B.C. campaign promotes safety for roadside workers

The British Columbia government and WorkSafeBC launched its annual campaign this week to aimed at increasing driver awareness about the dangers faced by roadside workers.

The Cone Zone = Slow Down campaign, run by the Work Zone Safety Alliance, reminds drivers to slow down and pay attention when driving near work sites and roadside workers.

“Cone Zones” include sites with municipal workers, landscapers, emergency and enforcement workers, telecommunication workers, and tow truck drivers, as well as road construction and maintenance workers, according to the campaign.

Over the last 10 years, WorkSafeBC has received 386 claims from workers who were struck by motor vehicles, often while working in a “cone zone.” Of those claims, which increase in the summer months, 46% were classified as serious injuries and 3% resulted in the death of a worker.

“Even with safety measures in place, injuries and near misses experienced by roadside workers in B.C. are still a reality,” the campaign’s site notes. “On a daily basis, roadside workers continue to encounter preoccupied and hostile drivers who are speeding and swerving.”

The campaign includes media advertising in local community newspapers, radio advertising and transit advertising.

The Work Zone Safety Alliance partners include the BCAA, the BCAA Road Safety Foundation, B.C. Ambulance Service, B.C. Construction Safety Alliance, B.C. Flagging Association, B.C. Hydro, B.C. Landscape and Nursery Association, B.C. Municipal Safety Association, B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, FortisBC, Insurance Corporation of B.C., Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, RCMP, Telus, The Community Against Preventable Injuries, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, Vancouver Police Department and WorkSafeBC.