I was driving back to the office after lunch today and noticed this scene. I had to flip around a few blocks and pass by a second time to take this photo.
Dude is up a ladder extending out into the street. I’ll concede the ladder foot is within what would typically be the parking lane and not the lane with actual moving traffic. But when there are no cars parked at the curb and no paint marked parking spaces, you can argue that the full street to the curb is designated for travel. Regardless of ANY of that, you can still foresee that a vehicle could possibly drift over into that space – perhaps a distracted driver (or one who is fumbling with a phone taking photos).
It is reassuring to see that the utility truck and its immediate perimeter beyond the ladder is safely guarded by the bright orange safety cone – warding off any passing vehicles from getting too close for comfort! The line worker can easily be replaced if he gets injured. But the truck on the other hand…