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Texas Highway Worker Safety

June 8th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

Increasing public awareness of the need to be careful around highway construction workers is critical to Texas highway worker safety. That’s why OSHA decided the first week of April should be National Work Zone Awareness Week each year. Drivers need to pay attention to the safety zones used by highway workers and slow down when driving near these zones.

Officials hope that the theme for this year’s campaign, “Signs for Change,” will remind drivers to exercise caution.

The dangers that affect Texas highway worker safety are significant. Consider the statistics. Over 20,000 workers are injured while performing construction on streets and highways. Sadly, many workers die from the injuries they receive on the job.

The Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr, explained, “Employees who work in highway zones have one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States and these employees need not only OSHA’s support, but the support of everyone who gets behind the wheel on a daily basis.”

According to Assistant Secretary Foulke, “There were nearly 1,100 work zone fatalities last year — that is a tragedy. I am hopeful that campaigns like this will help reduce those numbers.”

How will OSHA approach this campaign? OSHA is cooperating with the Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners Alliance to improve highway construction worker safety. These two organizations will work to promote public awareness of the problem and the need for drivers to use caution near highway worker safety zones. Moreover, these two organizations will spotlight additional health issues that highway workers face. To help, OSHA has an array of resources available that address the safety of highway workers.