to 8.5 feet. The length of the barricade depends on the manufacturer, so knowing which supplier you’re going with beforehand can help you estimate more accurately.  

Step 3

Add a buffer for overlaps, gates, and emergency access. A 10-20% buffer is the industry default, and, while it may leave you with some extras, it is far better to be over-prepared than scrambling at the last minute for more barricades. 

Example: 500 linear feet ÷ 8 feet per unit = roughly 62.5 barricades. Round up and add a 15% buffer, and you are ordering about 73 units. 

Rounding up is always going to ensure that you’re not short on safety support. A leftover barrier is a backup, but a missing barrier is an open gap that can lead to safety issues.

Barrier Planning by Event Type

Different events put stress on crowd control measures in different ways. Here is how to think about quantity by event type.

Concerts and festivals usually need three layers of barriers:

• Stage front barricades for the front-of-house crash barrier between the audience and performers on the stage.
• Crowd lanes and section dividers to break large audiences into manageable groups and to guide guests as they navigate the venue.
• VIP areas for backstage access, hospitality zones, and credentialed staff routes.

Planning for higher density at the front of the stage, as well as at concession and restroom clusters, ensures that those high-traffic areas have sufficient crowd management.

For races and sporting events, plan to have barriers around three zones:

• Perimeter lining along the run, ride, or parade route.
• Finish and start areas where crowds, media, and athletes converge.
• Spectator zones at high-traffic viewing points.

Race organizers typically stage barricades the heaviest at the start, finish, and at major intersections of the route, and then space them more loosely along more open stretches. 

Parades and public gatherings typically need:

• Roadside crowd separation along the parade route for pedestrian safety.
• Intersections and crossings where pedestrians, vehicles, and floats interact.

Adding extra barricades at corners where spectators can spill into the route increases the safety of the entire event, as that is where most parade incidents happen.

For construction or work zones, or when an event runs next to active construction, crowd control barricades can serve double duty:

• Separation of pedestrian walkways and active work zones keeps the public away from dangerous hazards and heavy equipment.
• A heavier layer of protection when paired with traffic barriers or roadside barriers, specifically for longer-duration work zones.    

Combined with fencing – when the zone is open overnight or when materials need to be stored – crowd control barricades lend an additional level of support that can help keep both event guests and construction sites safe and secure.

How Far Apart Should Crowd Control Barricades Be?

In most cases, crowd control barricades are typically placed end-to-end with no gaps. A continuous, interlocked line (like OTW Safety Billboard Barricades are capable of) is the safest configuration because it removes any squeeze points where crowds could push through.

Spacing should be added for entrances, emergency exits, or accessible routes; additional single barricades can be used for sponsorship or directional signage as well. Reinforce stability with interlocking systems and add ballast (like sandbags or water for water-filler plastic barricades) on long runs that may take heavier crowd pressure. If you can see daylight between barriers, attendees will too – and, no matter the rules, someone will likely try to slip through.

When to Use Barriers vs Event Fencing

Crowd control barricades and temporary fencing for events might solve overlapping problems, but they are not interchangeable.

Use crowd control barricades for short-term guidance, pedestrian flow, and flexible layouts that change throughout the event. They set up fast, move easily, and adapt to live conditions.

Use temporary fencing for events when you need full perimeter security, secure restricted access zones, or coverage for longer-duration events that run overnight or across multiple days. Fencing is taller, harder to climb, and more difficult to defeat. Temporary fencing can be either standalone or, like with barricade fence panels, paired with heavier duty barricades for additional protection. 

Most large outdoor events use both – fencing for the outer perimeter and crowd control barricades for interior flow, queues, and stage areas. For a deeper comparison, see barricades vs barriers.

Common Mistakes When Estimating Barrier Needs

It’s easy to miss details and accidentally underestimate the number of barricades that are actually needed for an event. Some things that are often overlooked are: 

• Underestimating crowd size. Ticket counts almost always undercount actual attendance once walk-ups, comp tickets, and last-minute additions land.
• Forgetting entry and exit layouts. Every gate adds barrier ends and transitions you have to plan for.
• Not accounting for emergency access. Fire, EMS, and police need clear lanes that meet local code.
• Ignoring local regulations. Permits often dictate barrier type, height, and placement.
• Not adding extra barriers for flexibility. Live events change and crowds shift. Spares are essential to properly prepare.
• Choosing the wrong type of barrier. A lightweight portable barricade is great for a one day 5K race route and less so for a 50,000-person festival perimeter that needs to be locked up at night.

Improvised crowd control on event day is exactly what permit officials and insurance carriers worry about, so ensuring that the smallest details aren’t overlooked goes a long way toward ensuring that proper safety measures are in place with no improvisation necessary. 

Crowd Control Barrier Layout Tips

A good barricade count is essential, but it means little without a good layout:

• Create a clear entry and exit flow. Attendees should always know where to go.
• Avoid bottlenecks. Keep queue widths consistent and never funnel a wide crowd into a narrow gap.
• Use barriers to guide movement. The goal is direction, not obstruction.
• Plan for emergency access lanes. Coordinate with local fire and police on minimum widths.
• Keep sightlines open for security teams. Security needs to see across the crowd, not into the back of a barricade line.

A clean layout uses fewer crowd barriers than a chaotic one. A well designed layout ensures the proper number of barricades and the optimal safety for an event. 

Do You Need Crowd Control Barricade Rentals or Purchase?

The rent-vs-buy decision is based on many things, but one determining factor can be how often you run events.

• Crowd control fence rental and barricade rental make sense for short-term events, one-off productions, and organizations that hold events a few times per year. Lower upfront cost, no storage.
• Purchase makes sense for recurring events, venues, and municipalities. The ROI on durable, reusable barriers shows up fast when you stop paying rental fees on the same units year after year.

OTW Safety builds durable, reusable crowd control solutions designed for frequent use, and, whether you rent or buy, we’re here to support your event from start to finish. 

Read more about renting vs buying on our blog here, or dig deeper with our Plastic Barricades: Rent or Buy? white paper.

Types of Crowd Control Barriers Available

While many different events can and do use the same types of barricades for multiple purposes, there are a number of types available to choose from, and it’s not always a one-size-fits-all.  

• Steel “bike rack” barricades. The classic interlocking metal barrier – the original workhorse of concerts, parades, and races. They are still commonly used, but frequently replaced with plastic pedestrian barricades in recent years. 
• Plastic pedestrian barricades. Newer to the event scene, but still in use for many years, the plastic crowd control barricade is a multipurpose jack-of-many-trades that can interlock and can be easily relocated if necessary. (Read about the evolution of OTW’s plastic crowd control barricade here.)
• Water-filled barricades. Most plastic units can be ballasted with sand, but truly intentionally designed crowd barricades (hello, Billboard Barricade) also allow for water ballasting. This ensures added stability – ideal for higher-impact zones, perimeters near vehicle routes, or windy outdoor venues. Traffic control barricades also work for this type of application. 
• Interlocking barriers. Plastic or steel units that hook together for a continuous line – most current crowd control barricades have this feature regardless of material. 
• Compatibility with fencing systems. Many barrier systems integrate with temporary fencing for events when you need to extend coverage, which can be an asset for events that require higher security areas or a perimeter that needs to be locked at night. 

