There are several key points to keep in mind when it comes to road safety: • Never forget the risks. It is easy for a vehicle to hit someone who is on or near a roadway, and the consequences of an accident are likely to be serious. Think about more than just traffic. Remember, any vehicles being used to complete the roadwork also present a risk to employees. • Employers are legally obligated to provide the safest possible work environment for their employees. That includes protecting employees from risk when they must work on or near roadways. • A safe environment is not something that happens by accident. Robust safety practices and training for traffic control technicians can prevent accidents from occurring. • When accidents occur, employees can be traumatized physically and emotionally. A focus on safety effectively reduces the number of accidents that will occur. That means employees will be healthier and better able to do the work you ask them to do. • Accidents bring productivity to a stop. The resulting delays affect project timelines and can seriously increase the cost of a project. If you want to enjoy the benefits of operating efficiently, you will do everything you can to prevent accidents from occurring. But how, exactly, do you create a safe working environment for street employees? • It starts with training. Become familiar with safe practices, including controlling traffic. • Be educated and familiar with work zone signage and know how to drive defensively when using company vehicles so that other employees are not at risk. • Reach out to the general public as much as possible, including your friends and family. Educate drivers about driving more slowly and cautiously when employees are working on the streets. • Make workers visible to drivers. They should wear clothing that is highly visible and have safety equipment such as reflective vests, hard hats and self‑illumination devices for any work happening at night. • Manage traffic in work zones by using industry-approved barriers, cones and flaggers who can guide traffic safely past work areas. • Ensure your vehicles are in good working condition by inspecting them regularly and performing routine maintenance as required. To learn more, please visit www.roadsafetraffic.com. 23
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