Not way back, I used to be stopped at a purple mild, in a college zone, watching youngsters cross the highway. The crossing guards have been very diligent of their whistle blowing, strolling to the center of the intersection to make sure these youngsters crossed the highway fastidiously, signing them throughout and specializing in the encircling site visitors. I imagined these identical youngsters 10-15 years later working in one in every of our work zones. There can be no flashing lights on signage, autos is not going to almost come to a screeching halt, and drivers is not going to be reverent and respectful of human life inside toes, generally inches, of their autos.
The place are their crossing guards? At what age does human life grow to be much less useful? We innately acknowledge the necessity to shield youngsters, and we must be reminded that the employees in our work zones are the grownup variations of these youngsters: somebody’s partner or associate, some household’s supplier, and a few mother and pa’s baby. Individuals in work zones want proverbial crossing guards. Who’s actively making positive they’re protected to allow them to go residence to their households’ each night time? They want advocates. They want us.
The Significance of Work Zone Security
The significance of safeguarding our staff and people passing by way of our work zones can’t be overstated. Across the nation, measures are slowly being taken to extend security. Altering driver conduct is necessary and with the expertise accessible at this time, this may be executed. That man or lady you move in the workzone was as soon as that little boy or woman strolling to high school with lights, officers, and other people in place to alert the driving public and to guard them.
Let’s hold defending them. The dedication to workzone security transcends regulatory compliance—it embodies our dedication to valuing human life and making certain that each employee returns residence safely. The U.S. Division of Transportation’s Fatality Evaluation Reporting System (FARS) reported of their work zones in 2022: 96,000 work zones crashes, 37,000 work zone accidents, and 891 whole work zone fatalities. Whereas 2022 noticed a discount from an all-time excessive of 956 whole fatalities the prior 12 months, these numbers are greater than information – they’re lives and a name to motion.
The SWIFTT Problem: A Ahead-Considering Initiative
Because the President of the Asphalt Contractors Affiliation of Florida (ACAF), I’m deeply invested in advocating for workzone security measures. I’m proud to characterize the state of Florida and appreciative of the work being executed by the Florida Division of Transportation (FDOT) to guard staff and the touring public. Their “Goal Zero” initiative focuses on lowering the variety of transportation-related critical accidents and deaths throughout Florida to zero.
In response to defending each staff and the touring public, ACAF labored with the FDOT to launch the SWIFTT (Security Workzone Improvements for Immediately and Tomorrow) Problem (www.SWIFTTChallenge.com) in June, 2024 one day earlier than the Asphalt Contractors Affiliation of Florida’s annual conference. This FDOT developed concept was established as a contest for firms to current their work zone security merchandise and improvements to a gaggle of trade and FDOT judges. The best ranked presentation was given the prospect for his or her concept to be developed with FDOT.
The decision for shows produced many submittals which have been vetted and pared right down to a short-list. The short-list of distributors supplied product shows and mentioned cutting-edge expertise and sensible options. Distributors appreciated the alternative to share their security expertise with the Division and with trade. Some distributors felt their expertise and merchandise might work effectively collectively and on account of the Problem, at the moment are working collectively to capitalize on synergies between merchandise to develop much more sturdy product choices.
The SWIFTT Problem represented a major step ahead in sharing expertise developments and sensible options to reinforce work zone security and proved to be a stepping-off level for ideation of future work zone enhancement alternatives between the mixed efforts of the asphalt trade and the FDOT with the perpetual purpose of continued security enchancment within the work zone for staff and the touring public.
A photograph from the SWIFTT occasion. The FDOT secretary is on the podium with the members previously (besides Dan Hurtado, FDOT, second from left).ACAF
A Shared Duty and a Path Ahead
As I converse to my friends across the nation, there are a lot of variations of labor zone security which might be transcending. Many firms have applied security necessities which might be making a distinction (notice lower in whole fatalities nationwide talked about beforehand). Embracing and implementing the newest technological developments corresponding to sensible site visitors administration techniques proceed to cut back the chance of accidents. Growing public consciousness and selling change in driver conduct can be enjoying a job in lowering threat.
Some states are taking to coverage adjustments by way of stronger rules and insurance policies that help work zone security, together with automated pace cameras in work zones with staff current. No matter steps states are taken, these affected by work zone accidents are honored and all of us actively contribute to a safer setting for these working in and touring by way of the work zone. As we proceed to try for better enchancment in security in work zones, let’s transfer ahead with the identical dedication that protects our youngsters, and apply it to safeguarding our staff, making certain that each individual in a piece zone is valued, protected, and secure.