Your best bet is to match the barrier type to the type of security needed. A festival venue is a different problem than a perimeter backing up to a public road, and a kiddie soccer field requires different considerations than an indoor event. Whatever the event, take every relevant security concern into consideration when choosing the correct type of barricade to be used. 

How OTW Safety Supports Event Crowd Control

OTW Safety builds reliable crowd control barricades and temporary fencing for live music events, school sports days, equestrian race days, and more. Our products are designed for quick setup, real durability, and enhanced safety – and they work equally well at events, on construction sites, and in public safety deployments. Whether you are running one festival, a full season, or something else entirely, we can help you choose the right safety solution for your application and ensure you have the right quantity for the job.

Quick Barrier Planning Checklist

Before your order goes out, run down this checklist once more. Do you have:

• Total event size measured and confirmed
• Entry and exit points mapped
• High-traffic and high-density areas identified
• Barricade quantity calculated using the linear-footage formula
• Extra barricades added (10-20% buffer)
• Emergency access lanes planned with local authorities
• Safety and compliance reviewed against local permits

If every box is checked, you are ready to order with confidence!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many crowd control barricades will I need?

It depends on linear footage and event layout. Measure the total feet you need to cover, divide by your barrier length (typically 6.5–8.5 feet), and add a 10-20% buffer for gates, overlaps, and emergency access.

What size are crowd control barricades?

Most crowd control barriers are 6.5 to 8.5 feet long, depending on the manufacturer. Steel bike rack barricades are typically 7 to 8 feet, with some measuring up to 20 feet. Most plastic crowd control barricades measure in at approximately 6.5 to 8 feet. Always confirm actual length with your supplier before doing the math!

Should crowd control barriers be connected?

Yes. Connecting barriers end-to-end provides stability, prevents gaps, and meets the requirements most permits expect for public events.

Are barricades or fencing better for events?

It depends on the goal. Use crowd control barricades for flow control, queues, and flexible interior layouts. Use temporary fencing for events when you need full perimeter security or longer-duration coverage. Many events use both!

Can I rent crowd control barricades?

Yes. Crowd control fence rental and barricade rental are common for short-term events. For recurring events, purchasing usually delivers better ROI within a few uses.

The Bottom Line

Calculating crowd control barricade quantities is mostly basic arithmetic – you’re counting linear footage, dividing by barricade length, and adding a buffer so you’re not shorthanded day-of. The harder part is the layout, the city or state-specific regulations, and the judgment calls about where flow becomes a bottleneck. Plan early, over-order rather than under-order, and pair your barricades with the right fencing and/or traffic control devices for the optimal safety solution. When you are ready to determine the right equipment for your application, OTW Safety is here to help.

In this guide, we’ll cover highlights like:

• How safety barricades act as temporary barriers that guide traffic, warn drivers, and restrict access to active construction hazards.
• How the MUTCD defines three primary safety barricade types – Type I (single rail for sidewalks and small work zones), Type II (two rails for lane closures), and Type III (three rails for full road closures and major disruptions).
• Why water-filled plastic barricades provide increased stability and protection for highways, large perimeters, and high-traffic environments.
• Why procurement managers must evaluate key factors like compliance, visibility, durability, transportability, storage, and total cost of ownership before issuing a purchase order.
• How choosing the lowest-cost option isn’t always the best option – the right barricade should be chosen based on the specific needs of the work zone, traffic conditions, and project duration.

If you manage procurement for a construction firm, you know safety barricades are far more than just an orange-and-white item to check off the list. They define the boundary between a controlled job site and potential liability. They protect crews, direct traffic flow, and ensure compliance with safety regulations from the FHWA, DOT, or OSHA – all essential elements that directly affect the project. 

We’ll also break down the differences between barricades and other traffic control devices, regulatory considerations, and key purchasing decisions procurement teams face every day – so your next order supports safer job sites, smoother execution, and more predictable project outcomes.

What Are Safety Barricades?

A barrier, according to Webster’s dictionary, is “something material that blocks or is intended to block passage”, while safety barricades are high-visibility physical barriers used to mark hazards, restrict access, and guide traffic around construction zones. They are the most recognizable piece of construction safety equipment on any active site, for good reason! 

Common features include orange or orange-and-white coloring, reflective sheeting for nighttime visibility, lightweight, portable frames or bodies, and plastic or metal construction.

In a typical work zone, safety barricades prevent vehicles from entering dangerous areas, guide traffic through detours, separate workers from moving traffic, and block off hazards like open trenches or active equipment zones. Unlike cones, delineators, or drums – which guide traffic but do not stop a collision – barricades provide a strong visual and physical barrier that protects motorists and crews alike… and that drivers and pedestrians cannot ignore.

Why Safety Barricades Matter for Construction Site Safety

Work zones can create unpredictable traffic patterns and sudden lane shifts, exposing crews to greater risk, especially on highways. Safety barricades reduce that risk by alerting drivers to lane closures and active hazards and by separating workers from live traffic. They also prevent pedestrians from wandering into work zones near pedestrian walkways and mark restricted areas around equipment, excavations, and materials.

Properly deployed barricades reduce vehicle crashes in work zones, protect workers from struck-by injuries (one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” in construction), and limit contractor liability. For a procurement manager, that translates directly into fewer incidents, lower insurance exposure, and cleaner project closeouts.

Safety Barricades vs Other Traffic Control Devices

Safety barricades are one piece of a broader traffic control system. Knowing where a barricade fits – and where another device might work better – is the first step to identifying the right gear for each job.

Barricades vs Traffic Cones

Traffic cones are lightweight, easy to deploy, and perfect for short-duration lane shifts. They guide traffic well enough, but they can tip over in the wind, get clipped by mirrors, and offer no real barrier for work zone safety. Safety barricades are larger and more visible, providing a stronger physical barrier when access must be restricted or hazards must be clearly blocked. A good rule of thumb to follow: cones guide vehicles through a work zone, barricades close it off.

Barricades vs Delineators

Similar to cones, delineators are vertical markers – flexible posts or panels – that guide drivers along highways and temporary lane shifts. They are good at marking the edges and curves of lanes or site perimeters, but they offer no physical resistance if an accident occurs. Barricades are the more substantial choice when the goal is to flag a hazard, signal a closure, or restrict an area.

Barricades vs Traffic Drums

Traffic drums are large channelizing devices used to move traffic through lane shifts on highways. They are highly visible, but not designed to fully block access. Use drums when you want traffic to keep moving along a defined path. Use barricades when traffic needs to stop or reroute around a closure.

Types of Safety Barricades

Most construction barricades fall into one of four categories, as defined in section 6F of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or by industry practice.

Type I Barricades

A Type I barricade has one horizontal rail mounted between two supports. It is built for low-speed, low-risk areas – sidewalk work, minor road repairs, and small construction zones. Type I barricades are lightweight, portable, and inexpensive, but they offer lower visibility than larger barricades and are not appropriate (or regulated) for high-speed traffic.

Type II Barricades

A Type II barricade has two horizontal rails for added visibility and can be used in either low-speed or high-speed areas. It is the standard choice for lane closures, urban road construction, traffic detours, and medium-duration projects. Type II barricades remain portable and moderately priced while delivering significantly better driver awareness than Type I barricades.

