The annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, taking place this week April 9-13, emphasizes work zone safety to protect workers and motorists alike. This year’s theme, “Work Zone Safety: Everybody’s Responsibility”, is an effort at the state level to raise awareness among drivers about the importance of driving safely around work zones while educating roadside workers on the hazards they face.
Hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured in road work zones in 2016 alone. In response, this week states, local government, and employers across the country have been partnering with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to train road workers on the many dangers of roadway work activities.
Of particular focus are struck by hazards, which are a leading cause of construction related deaths. While struck by injuries often involve heavy equipment such as trucks and cranes present at a work site, many of these injuries and fatalities occur when construction sites are near public roadways with passing motorists.
It is important that adequate traffic signs, barricades or flaggers are present when construction takes place near public roadways to keep drivers and workers safe. Workers must be highly visible in all levels of light wearing warning clothing, such as red or orange vests, with reflective material when necessary. When motorist approach a construction zone along the roadway, they should slow down and pay attention to avoid injury to themselves or others.
If precautions are taken by workers and the many motorists that weave through construction zones regularly, there is no reason why work zone injuries and fatalities can be significantly reduced.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Iowa work zone accident, contact the Davenport personal injury attorneys of McDonald, Woodward & Carlson PC for immediate assistance today at 563-355-6478.
Source: workzonesafety.org, “National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week”, accessed April 12, 2018.