10 Ways to Engage with National Work Zone Awareness Week April 26-30

BY AsphaltPro Staff

Did you know there were 762 fatal crashes in work zones in 2019? According to the National Work Zone Safety Clearing house, these crashes resulted in 842 deaths, including the deaths of 135 roadway workers.

That’s why National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) continues it’s goal to spread the message that we are ALL responsible for work zone safety with it’s 21st annual national public awareness campaign. This year’s NWZAW will be held April 26-30, 2021 and the theme is “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.”

It is a message all of us in the asphalt industry can support. That’s why the team at AsphaltPro has prepared a list of ways to get involved in 2021’s events below.

1) Add the NWZAW frame to your social media.

Add the NWZAW frame to your Facebook profile picture. Login to Facebook or use your phone app, then select the option to change your profile picture. Choose the “Add Frame” option. Search for “NWZAW_2021” and click on the frame. Click “Use as Profile Picture” or “Save” to add it to your profile.

2) Like, comment, share NWZAW messages on social media.

State departments of transportation, federal agencies and other organizations (including AsphaltPro!) will be participating in NWZAW and Go Orange Day, putting out Public Service Announcements about work zone safety.

Like, comment and share those messages on social media – or share posts of your own – using the hashtags #NWZAW and #GoOrange4Safety.

3) Participate in Work Zone Safety Training Day on April 26.

The week starts on April 26 with Work Zone Safety Training Day, which emphasizes the importance of laying the groundwork for safety through training of personnel. Companies are encouraged to pause during the workday for safety demonstrations, discussions about safety policies and other prevention steps.

NAPA has also put together a toolkit to use for Work Zone Safety Training Day.

4) Engage in the National Struck-By Safety Stand Down

Since 1992, struck-by injuries have been the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry. The National Struck-By Safety Stand Down, occurring the same week as NWZAW, encourages employers and workers to pause voluntarily during the workday for safety demonstrations, training in hazard recognition and fall prevention, and talks about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Resources to conduct your own stand down can be found at CPWR’s website.

5) Support this year’s host, MDOT. Watch their work zone livestream April 27.

This year’s NWZAW will be hosted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). There’s a kickoff event to be held at 11 a.m. ET on April 27 at an MDOT project on M-59 in Macomb County. The event will be livestreamed and is hosted by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

6) Find other local NWZAW events.

NWZAW events take place across the United States, with partnerships between state departments of transportation (DOT), national road safety organizations, government agencies, private companies and individuals. Find NWZAW events across the country on the NWZAW website.

7) Wear orange on Go Orange Day April 28.

All roadway safety professionals across the country are encouraged to wear orange to proudly show their support of work zone safety. Go Orange Day and NWZAW is an important time to show your support of the roadway safety industry, especially to the families of victims who have lost their lives in work zones.

Post photos of their Go Orange Day activities to further spread awareness of work zone safety, with the hashtag #GoOrange4Safety (and #NWZAW).

8) Attend FHWA’s Work Zone Data Exchange Project Webinar April 29.

Join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for a webinar April 29, 2021, from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET to learn about the advent, progress and future of the Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) project. The project is an open-source data specification that facilitates the collection of live, accurate and actionable work zones to improve roadway safety nationwide.

The webinar will provide a comprehensive look into the current status of the WZDx project, the need for safer work zones and open-source data, how state and local agencies are implementing the WZDx Specification, current efforts to spur adoption nationwide and how to get involved.

9) Participate in NAPA’s 2021 WatchForUs Giveaway Contest.

During April, National Asphalt Pavement Association members who promote the #WatchForUs message and National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 26-30) will rack up points to win a 45 quart, hard-sided RTIC cooler branded with the WatchForUs logo. Learn more: https://napa-awards.secure-platform.com/a/page/watchforus

10) Visit the NWZAW website for additional resources.

The NWZAW website has tons of great resources, photos, statistics, and more details on the history of NWZAW and how to get involved.