Type III Barricades

A Type III barricade is a wide frame with three horizontal rails. It is the heaviest-duty MUTCD barricade and is required for full road closures and major construction zones. Highway construction, bridge repairs, and long-term infrastructure projects all rely on Type III barricades, often paired with flashing warning lights for nighttime visibility. Expect a higher cost and a larger storage footprint, but unmatched durability and signaling.

Water-Filled Barricades

Water-filled barricades are plastic barriers that are ballasted with water (or sand) for stability. They combine lightweight transport with serious on-site weight – empty units stack and ship efficiently, then turn into highly impact-resistant barriers once filled. Water-filled safety barricades are ideal for highway work zones, large construction perimeters, and crowd control where a stronger barrier is needed but rigid concrete is overkill. Learn more about how to ballast water barricades and how they compare to other types of safety barricades.

Safety Barricade Regulations Procurement Managers Must Know

A barricade that does not meet code is not actually a barricade – it is a citation waiting to happen. Two regulatory frameworks drive nearly every construction barricade purchase, with additional considerations (per the FAA) if a construction site is at an airport or airfield. 

MUTCD Standards

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), sets the rules for barricades used on public roads. Key requirements include orange-and-white reflective stripes, downward-slanted rails toward oncoming traffic, and reflective sheeting for nighttime visibility. Most DOT projects require MUTCD-compliant barricades, so the best practice is to confirm the spec before issuing a PO.

OSHA Construction Safety Rules

OSHA requires employers to protect workers from recognized hazards on construction sites. Barricades are commonly used to block access to dangerous areas, protect excavation zones, and isolate heavy equipment areas. OSHA does not specify a barricade type the way MUTCD does, but it does hold contractors accountable for using barriers that actually keep workers and the public out of harm’s way.

How Procurement Managers Should Choose Safety Barricades

The right barricade choice takes careful consideration and depends on the work zone, not on whatever is cheapest in the catalog or easiest to find. Using these three lenses when evaluating any purchase can help ensure the correct barricades for the project are chosen.

Match the Barricade Type to the Work Zone

Traffic speed comes first – high-speed roads and work sites require larger, more visible barricades, typically Type III or water-filled. Traffic volume comes next because busy roads beat up barricades faster, making durability essential. Project duration drives material choice: long projects demand barricades that survive weather, UV, and repeated handling. Finally, pedestrian exposure must be a consideration in urban sites, where pedestrian barricades or construction fencing often work alongside traffic barricades.

Consider Materials and Durability

Plastic (polyethylene) is lightweight, weather-resistant, and corrosion-resistant – the workhorse for most construction barricades. Steel, like most Type I, Type II, and Type III barricades are made from, is heavier and stronger, with better performance for long-term installations and higher-impact zones. Composite materials offer a balance of durability and portability for crews who constantly move barricades.

Evaluate Visibility Features

Visibility is non-negotiable. Specify barricades with reflective sheeting, bright construction colors, compatibility with flashing warning lights, and wide rail designs. High visibility is critical for nighttime work zones and bad weather – and it is exactly what MUTCD inspectors look for first.

Common Barricade Purchasing Mistakes

Even experienced procurement teams trip on the same issues. Watch out for buying barricades that do not meet MUTCD standards, using Type I barricades where Type II or Type III are required, choosing low-cost barricades that crack or break after one season, under-ordering for large work zones, and ignoring storage and transport logistics. A barricade you cannot move efficiently is a barricade that stays in the yard.

The lowest unit price is often very appealing, but almost never wins in total cost of ownership. Replacement, downtime, and compliance citations add up fast, so putting the research into finding the best barricade at a satisfactory price point is essential to ensuring that you get the best value in the long run. 

Safety Barricades as Part of a Complete Work Zone Safety Strategy

Barricades work best alongside the rest of your construction safety equipment. A complete work zone safety strategy typically combines traffic cones for temporary lane guidance, traffic drums for high-visibility lane channelization, delineators for road-edge guidance, construction fencing for perimeter security, hazard lights and signs for nighttime visibility, and heavier barricades such as water-filled Jersey barriers for the highest-impact zones.

Layering devices creates clear, predictable traffic patterns, which helps motorists navigate work zones more efficiently and safely. Predictable traffic patterns and highly visible safety measures are what reduce accidents, not any single product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are safety barricades?

Safety barricades are temporary barriers used to mark hazards, control traffic, and protect construction zones.

What are the main types of construction barricades?

Type I (one rail), Type II (two rails), and Type III (three rails) barricades are defined by MUTCD traffic control standards. Water-filled barricades add a heavier-duty option for high-impact zones.

What is a Type III barricade used for?

Full road closures and major construction projects, especially on highways and long-term infrastructure work.

Are barricades required for construction sites?

Often, yes. Most public road projects must meet MUTCD requirements, and OSHA expects barriers wherever workers face traffic, excavation, or heavy-equipment hazards.

How are barricades different from traffic cones?

Cones guide traffic. Barricades block access and clearly mark hazards. Cones are for redirecting; barricades are for closing off.

The Bottom Line for Procurement

Specifying safety barricades is a small line in your project budget that carries a tremendous impact on construction safety, schedule, and liability. Choose the right type, confirm MUTCD compliance, prioritize visibility and durability, and consider storage and transport before the purchase order ever reaches the supplier. And, when in doubt, talk to a manufacturer that builds for real job sites – not just for the lowest bid. OTW Safety has been manufacturing barricades and work zone equipment for over three decades, and we are ready to help your team spec the right gear for your next project. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of construction procurement, including common terminology, the procurement process, major procurement methods, and the strategies that help contractors avoid delays, control costs, and keep projects running smoothly.

What Is Construction Procurement?

Construction procurement is the process of sourcing, purchasing, and managing the materials, equipment, labor, and services required for a construction project. When handled correctly, procurement ensures that projects receive the right materials at the right time while helping contractors maintain budget control and schedule reliability. Since construction timelines depend heavily on material availability and coordinated deliveries, procurement directly affects whether a project stays on track or experiences costly delays.

Procurement extends far beyond ordering building materials like steel, concrete, or lumber. Procurement teams are also responsible for sourcing traffic control products, safety barricades, temporary fencing, equipment rentals, subcontractor services, signage, and finishing materials. In addition to identifying project needs, procurement professionals evaluate suppliers, request quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, issue purchase orders, and monitor supplier performance throughout the project lifecycle.

Because construction projects involve so many moving parts, procurement is one of the most important operational functions in the industry. Every phase of a project depends on materials, labor, and equipment arriving when and where they are needed.

Why Procurement Matters in Construction

Effective procurement helps keep projects on schedule and within budget. Poor procurement processes, on the other hand, can create a chain reaction of delays, shortages, and unexpected costs. Material shortages, delayed shipments, pricing volatility, and unreliable suppliers can all impact project timelines and profitability.

Construction projects require constant coordination between contractors, suppliers, subcontractors, and project stakeholders. Procurement teams must carefully manage purchasing timelines, supplier reliability, and budget expectations at the same time. Contractors with strong procurement workflows are often better positioned to secure competitive pricing, maintain dependable supply chains, and reduce disruptions that could slow construction activity.

Procurement also plays an important role in maintaining safety and compliance. Certain projects require materials or traffic control products that meet state or federal standards, and sourcing non-compliant products can create liability issues, project shutdowns, or costly replacements later in the process.

