Traveling safely, slowly, and attentively through work zones is immensely important. But what can YOU do to keep our field staff safe while they’re working on or alongside roads? For starters, you can follow and share these tips provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Our Roads, Our Safety campaign.
- Research your route: Before setting out on the road, research your route. When possible, avoid work zones and use any detours that are available.
- Pay attention: Be aware of all signs throughout work zones that can indicate reduced speeds, lane changes, and other important information. Avoid distractions such as your cell phone, eating, drinking, the radio, GPS, and conversing with passengers.
- Slow down: Lane closures, traffic pattern shifts, and reduced speeds are common in work zones. Be sure to slow down when entering a work zone and keep a lookout for road workers.
- Move into the open lane: When approaching lane closures, don't procrastinate moving into the designated lane. The Wisconsin State Patrol recommends using the zipper merge technique. Be sure to pay close attention to vehicles around you that could be in your blind spot, and ensure you’re not traveling in someone else’s.
- Keep your distance: Rear-end crashes are extremely common in work zones. Always maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
With 30 years of experience in the utility industry, focusing on safety, health, and human performance, Bill Freidig, Regional Safety Manager at Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin, shared his insights into work zone safety.
“With my experience working with field workers, we look to mitigate risks at many levels. They always identify Work Zone Safety as one of their top 3 workplace hazards. Field staff do an excellent job of identifying as many hazards as they can to prepare for their jobs each day. They have great conversations every day, all day, to go home at the end of each day safe and healthy,” explained Freidig.
“Work zones create uncertain situations for field workers. Hazards they see each day on the roadway as they work are traffic speed, drivers not obeying the cones/barricades, inattentiveness at the wheel, and disregard for the worker’s safety,” pointed out Freidig.
“We have a mantra we live by… I AM GOING HOME TODAY,” continued Freidig. “We need the Sun Prairie community to be part of our safety team! Next time you approach a work zone, please do your part to help make sure our Sun Prairie Utilities team goes home safe every day.”
For more information on work zone safety, please visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Our Roads, Our Safety campaign.