The LHSFNA Fights to Protect Roadway Workers

This article highlights the ongoing efforts of the Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA) to advocate for enhanced safety measures for construction workers, with a specific focus on the dangers faced by roadway workers. Ryan Papariello, the Fund’s Safety and Health Specialist, serves on OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) and recently proposed a rulemaking initiative to address the critical need for safety protections in roadway construction zones. The proposal emphasizes the tragic and preventable incidents involving workers in work zones and suggests the implementation of Internal Traffic Control Plans (ITCPs) as a comprehensive strategy to protect workers. Despite existing consensus standards for ITCPs, the LHSFNA urges OSHA to mandate their use to better safeguard workers on foot from moving vehicles and heavy equipment. The article concludes by reporting the ACCSH’s approval of Papariello’s motion, recommending OSHA to review and consider industry consensus language for protecting roadway workers, marking a crucial step forward in addressing these safety concerns. Fund staff remain committed to promoting safety guidelines, and relevant publications are available to support worker safety initiatives.