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

CONSTRUCTION SITE DEATHS SET TO FALL?

HSE in-year fatality records for 2018/19 suggest significant reduction

HSE ENFORCEMENT DATABASE UPDATE 20th MAR 2019

Latest online register of prosecutions and enforcement notices

BRICKLAYER FATALLY INJURED BY FALLING WALL

Masonry collapsed during concrete back filling operation

BASIC LADDER SAFETY FAILURES FINED £150,000

Repair and maintenance firm had no excuse for errors causing injury

HSE ISSUES REMINDER ON SAFE SCAFFOLD DESIGN

Recent incidents and high winds prompt warning from regulator

LORRY DRIVER DIED IN OVERHEAD POWER STRIKE

Major company failed to communicate precautions to grab arm operator

ASSESSMENT SHOWED RISK – PRECAUTIONS NOT TAKEN

Workman seriously injured when falling into open unguarded stairwell

MAJOR FIRM FAILED TO IMPLEMENT SAFE SYSTEM

Procedures for safe plant refuelling failed to prevent death of workman

CLIENT PROSECUTED OVER CONTRACTOR FATAL FALL

Company breached duty to protect contractors as well as employees

FOURTEEN YEAR FAILURE TO MANAGE ASBESTOS

Firm failed to implement asbestos management plan following survey

CHILD INJURED BY WALL COLLAPSE INCIDENT

Council failed to carry out “intelligence led” condition inspections

BOTTLE JACK SUPPORT FAILED TO PREVENT DEATH

Director sentenced alongside company over death of engineer

TEMPORARY WORKS FAILURES CAUSED FATAL FALL

Platform not designed and system for installation and inspection inadequate

SOLVENT IGNITED DURING FLOOR CLEANING WORKS

Flammable solvent fire fought with water spreading fire further

INEVITABLE COLLAPSE OF SCAFFOLD ON TO SCHOOL

Scaffold not designed or installed to withstand foreseeable loads

OIL DRUM EXPLODED DURING HOT CUTTING WORK

Firm fined £400k after drum lid ejected causing loss of leg

ROOFLIGHT FALL ON NUCLEAR POWER SITE

Energy generating company and maintenance contractor fined

DIRECTOR PROSECUTED AFTER 6METRE ROOF FALL

Untrained worker fell through rooflight in fragile asbestos roof

HSE ALERT: MILD STEEL WELDING CANCER RISK

HSE announces enforcement action change based on new cancer evidence

LORRY MOUNTED LIFTING OPERATION PROVED FATAL

Steel staircase toppled from vehicle after sling snagged

DIRECTOR AND BUSINESS IN COURT OVER DEATH

Scaffold not priced for on domestic roof-line refurbishment work

FRAGILE ROOFLIGHT HAZARD PROTECTION MISSING

Two businesses prosecuted after a worker fell through a fragile rooflight

STRUCTURAL SAFETY BODY LATEST NEWSLETTER

CROSS publishes reports and expert comment on a range of issues

FINGERS CRUSHED BY METAL FOLDING MACHINE

Steel cladding firm fined £600k over failure guard access to danger

ASBESTOS ILLEGALLY REMOVED AFTER SURVEY

Surveyor pricing asbestos work found contractor jumped the gun

News Archives