Weekly Safety Meeting

For The Construction Industry

WORK ZONE SAFETY

National Work Zone Awareness Week is an annual spring campaign intended to encourage safe driving through highway work zones. This year's awareness week is scheduled for April 9th through the 13th. The theme is Work Zone Safety: Everybody's Responsibility.

Did you know that in 2016, 683 fatal crashes occurred in work zones? That year, 143 workers lost their lives.

Work zones are dangerous places since they involve construction workers who are in close proximity to fast-moving traffic and heavy equipment. Add in distracted drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, traffic congestion, delays, stress, and unexpected changes to the traffic pattern, and you've got a recipe for an accident. Work zone safety is everyone's concern and everybody's responsibility. Let's discuss what you can do to make work zones safer.

If your job requires you to be in a work zone, it's important that you always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. Wear high-visibility clothing with fluorescent colors and retroreflective material. Hi-vis clothing makes you visible from at least 1,000 feet away. Check the label or packaging to ensure that you have Class 2 or Class 3 clothing. Your goal is to be seen!

In a work zone, you can find just about every kind of heavy equipment. Back-up alarms are blaring constantly, and sometimes you might get so accustomed to hearing them, that you don't pay attention. Fight that complacency!

Paying attention to back-up alarms can save your life.

Almost all equipment has blind spots. Keep two rules in mind: 1) Don't be where you can't see the operator, because then he can't see you. 2) Get an "OK" from the operator before you cross in front of or behind the equipment.

Think about logistics. Put portable restrooms in safe spots that are out of harm's way. Make sure workers have a safe path of travel to and from these facilities. Set up concrete barriers (Jersey barriers or K-rails) so they are between you and traffic. When you position lights to illuminate the work area, make sure you set them up so that they won't blind oncoming motorists.

There's a lot of road construction in the summer months. Even if you don't work in them, you'll likely encounter work zones at some point. First, try to avoid them whenever possible. Whether you walk, bike or drive around town, find alternate routes that keep you out of work zones.

When you do go through work zones: Put your phone in the glove box. Slow down. Follow the work zone speed limit. Be extra alert and prepare to make sudden stops. Watch for and obey flaggers. Don't rush; plan extra time to get to your destination. If you're walking, take the earbuds out of your ears, and don't text and walk. If you're on a bike, always move with traffic and ride safely, so drivers can see you and anticipate your movements.

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