Roadside work zones pose extreme risk for the laborers who build and maintain our highways, roads, bridges, tunnels and utilities. That’s why highway maintenance jobs are among the most dangerous in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2003 to 2021 they claimed the lives of 123 laborers each year on average, most of whom were struck by moving vehicles.
Many road crew accidents and fatalities can be avoided without sacrificing productivity by establishing safe work zones and training workers in safety best practices when working in roadside construction zones. The high-level basics are outlined below.
