DRIVER AND ROAD WORKER SAFETY

Highways Agency urges drivers to “Respect Our Road Workers”

The Highways Agency (HA) is reminding drivers to take extra care when driving through roadworks both for their own safety and that of thousands of workers who maintain our roads.

Eleven roadworkers were killed and 104 seriously injured between 2003 and 2008 while working on motorways and major A roads in England.

Campaign looks to raise driver awareness

HA staff along with representatives of Police Forces, County Council Road Safety Teams and the HA contractors are on the road meeting drivers and talking to members of the public at various locations across the UK.

Drivers have the chance to see traffic management vehicles close up including Crash Cushions placed at the start of a lane closure and Incident Support Unit vehicles used to clear the carriageway following an accident.

Reduced speed is a critical factor

Peter Smith, the HA Manager responsible for the M11 near Cambridge, said:“Roadworkers work in a dangerous environment and deserve respect and consideration from drivers.

Driving through half a mile of roadworks at 70mph takes just ten seconds less than at 50mph – a ten second saving which can put lives at risk.

Speed restrictions, cones, barriers, signs are there for a reason – to protect our workers from danger and to keep road users safe. I urge all drivers to obey speed restrictions and pay close attention to safety when driving through roadworks.”

In Autumn 2008, the HA launched a DVD called ‘Respect’, highlighting why drivers need to have respect for road workers and a greater appreciation of the consequences their actions could have.

What drivers can do to improve safety at roadworks

The industry – including the HA – also has a major part to play, and the Agency has provided two mobile training vehicles, for employers to help keep their staff up to date with the latest safe working practices.

For the safety of road workers and all road users HA advices that when approaching roadworks drivers should:

Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.
Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.
Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.
Observe all signs – they are there to help you.

This article was posted on 5th February 2010 in ALL LATEST NEWS, DRIVING FOR WORK, ROADWORKS.
PP Construction Safety H&S Assistance and Consultancy service.

Construction Health & Safety News, Advice and Information from PP Construction Safety

DRIVER AND ROAD WORKER SAFETY

Highways Agency urges drivers to “Respect Our Road Workers”

Latest Construction Health and Safety News

ROOF COLLAPSED UNDER EXCESS LOADING

Director and company fined over roof design failures

FORK LIFT OVERTURNED IN SCAFFOLDING YARD

Untrained operator suffered life changing crush injuries

STRUCTURAL SAFETY ALERT: EFFECTS OF SCALE

SCOSS issues alert after concerns disclosed over ‘large structures’

ASBESTOS EXPOSED BY UNTRAINED WORKERS

Contractor failed to act properly despite HSE intervention

GAS MAIN STRIKE REPAIR CAUSED SEVERE BURNS

Contractor excavator damage to gas pipe ends in £1.2m fine

REBAR FELL FROM FLT IN UNSAFE LIFTING OPERATION

Multiple fractures caused by inappropriate use of fork lift

HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 7th NOV 2018

Prosecutions and enforcement notices register latest version

POORLY PLANNED LIFT DISMANTLE INJURED WORKMAN

Counterweight or suspension rope struck worker in lift shaft

CONSTRUCTION INJURY AND ILL-HEALTH 2017/18

Fatal injury rate in long term decline whilst ill-health trend flat lining

DUMPER DRIVEN INTO OPEN UNGUARDED EXCAVATION

Contractor fined over absence of suitable excavation / dumper precautions

DEATH FAILED TO TRIGGER PREVENTIVE ACTION

Prison term for director whilst his company ordered to pay £3/4m

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN GUARDS PROVES COSTLY

Woodworking machinery defective despite previous HSE advice

CISRS LAUNCH SYSTEM SCAFFOLD INSPECTION COURSES

Training courses prompted by growing use of system scaffolding

HSE INSPECTS CLADDING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT

Advice to Inspectors published on fire risk during work on tall buildings

HIGHWAYS, RAIL AND WATER HEALTH & SAFETY HUBS

Websites provide useful information, alerts and tools

ELIMINATING CONCRETE DRILLING VIBRATION HAZARD

Cutting specialist innovation avoids vibration exposure management

NEW MEWP WORK AT HEIGHT RESCUE GUIDANCE

Industry body publishes simple guidance on MEWP stranding actions

HSE PUBLISH RIDDOR DATA VISUALISATION TOOL

Construction injury records made more relevant and easily used

COUNCIL OVERLOOKED ICE RINK SLIPPING RISK

Obvious risk of employees falling on ice rink was left uncontrolled

STRUCTURAL SAFETY BODY LATEST NEWSLETTER

CROSS publishes reports and expert comment on a range of issues

YOUNG WORKER FELL FROM PETROL STATION CANOPY

Steel fabricator after young construction worker falls on first day at work

FIRM FINED OVER FAILURE AT ASSESS VIBRATION RISK

Vibration regulations not acted upon until seven years in operation

FAILURE TO ISOLATE LEAVES WORKMAN PARALYSED

Conveyor guards removed before power source isolated

TRADING STANDARDS AND HSE ACT IN CONCERT

Director given prison term over fraud and health and safety breaches

BUILDER ERROR CAUSED FALL OF RESIDENT

Director prosecuted over refurb project danger to others

News Archives