In the United States this week, folks are celebrating independence in a variety of ways. Some include alcohol throughout the day, making their commutes between family picnics and fireworks in the park somewhat treacherous. Make sure your work zone safety program has an extra degree of awareness this week as you watch out for speedsters and drivers who might be weaving across lines.
Even if your traffic control doesn’t require a crash attenuator, could you work its rental cost into the budget? Even if your traffic control requires cones be spaced every 25 feet, would your team be safer if the cones were every 12 feet instead and included a flashing light or orange flag atop them? Even if it takes a few seconds to sound the alarm, could you equip your flaggers with high-decibel whistles to blow if they see an incursion about to happen? Even if your state doesn’t require it yet, could you invest in a technology that detects and shrieks when a vehicle enters the work zone?
You might be thinking, “Hey, Sandy, that stuff costs time and money.” Yes, it does. So does stopping to call an ambulance for a worker who’s down because a drunk driver didn’t see the extra orange signage before careening into your work zone. Do all you can to protect and safeguard one another throughout the construction season, especially when holidays encourage inebriation. Stay safe out there and have a Happy Independence Day!
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