Heavy and Highway Workzone Safety

This article provides brief fatality statistics for workers on heavy and highway construction projects. Hazards include moving vehicles entering the workzone or operating within the workzone. Reasons given for these hazards include poor traffic control and design and procedures, poor vehicle and equipment maintenance (for example, malfunctioning warning devices), and failure to follow safety policies. Prevention tips are provided. These include good traffic control and proper communication with drivers, as well as tips for workers on precautions they should be responsible for taking. Precautions include not assuming duties or operating machinery for which they are unqualified, wearing proper reflective clothing, and following vehicle and equipment safety practices.