Key Construction Procurement Terms

Construction procurement includes terminology that frequently appears in contracts, purchasing documents, and supplier communications. Understanding these terms helps teams communicate clearly and manage purchasing more efficiently.

An RFQ, or Request for Quote, is a document sent to suppliers requesting pricing for specific products or services. An RFP, or Request for Proposal, is typically used for more complex services where vendors submit detailed solutions and pricing structures.

A Purchase Order, commonly called a PO, is an official document authorizing a supplier to provide goods or services at agreed-upon pricing and terms. Lead time refers to the amount of time between placing an order and receiving the delivery, while a supplier is the company providing the products, materials, equipment, or services required for the project.

Understanding these foundational terms helps streamline communication between procurement teams, vendors, and project managers.

The Construction Procurement Process

Although procurement workflows may vary between companies, most construction procurement processes follow six core stages.

Step 1: Identifying Project Requirements

The first step in procurement is determining exactly what the project requires. Procurement teams review plans, specifications, schedules, and estimated quantities to identify all necessary materials, equipment, labor, and third-party services.

For example, a roadway construction project may require temporary barricades, traffic drums, signage, concrete barriers, heavy equipment, asphalt, rebar, and safety lighting. Teams must also verify whether products meet standards such as MUTCD or DOT requirements. Failure to source compliant products can result in safety issues, liability exposure, or project shutdowns.

Commercial and residential projects may prioritize different materials entirely, including lumber, drywall, flooring, insulation, temporary fencing, and finishing products. Because every project has unique needs, accurate planning is essential during this phase.

Step 2: Supplier Research and Vendor Selection

Once project requirements are identified, procurement teams begin evaluating suppliers based on pricing, product quality, delivery reliability, lead times, and compliance capabilities. Contractors often prefer working with trusted suppliers they have partnered with successfully in the past because reliable vendor relationships help reduce procurement risk and improve operational efficiency.

Vendor selection becomes even more important for products requiring state or federal certification, where suppliers must consistently meet strict compliance standards.

Step 3: Requesting Quotes

After narrowing down vendors, procurement teams issue requests for quotes to gather pricing and delivery information. Suppliers typically respond with product pricing, estimated shipping timelines, payment terms, and quote validity periods. Because construction pricing can fluctuate quickly, quote expiration dates are an important factor procurement teams must track carefully.

Comparing multiple quotes helps contractors secure the best overall value while balancing cost, reliability, and delivery expectations.

Step 4: Contract Negotiation

For larger purchases or long-term agreements, procurement teams often negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, warranties, payment terms, and freight arrangements. Strong negotiations help contractors improve margins while minimizing procurement risks and protecting project timelines.

Once negotiations are finalized, contracts and pricing details are typically submitted for internal review and approval before purchasing moves forward.

Step 5: Purchase Order Issuance

After approvals are complete, procurement teams issue purchase orders confirming quantities, pricing, delivery expectations, and agreed-upon terms. Once the purchase order is submitted, the supplier begins fulfilling the order according to contract requirements.

Step 6: Delivery and Supplier Management

Procurement responsibilities continue even after orders are placed. Teams monitor shipping timelines, fulfillment progress, and product quality to ensure suppliers meet expectations. If delays, damages, or product issues arise, procurement teams work directly with suppliers to resolve problems quickly and minimize disruptions to the project schedule.

Common Construction Procurement Methods

Construction projects use several procurement methods depending on the project scope, timeline, complexity, and level of collaboration required.

The most common method is design-bid-build, where the project design is completed first and contractors then submit bids to win the work. This approach creates competitive pricing and clearly defined scopes but can result in longer timelines and limited collaboration during the design phase.

Another common approach is design-build, where a single contractor manages both the design and construction phases. This method often improves coordination and speeds up project delivery because procurement decisions can begin earlier in the process.

Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) is often used when clients and contractors already have established relationships. Under this structure, contractors assume financial risk through a Guaranteed Maximum Price agreement, which can improve collaboration but places heavy emphasis on cost control.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a highly collaborative procurement model involving owners, designers, and contractors sharing both risks and rewards. IPD is typically reserved for large or complex projects that require significant coordination between stakeholders.

Procurement Strategy and Best Practices

While procurement methods define how contracts are structured, procurement strategy focuses on how companies manage purchasing decisions throughout a project. Effective procurement strategies typically prioritize cost control, supplier reliability, schedule alignment, and risk management.

One of the most important best practices in construction procurement is planning early. Advance purchasing helps reduce supply chain delays and allows teams to secure better pricing before market conditions change. Maintaining preferred supplier relationships also improves efficiency by shortening vendor selection timelines and creating more reliable communication channels.

Standardized purchasing workflows help improve internal organization, while procurement software can simplify quote tracking, purchase order management, supplier monitoring, and reporting. Strong supplier relationships are especially valuable during periods of material shortages or volatile pricing because dependable vendors are often more transparent about availability and lead times.

Common Challenges in Construction Procurement

Construction procurement often faces challenges related to supply chain disruptions, fluctuating material prices, and complex coordination between multiple vendors. Delayed shipments, material shortages, and international supply chain issues can all affect project schedules and purchasing timelines.

Large construction projects also require coordination across numerous suppliers, subcontractors, and approval processes. Slow internal approvals can delay purchasing decisions and even cause pricing issues if quote validity periods expire before approvals are completed.

Managing these challenges requires careful planning, clear communication, strong supplier relationships, and proactive procurement oversight throughout the entire project lifecycle.

How OTW Safety Supports Construction Procurement Teams

For more than three decades, OTW Safety has supported construction procurement teams with reliable safety products, traffic control devices, and work zone barricades. Many OTW products are manufactured in-house, helping reduce supply chain uncertainty while providing dependable product availability and delivery support.

Reliable suppliers play an important role in helping contractors maintain project schedules and reduce operational risk. By providing dependable fulfillment, responsive support, and durable safety products designed for demanding construction environments, OTW Safety helps procurement teams keep projects moving safely and efficiently.

FAQ

What is construction procurement?

Construction procurement is the process of sourcing and purchasing the materials, equipment, labor, and services needed to complete a construction project.

Why is procurement important in construction?

Procurement helps ensure projects receive the right materials at the right time and price, helping contractors avoid delays, budget overruns, and supply chain disruptions.

What are common construction procurement methods?

Common construction procurement methods include design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager at risk (CMAR), and integrated project delivery (IPD).

What does a procurement team do in construction?

Procurement teams source suppliers, request quotes, negotiate pricing, issue purchase orders, coordinate deliveries, and manage supplier relationships throughout a project.

What are the biggest challenges in construction procurement?

Common challenges include supply chain disruptions, price volatility, delayed approvals, vendor coordination, and maintaining reliable delivery schedules.

What Is FOD? FOD Meaning Explained

FOD stands for foreign object debris — any object that does not belong in an aircraft operating area. You will also hear the same acronym used for foreign object damage, the harm caused when debris meets an aircraft. The industry uses the term to cover both the debris and the damage it produces.

FOD is found anywhere aircraft operate: runways, taxiways, aprons, gate areas, and the construction zones bordering any of those surfaces. The challenge for airport contractors is that almost any active job site generates the kind of loose material that becomes FOD the moment it crosses into an operational area.

