Workers sign: what it means
The orange WORKERS sign warns that people are working in or near the road ahead. Slow down and give them room.
What does the WORKERS sign mean?
MUTCD Section 6H.18 says a Workers sign may be used to alert road users to workers in or near the roadway, and should be used when workers are in the road and there are no other warning devices. The WORKERS word sign may be used instead of the symbol sign.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Workers are in or near the road.
- A flagger is controlling traffic ahead.
- The work zone ends here.
Show answer
A. Workers are in or near the road. It alerts you to workers in or near the road (MUTCD Section 6H.18). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 6, Temporary Traffic Control: Section 6H.18, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Where will you see it?
In work zones, before crews working on the road or shoulder.
What should you do?
Slow down, stay alert and move away from the workers if you can do it safely.
What do people get wrong?
Driving at the normal speed because you cannot see anyone yet.
Common questions
Are fines higher in work zones?
Where fines are higher, MUTCD Section 6G.08 says a BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE sign should mark the start. Check your state driver handbook.
Is there a symbol version?
Yes. The W21-1 sign shows a worker with a shovel; this word sign is an alternative.
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Section 6H.18.
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 6, Temporary Traffic Control: Section 6H.18, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025
Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.