Missouri State Highway Patrol Work Zone Safety Missouri State Highway Patrol

Introduction Workers in construction, utilities, or public works jobs on both highways or city streets are at risk of fatal or serious debilitating injuries due to: Congested areas with exposure to high traffic volumes and speeds Work is routinely near both moving construction vehicles and passing motor vehicle traffic Inclement weather

Sleepy or impaired drivers Impatient, reckless drivers Workers in the roadway are at risk of injury from a variety of general traffic hazards: Drunk drivers Sleepy or impaired drivers Impatient, reckless drivers Drivers using cell phones; other inattentive drivers

Do These Risks Sound Familiar?

Safe Driving The Privilege of Driving ‘Probability’ refers to the likelihood of something happening – “It won’t happen to me.” ‘Possibility’ refers to the capability of taking place – “It could happen to me.”

The Chances… In 2015, nine people were killed in work zone crashes Between 2010 and 2015, 4,130 people were injured in Missouri work zones Since 2000, 16 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty.

Top Contributing Circumstances Of Work Zone Traffic Crashes In Missouri: Inattention Emotional Distraction Cell Phones Eating Talking Attending to other occupants (ex. Small children) Reading

Close Calls…

Contributing Circumstances (Following Too Close)

Contributing Circumstances (continued) Speeding – Exceeding the legal limit Speed is a factor in one-third of all fatal crashes. Crash Severity increases Effectiveness of safe devices decreases

Speeding (continued) Drivers who travel at higher speeds have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them. It takes them longer to stop.

Inattention & Speed

Contributing Circumstances (continued) Speed too fast for conditions Snow Ice Rain Fog Curves Gravel Roads

Too Fast For Conditions

Worker Fatalities in the U.S. 844 WORKER DEATHS occurred in roadway work zones from 1995-2002 (over 100/year avg.) 91% of these were related to motor vehicle traffic or construction equipment, or both Dump trucks were responsible for 41% of the “worker on foot” related deaths (52% of these involved dump trucks backing up)

Victim (under sheet) who was backed over by the Dump Truck

Blind Spots or Areas Example: this mapping diagram shows the blind areas around a Ford F-800 dump truck. 8 ft. in front and 16 ft. in rear are the most hazardous areas. The driver side door area is the only zone within 8 feet of the dump truck that is safely visible.

How Can I Improve My Odds? High-visibility Apparel: All workers should wear high visibility apparel The use of colors such as yellow-green for the worker apparel may help to differentiate the worker from the orange colored work vehicles, signs, drums, etc.

Can you see the worker clearly?

Improving The Odds… Stay behind protective barriers where possible Do not linger or cross into areas around moving equipment if you have no reason to be there Use extra precautions and additional safety apparel at night and during poor weather conditions

Improving The Odds… Communicate with an operator (verbally and/or by eye contact) before entering any area near heavy equipment or large trucks. Be alert for construction vehicles and equipment as well as general traffic Check surroundings often for hazards

Improving The Odds… Know the plan for traffic flow Keep a safe distance from traffic Communicate with other workers, especially when there are changes in procedures, locations, or traffic flow pattern

Sgt. Scott White Public Information and Education Officer Troop F, Jefferson City Missouri State Highway Patrol (573) 751-1000 (office) scott.white@mshp.dps.mo.gov @MSHPTrooperF (Twitter)