Common Examples of Foreign Object Debris

The list of materials that count as FOD is long. Loose gravel, sand, and dirt are some of the most common and most underestimated culprits, especially during paving and grading work. Tools, bolts, screws, and nails fall out of pockets and toolboxes during routine work. Packaging materials like plastic wrap, banding straps, and shrink film travel surprising distances in jet blast and crosswinds. General construction debris, trash, and litter all qualify, as do wildlife remnants like bones and feathers and environmental materials such as ice or hardened mud.

Construction sites are particularly high-risk FOD generators. The volume of materials moving in and out, the temporary nature of laydown areas, and the constant arrival of new crews all multiply the chance that something gets left behind on the wrong side of a fence line.

Why FOD Is Dangerous in Aviation

The danger of FOD comes down to physics. A loose object that would be harmless on a road can be ingested by a turbine engine spinning at tens of thousands of RPM, ricochet through internal blades, and shut the engine down in seconds. Tires fail when they roll over screws or rebar fragments at takeoff speed. Hydraulic lines, control surfaces, and skin panels all suffer when debris is kicked up by wheels or sucked into intakes.

The risks extend well beyond the aircraft. Passengers, flight crews, and ground personnel can all be injured by FOD events, whether through engine failure, tire blowouts on takeoff, or debris launched by jet blast across an apron. The consequences ripple outward into delayed flights, costly repairs, and operational disruptions that can extend for hours after a single incident.

FOD Airport Meaning: Where It Occurs

When the industry talks about FOD at an airport, the term refers to debris on or near aircraft movement areas. Runways carry the highest risk because aircraft are moving fastest and engines are at maximum thrust. Taxiways come next, followed by gates and aprons where ground vehicles, baggage carts, and service equipment converge. Maintenance areas and construction zones near active airfields round out the high-risk list.

Two factors amplify the problem. The constant movement of vehicles spreads debris in unpredictable directions, and aircraft suction — the negative pressure created near a running engine — can pull material from surprising distances into intake paths. FOD does not stay where it lands, and a small problem in one corner of an airfield can become a runway problem within minutes.

Why Airport Construction Increases FOD Risk

Airport construction multiplies almost every variable that creates FOD. Active sites bring in higher volumes of materials and generate more debris than any other phase of an airport’s life. Heavy equipment moves dirt, gravel, and construction byproducts every day. Temporary surfaces and transition zones create edges where loose material accumulates, and worker traffic adds the predictable risk of tools dropped and shortcuts taken near operational boundaries.

Weather complicates everything. Wind drives loose materials toward active surfaces, rain washes debris through drainage paths, and the lack of permanent infrastructure means fewer fixed barriers in place to contain it. The contractor’s job is to hold the line in an environment that does not naturally hold itself.

The Real Cost of FOD

The cost of FOD is larger than most contractors expect. Aircraft damage repair runs from hundreds of dollars for a tire to millions for an engine overhaul, and a single ingestion event can ground an aircraft for days. Project delays trigger contract penalties, safety incidents result in regulatory penalties from the FAA and the airport authority, and reputational damage follows any contractor associated with a serious event. Increased inspection and maintenance costs after an incident hit the budget for every project that follows.

Industry estimates put global FOD costs in the billions of dollars per year. On any single project, the number can be small or catastrophic.

FOD Prevention: Best Practices for Construction Sites

FOD prevention is built on the basics, applied consistently. Routine inspections — both scheduled and continuous — are the foundation, with every shift beginning and ending with a sweep of the work zone and project leaders walking transitions and high-risk boundaries throughout the day.

Tool and material accountability matters as much as the equipment itself. Crews track what comes onto a site and what leaves, and small items stay in pouches and are tethered when possible. Debris containment strategies — ground covers, perimeter barriers, and fenced laydown areas — keep loose material from migrating toward active surfaces.

Worker training drives everything else. Crews who understand why FOD matters police themselves and their coworkers, and clear site organization reduces the surface area where debris can hide. Immediate cleanup protocols ensure anything dropped is recovered before it spreads, and constant coordination with airport operations keeps the project plan and the airport’s safety phasing plan aligned.

FOD Prevention Equipment and Solutions

The right equipment turns prevention from a habit into a system. Debris control mats and trackout systems trap dirt, mud, and loose materials at the boundary between the construction zone and an active surface. Temporary roadway systems give equipment a clean, defined path that does not generate the loose material a graded surface would. Barriers and fencing prevent debris migration, contain materials within the work zone, and keep the public and ground crews out of harm’s way.

Wheel wash systems, where the airport permits them, remove debris from vehicle tires before they enter operational areas. Covered storage protects packaging and small materials from wind, and clear signage and safety markings reinforce the boundary crews need to respect every shift.

OTW Safety builds practical, job-site-ready solutions designed around prevention, not reaction. Our barricades, water-filled barriers, and fencing systems are engineered to stay in place under jet blast, wind, and weather — exactly the conditions that turn small site issues into FOD events.

How to Build an Effective FOD Management Plan

A FOD management plan turns prevention from a checklist into a documented program. The plan starts with identifying high-risk zones — the boundaries between the work area and any active surface, the laydown yards, the trackout points, and the wind corridors that move material across the site.

Responsibility is assigned next. Most contractors designate a FOD manager or small team with authority across the project. Inspections are scheduled at intervals matched to site activity, with additional walks triggered by concrete pours, heavy deliveries, or weather. Equipment is specified at procurement, not improvised mid-project. Incidents and near-misses are tracked and logged so the program can identify patterns and improve. The plan is aligned with airport safety regulations and integrated into the construction safety phasing plan the airport authority approves.

FOD Inspections and Monitoring

Inspections are the heartbeat of any FOD program. Manual walkdowns remain the most effective tool, especially in tight construction zones where pavement transitions and laydown areas hide debris from a moving vehicle. Vehicle-based inspections cover longer linear runs along closed taxiways and perimeter roads.

Technology is increasingly part of the picture. Some larger airports deploy fixed sensors, runway-edge radar, or AI-based detection systems that scan operational surfaces continuously. For most projects, the value of technology depends on the scale and traffic of the airfield. The constant across every approach is consistency: inspection frequency has to match the work, and the program must be predictable enough that crews build it into their daily rhythm.

Tips for Reducing FOD on Active Construction Sites

A few practical habits do most of the work on a busy site. Keep work zones contained with clear physical boundaries and named entry and exit points. Minimize loose materials by ordering packaged or palletized supplies and breaking down packaging away from active surfaces. Secure tools at all times, and tether what cannot be secured. Concentrate trackout at a small number of monitored locations rather than letting it scatter across the project.

Install debris control systems early, before the first major delivery. And train every worker on the project, not just the safety team — the crews on the ground are the first line of FOD defense, and they catch what no inspection schedule can.

Airport construction is where aviation safety and heavy civil work collide, and FOD is the seam between them. Every loose bolt, scrap of packaging, or pile of trackout is a potential incident, and the contractors who handle airfield projects best treat FOD prevention as a daily discipline rather than a quarterly audit. Specify the right equipment from the start, train the crews who deploy it, and inspect on a schedule that matches the work. When you are ready to spec barricades, barriers, and containment solutions for your next airfield project, OTW Safety is ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions About FOD

What is FOD?

FOD is foreign object debris — any object in an aircraft operating area that does not belong and could damage aircraft, equipment, or personnel.

What does FOD mean in aviation?

