Work Zone Awareness Week 2021 poster. Source: Michigan Department of Transportation
As spring begins, CSEA members and other workers will be maintaining roads and bridges across the state.
National Work Zone Awareness Week will take place April 26-30. This year’s theme is “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.”
Since the union began keeping records in 1983, 57 CSEA members have passed away on the job through work zone incidents. The union continues the fight for greater worker protections and community awareness.
As workforce density reduction restrictions have been lifted, crews will be out in full force repairing roads and bridges. To help these workers stay safe on the job, drivers are urged to be patient, slow down and move over if they can do so safely.
The “Move Over” Law in New York State also applies to work zones and violations can result in drivers getting 2 points on their license and up to $150 in fines.
Drivers are also urged to obey flagger signs and instructions, as they are trying to guide vehicles safely through and around the work zone.
Twenty eight (28) of the CSEA member work zone fatalities occurred due to operational hazards within the work zone.
For members who are working in work zones, always remember that employers must have a temporary traffic control plan before the start of the job. Use spotters when backing up. Never ride on a bucket or vehicle unless it’s designed for that specific use and be sure flaggers have a means of escape from aggressive drivers.
Get more safety resources from CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department at https://cseany.org/safety.
