Transportation Partners Designate This Work Zone SafetyWeek

April 3, 2000
"Stay alert." "Don't speed." "Expect the unexpected." These are just a few of the safety tips being promoted during National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.

To help reduce fatalities and injuries in highway construction areas, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) devoted April 3-7 to highway workers.

In the past decade, more than 8,000 fatalities have been reported in work zones.

The actual number of fatalities is believed to be higher due to inconsistent reporting procedures. In 1998 alone, there were 772 fatalities and more than 37,000 work zone injuries.

Fatalities and injuries affect both workers and the traveling public.

ATSSA, AASHTO and FHWA believe that increased worker training and enhanced awareness on the part of motorists and work zone workers will lead to a reduction of fatalities and injuries for both.

"Roadway work zones are a way of life in every community across America. Motorists need to be aware of them and the workers within them," said ATSSA Executive Director Roger A. Wentz. "If drivers would simply slow to posted speed limits in work zones, disengage from distracting activities such as cellular phone usage, and be aware of the workers, countless lives would be saved."

For more information on Work Zone Safety Week go to www.atssa.com

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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