In aviation, FOD refers to both the debris itself and the foreign object damage it can cause to engines, tires, and aircraft structures.

Why is FOD dangerous?

FOD can cause serious aircraft damage, including engine failure and tire blowouts, and it puts passengers, crews, and ground personnel at risk.

Where is FOD most commonly found?

Runways, taxiways, gates, aprons, maintenance areas, and construction zones near active airfields.

How can FOD be prevented?

Through routine inspections, worker training, debris containment systems, equipment that prevents migration of loose materials, and a documented FOD management plan aligned with airport safety regulations.

In this blog post, we’ll cover highlights like how:

• Construction procurement often takes weeks of internal approvals before a purchase order is issued to the supplier.
• Many suppliers offer quotes valid for only 15-30 days, reducing the time available for internal approvals and often forcing procurement teams to restart the approval process. 
• Expired quotes are big disruptors of project budgets and CMAR/GMP contracts.
• OTW Safety offers a guaranteed 60-day price lock, ensuring the quoted price remains valid throughout the approval process.
• Procurement teams are supported when they can avoid things like re-approval cycles, protect their project budgets, and simplify contract management overall (especially helpful with a reliable, repeat supplier!).

We’ll also cover procurement methods in construction, their significance to the industry, and how a 60-day price lock solves many issues procurement teams and contractors face.

What is Procurement in Construction?

An essential element of construction, procurement is the process of sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, equipment, and services needed for a project. Construction is dynamic, and parts are constantly moving; those on procurement teams are charged with ensuring that their projects receive the correct materials at the right time… and at the right price!  

Those involved in construction procurement are generally responsible for tasks like vendor sourcing, quote comparison, contract negotiation, purchase order management, and supplier coordination. Every decision made in procurement directly affects contract compliance, the project budget, and schedule reliability. Ensuring that supplies are delivered on schedule and that any third-party servicers arrive and complete their work on time, among other things, is integral to maintaining budgets and keeping progress on track.   

Why Construction Procurement Approvals Often Take Weeks 

While impulse purchases happen quite often in daily life, the same can’t be said of construction purchasing. Research and bids must be thorough, and approval stages often take days to weeks to complete, so purchasing decisions rarely occur immediately. 

Common approval stages take significant time, especially when teams and projects are larger, and procurement requests must pass through multiple people before completion. Each stage can involve different people and different suppliers, making each step laborious. For initial quote requests, the estimator must identify required elements such as equipment or materials. From there, vendor comparison is essential to ensure pricing, compliance, and availability align with the project’s scope and timeline. Once vendors are selected and essential supplies are identified, internal approvals require project managers to verify alignment with the project scope and budget. After internal approvals are complete, purchase orders can then be created and issued to the supplier. Because approvals often involve compliance reviews, multi-level signoff, oversight on large budgets, and coordination between procurement, project management, and finance, it is common for approvals to take 30-60 days – especially on large projects.

The Problem with Expiring Quotes in Construction Procurement 

Given how involved the approval process can be, it’s easy to see how issues might arise when a supplier quote expires before it reaches final approval. While the approval process may take 30-60 days, supplier quotes are typically only valid for 15-30 days. 

When this happens in construction procurement, the entire process often has to be restarted. Pricing may have increased due to market changes; a new quote must be issued, and procurement will need to begin internal approvals all over again. This can affect the overall budget, delay the project, require the procurement team to repeat paperwork, and potentially cause supplier frustration due to repeated quotes and wasted time. Unfortunately, this problem is especially common for construction safety equipment and traffic control products, where demand and material costs can fluctuate.  

Procurement Contract Methods in Construction and Why Price Stability Matters

Just as construction projects are varied and require different types of materials, suppliers, labor, etc., so too are the contract methods in construction. An appropriate procurement contract method is essential to maintain efficiency, reduce costs, and have the build completed as desired. Across all methods, the procurement team is responsible for sourcing materials, supplier pricing, purchasing timelines, and contract compliance. The most common types are design-bid-build, design-build, and construction manager at risk (CMAR). 

Design-bid-build

This method is the most widely used of the three noted – a project is designed, a general contractor is hired by the client (generally based on the best bid), the contractor agrees to the budget, and work begins. In this type of contract, the contractor will most often be responsible for a procurement strategy once contracts are awarded.     

Design-build

In a design-build contract, the firm (or contractor) serves as a one-stop shop for both the design process and the construction project. This method has the benefit of every decision being run through a single entity and often offers the advantage of existing supplier relationships and standing pricing agreements. Procurement in this type of contract can also happen earlier in the project lifecycle.  

Construction manager at risk (CMAR)

Similar to a design-build contract, the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) method, the construction manager (CM) or general contractor (or a firm) is the point person for a project’s design process. During this process, the CM commits to a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which is exactly what it sounds like – the maximum amount the client will be responsible for regarding the project. The majority of the risk rests on the contractor’s shoulders, as they are responsible for anything above the predetermined GMP, but this type of contract is often equipped with a larger contingency budget due to potential unexpected costs. This method is often employed for complex projects where early contractor involvement is beneficial to budget and risk control.  

Regardless of the method used, price stability (i.e., a 60-day price lock versus a shorter period) improves budget predictability and increases purchasing confidence.  

How Price Changes Can Disrupt GMP Construction Contracts 

While not all contracts use the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) structure, many contractors and owners/clients with an established relationship will choose to use this “construction manager at risk” model, as trust and prior experience provide a firmer foundation for doing business.   

What Does GMP Stand For?

As noted, GMP stands for “Guaranteed Maximum Price”. This contract framework is often used in construction projects where a maximum price is predetermined and the final project cost cannot exceed that price. Key principles of this structure include project owners receiving predictable budgets and contractors absorbing any costs that exceed the agreed-upon maximum. Cost control with these types of contracts is essential, as a lack of budget oversight could result in a significant cost burden for the contractor at the closure of the project.  

Why Expired Quotes Threaten GMP Budgets

When approval times exceed the validity period of a supplier quote, a GMP budget is at high risk in particular. If a re-quote is necessary and pricing has increased from one or multiple suppliers, procurement may exceed the GMP allowance. When this happens, contractors are required to absorb the unexpected cost increase under the contract. This also means that project margins shrink, specifically when there is little or no contingency left. For safety equipment purchases, even moderate price increases across multiple items can drastically affect project budgets, which is something neither the owner nor the contractor wants.  

How a 60-Day Price Lock Solves the Quote Expiration Problem

Nobody wants to be forced to restart any part of the construction procurement process… but a 60-day price lock is the solution! A price lock guarantees that the original quoted pricing is valid for a specific duration, even if internal approvals take longer than expected.

A supplier quote that is valid for 60 days instead of 15-30 assists a construction procurement team in multiple ways:

• Budget stability is increased thanks to consistent pricing throughout the approval process.
• Fewer revised quotes and budget adjustments reduce the overall administrative work that a team must do.
• Approvals are simplified, as restarting the process is avoided.
• Planning is more efficient – teams can plan purchases with confidence and worry less about price fluctuations 

OTW Safety continually strives to offer customer service that is a step above the rest, and that dedication applies to every facet of our business. We offer a 60-day price lock on all quotes, ensuring that contractors and procurement managers – and anyone else in need of barricades and safety equipment – can be fully confident in the price they receive, even when internal approvals are slow.  

