Traffic Safety Cones, Traffic Control Products

Visibility is Key to Work Zone Safety for Highway Construction

Following article excerpt is taken from CDC website, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/highwayworkzones/BAD/default.html .  Page was last updated on October 15, 2008 and last reviewed on May 11, 2009.

“Studies show that highway and street construction workers are at a significant risk of fatal and serious nonfatal injuries while working in and around a street/highway construction jobsite.  In addition to the risk of injury from passing motor vehicle traffic outside the work zone, there is an equally hazardous risk of injury from movement of construction vehicles and equipment within the work zone.  In analyzing the data collected on fatalities and serious nonfatal injuries occurring from 1992-1998, researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have concluded that "safety efforts must also protect construction workers within work zones who are working on foot around moving vehicles and equipment..." [Pratt et al., 2001].   Collision occurrences have been attributed in part to limited visibility around the equipment. “