Why a 60-Day Window Works for Construction Procurement

As most construction procurement approvals take 30-60 days, OTW’s guaranteed 60-day price lock ensures budget certainty when obtaining top-of-the-line plastic barricades and safety accessories for perimeter, delineation, and hazard-indication needs. 

Our 60-day price lock covers expected timelines and unexpected delays like:

• Internal review delays
• Contract management processes
• Project scheduling changes
• Financial approvals
• And more

The benefits of a guaranteed price lock are a distinct advantage for procurement in construction. Compared to common 15-30-day quote windows, a 60-day lock appreciably reduces risk when identifying required supplies (and the best supplier for the job), as it ensures the quote remains valid throughout the most common approval process timelines.  

Where Price Locks Fit Into Construction Contract Management

Contract management in construction is the lifeblood of any project. Among the numerous responsibilities of a contract manager, maintaining compliance across several levels is essential. The project budget must be managed precisely, supplier commitments must be upheld, and any cost or scope disputes must be resolved expeditiously.  

While juggling so many crucial pieces, no contract manager wants to find that a previously quoted price has expired and changed due to demand, market values, etc. This is where a 60-day price lock becomes indispensable – it guarantees pricing for 60 days, reduces price volatility, improves vendor reliability, and simplifies procurement documentation. The support and confidence this gives procurement teams in preparing purchase orders is a significant benefit. The locked pricing can be referenced with certainty, and essential elements can be ready and in place exactly when they are required. 

Why Procurement Teams Prefer Vendors With Price Guarantees

A supplier with a price guarantee makes the approval process easier, shows their reliability, and doesn’t keep anyone guessing. This is a huge benefit for procurement teams because it ensures predictable purchasing costs and simplifies budgeting. Fewer approval disruptions and a smoother process also benefit teams by reducing the need to repeat administrative work. Finally, a stronger supplier relationship supports the procurement team, the construction project itself, and the supplier as well – vendors that support procurement workflows often become the first choice for repeat projects.     

How OTW Safety Supports Construction Procurement Teams

OTW Safety knows how important it is to have a dependable supplier and consistent pricing through the entire approval process, and prioritizes reliable procurement support. Because we operate with our customers in mind, we provide top-rated construction barricades and traffic control products – along with essential safety equipment accessories – backed by a 60-day price lock.

The key advantages of that price lock are:

• Quoted pricing is protected
• Re-approval cycles are prevented
• Procurement efficiency is highly supported

At OTW Safety, we are dedicated to being a supplier you can rely on for construction procurement. Our 60-day price lock guarantee policy helps contractors and procurement teams maintain budget accuracy throughout the approval process and ensures that purchasing and procurement workflows run as smoothly as possible. Along with the 60-day price guarantee, we provide accurate and dependable freight costs and delivery times, and excellent customer service. We’re here to support procurement teams from Day 1 to Day 60 of our guaranteed quote pricing, and our 30-plus years in the industry have taught us how to do exactly that.

Ready to get started with a quote guaranteed for 60 days? Our safety experts are ready to create a personalized quote for your procurement needs.   

Frequently Asked Questions

What is procurement in construction?
Construction procurement is the process of sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, equipment, and services needed for a construction project.

Why do construction quotes expire?
Supplier quotes often expire because material costs, supply availability, and market conditions can change, making long-term pricing difficult to guarantee.

What does GMP stand for in construction?
GMP stands for Guaranteed Maximum Price, a contract structure that sets the maximum cost a project can reach.

Why are price locks important in construction procurement?
Price locks prevent cost changes while procurement approvals are underway, helping teams protect project budgets and avoid repeated approval cycles.

How does a 60-day price lock help procurement teams?
A 60-day price lock gives procurement managers enough time to complete internal approvals and issue purchase orders without risking price increases.

The last six years have brought incredible growth, global challenges, and everything in between. World events since 2020 have impacted our communities and workplaces in a myriad of ways, and 2025 was no different.  

Continued uncertainty around tariffs, global trade, and labor markets greatly impacted the construction and manufacturing industries, with many businesses unsettled and concerned for the future of their livelihoods. We acknowledge and honor those feelings when faced with the unpredictable, as it is never easy. In the midst of great uncertainty, however, there is the opportunity to continue to do the next needed thing and face the future with hope. 

As every year before, we at OTW Safety are committed to building a resilient future for our company and our communities. For OTW, this means that when life takes us on an unexpected route, we can push through and continue the work while acknowledging and adapting to the challenges along the way.

As we come out of yet another unprecedented year, we want to take the time to reflect on both the hard and the good – to look back on what we have accomplished despite uncertainty and to look forward to the future of safety with anticipation.          

Highlights of 2025

If we’ve said it once, we’ll say it many times more in the years to come: innovation and investing in the future of safety are two of the things OTW Safety values deeply and does best. In 2025, our teams prioritized staying up to date on the latest safety developments and delved into what it would take to elevate the OTW customer experience. It’s safe to say that, yet again, we dedicated the time and investment necessary – both to our products and the areas of our site – that would best enhance every encounter with OTW Safety. 

Last year, we focused on meeting our customers where they were, and, to do this, we redesigned multiple products, reevaluated the products that would best serve our client base, and even created new safety accessories. Here are some of the highlights:

OTW Quick Shop

We worked on expanding access to our core product line and debuted our online purchasing site, the OTW Quick Shop. This site, located in the main menu bar at the top of OTWSafety.com, enables you to order small quantities of OTW barricades with just a click of the mouse. With orders specifically intended to use FedEx and LTL, these smaller orders ship quickly and efficiently – right to your door!  

OTW42x45

Our Wedge Barricade became the OTW42x45 – this name change simplifies things from every angle, and it clearly states the barricade’s dimensions, which means more confidence in ordering the best barricade for your application. 

Crowd Control Weights

We also created a long-awaited accessory for our Billboard Barricades. Many customers appreciate that these pedestrian barriers can be ballasted with water or sand, but, in many cases, it’s not always feasible for an event or venue. To meet the need for a way to secure the barricades without an internal ballast, we created our Crowd Control Weights. These are perfectly weighted and shaped to ballast the barricades externally, and they come in easy-to-transport carry bags that make relocation and storage a breeze. They also help ensure that transitioning barricades from inside to outside (or vice versa) is simple and seamless. 

Customers have branched out in their barricade choices, and many of our construction clients have found many creative uses for the Billboard Barricade at their sites. We’re excited to continue to see the CC42 in action across the country and how our new Crowd Control Weights complement uses both new and old. These are now available for pre-order on our site or through our team.   

32” Multipurpose JSS Barricade

Finally, we overhauled our 32” Multipurpose JSS Barricade! A redesign completed in 2025 (with high hopes for an official launch in 2026), the new OTW32x45 will feature a similar profile to that of our newly renamed OTW42x45. This updated design emulates our most popular barricade (the OTW42x72) and fully integrates with all of our barricade accessories, like the Barricade Fence Panel and all of our solar hazard lights. The redesign is meant to help meet the needs of our clients across the country, and the refined manufacturing process will allow us to meet high-volume requests for mission-critical projects when needed.           

Safety for one, safety for all

Our commitment to improving safety remains steadfast, and we appreciate that you are as dedicated as we are to the bettering of systems, products, and procedures that make safety possible. 30 years ago, OTW Safety got its start in the safety industry by designing its very first barricade… today, we’ve created an expansive product catalog, developed an amazing team, and partner with customers across the globe to make their sites and venues (and more) as safe as possible.

Thank you for your continued support and for trusting us with all your safety barricade and accessory needs. To our customers, partners, and community: thank you for continuing to be the driving force behind everything we do here at OTW Safety. 

As you plan what’s in store for this coming year, we hope that you’ll allow us to support your projects and businesses in running smoothly and safely. 

We look forward to creating safer spaces for all with you in 2026!

To keep you informed about recent and current safety highlights, we’ve compiled updates and national stories here to keep you up to date on all things safety.

This month, we’ll highlight Pennsylvania’s solution for enhanced traffic and highway safety, the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America, the National Safety Council’s prediction for the decrease in U.S. traffic fatalities, and more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Table of Contents

1 – A ‘commonsense approach to enhance safety’: Pennsylvania adds truck parking spaces

2 – The Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America: Is Yours on the List? 

3 – National Safety Council Projects 12% Decrease in U.S. Traffic Fatalities in 2025

4 – Construction safety doesn’t have a compliance problem, it has a confidence problem

5 – Navigating the New ADA Title II Digital Accessibility Rule: What Airports Need to Know

6 – Senate committee agrees on need for federal safety standards for automated vehicles

A ‘commonsense approach to enhance safety’: Pennsylvania adds truck parking spaces

When driving long distances, it’s common for fatigued truck drivers to find any place they can to pull off the road so they can take a break and get some rest (which, in turn, does make the roads safer). Unfortunately, this often means they can be found on road shoulders, near exit ramps, and more, which can still be dangerous for other motorists. Pennsylvania DOT is seeking to remedy this by adding more semi-truck parking spaces in safe locations statewide, starting with 339 new spaces at 24 locations. The intended plan is to reach 1,200 spaces by the end of 2026. 

The Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America: Is Yours on the List? | ISHN

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its 2024 data concerning the number of fatalities and injuries on the job. While there was a decrease in the total number of deaths from occupational accidents, one person still loses their life every 104 minutes. The fatality rate, which the BLS calculates as the number of fatal workplace injuries per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, dropped to 3.3% in 2024, but the numbers still remain higher than they should. This article covers the top 10 most dangerous jobs, and the first three mentioned are logging workers, fishing and hunting workers, and roofers, which account for 98.9, 86.9, and 51.8 deaths per 100,000 FTE workers.    

National Safety Council Projects 12% Decrease in U.S. Traffic Fatalities in 2025

Recent analysis from the National Safety Council estimates a 12% decrease in motor vehicle deaths in 2025 from 2024. These numbers reflect the efforts of initiatives like those that the Road to Zero Coalition works toward. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Road to Zero Coalition is working toward a nation with zero roadway deaths. The Safe System Approach, one of several initiatives by the NSC and the U.S. DOT,  focuses on five key elements to decrease roadway danger: safer roads, safer speeds, safer people, safer vehicles, and better post-crash care. With continued success in the Safe System Approach, preventable traffic fatalities may continue to decrease.   

Construction safety doesn’t have a compliance problem, it has a confidence problem

While regulations are more stringent than ever, and while businesses that wish to stay aboveboard generally comply with them to the letter, there’s often still a missing link between compliance and actual safety on the jobsite. In cases where safety isn’t prioritized, or in other cases where paperwork decreases the time available to spend executing projects, compliance and the flow of work can become disconnected. Paper processes still maintain preeminence as the main reporting and compliance method, but the need for physical paperwork can often decrease response time in critical situations. Construction Today suggests a safety and productivity platform that changes the way that sites operate from start to finish and strengthens safety culture.    

Navigating the New ADA Title II Digital Accessibility Rule: What Airports Need to Know

Accessibility has long been a challenge for those who require it, but the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent ruling under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II will expand accessibility regarding public entities and their digital services. Airports in particular are required to be in full compliance by April 24, 2026, in regard to their websites, operating systems, multimedia applications, mobile applications, and more. This includes elements like auditing each of these entities to ensure that they are accessible on every level, with appropriate aids like captions, audio descriptions, and other accessibility options. This will be an in-depth process as airports and other public entities seek to achieve and maintain compliance in the months and years to come.  

Senate committee agrees on need for federal safety standards for automated vehicles

Autonomous vehicles have descended on the roadways of the United States, and AV robotaxi pioneers Waymo and Tesla have urged Congress to set and regulate federal safety standards for all automated vehicles, as standards currently differ greatly across states, and global competition is heating up. Tesla has encouraged this route as the way to maintain America’s position in global technological development, and is urging Congress to allow and equip the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to provide the needed framework for regulations. Many in Congress support the need for federal regulations concerning automated vehicles, but others see the robotaxis as encroaching on the jobs of human taxi and rideshare drivers. A recent hearing brought all of this information to Congress, but it remains to be seen what legislation will make it through both the House and the Senate.      

OTW News

Contact us to order a crowd control weight

We’ve been developing a new accessory for the classic Billboard Barricade: the perfect complement to our Billboard Barricade (CC42x96), the Crowd Control Hanging Weight (CC-H-WEIGHT-18). When sandbags or water aren’t an option, the crowd control weight slides on easily without tools or hardware. Once in place, 18 lbs of durable rubber ballast lowers the center of gravity and secures the barricade against movement—without changing its footprint or overall look.

Our newest temporary runway closure marker is making its debut at OTW… say hello to the Vinyl X! 

Designed for use on runways or taxiways that need to be temporarily marked as closed, the Vinyl X is made of a lightweight, UV-resistant, PVC-coated polyester. This heavy-duty material ensures that your Vinyl X is weather and tear-resistant. Available in four sizes to support both runways (60x60x8, 60x60x10) and taxiways (30x30x4, 30x30x5), your next runway closure marker is a durable and versatile choice that meets all FAA requirements. Low-profile beanbags are also available as an anchoring option, and every Vinyl X is Buy American Qualified.   

What are temporary closure markers?

If you’re in the aviation industry, chances are good you are familiar with runway closure markers. If you’re not, however, we’ve got a great blog article that digs into what they are and why they’re important. Check out our Guide to Airport Closure Markers for a refresh or to learn something new! 

Vinyl Closure Marker on display from above

Which runway closure marker is best for my application?

The FAA has stringent regulations pertaining to closed runways, and every airport must abide by these rules to keep its passengers and crews safe. If available, a lighted marker (our Lighted X fits the bill) is recommended for marking all closed runways, but if one is not available, the other option is an “easily removed material such as plywood or fabric, rather than painted on the runway”. This is where the Vinyl X comes in. If you’re not sure which closure marker is the best choice for you, you can check out our Temporary Closure Marker Buying Checklist to determine if a lighted marker or a vinyl option is best for your application. 

Airport safety is an OTW priority 

We’ve been in the safety business for over 30 years, and we’re committed to creating and providing airports with the best safety products on the market. From our original Low-Profile Airport Barricade (AR10x96) to the Mid-Profile Airport Barricade (AR24x96) to our newly redesigned hazard flags and airport barricade hazard lights… to our brand new Vinyl X Runway Closure Marker, we’ve got you covered when it comes to maintaining the highest level of safety at any airport or airport construction site.