Cone Zone campaign urges Terrace drivers to slow down around roadside workers

The BC Cone Zone campaign is reminding Terrace and area drivers to slow down when approaching workers in a ‘cone zone’. The campaign is aimed at drivers, employers and workers to do their part to prevent injuries and deaths of roadside workers in the Kitimat-Stikine region.

In 2020 there were 23 roadside workers injured in B.C. Between 2011 and 2020, 12 roadside workers were killed and 207 injured across the province a media release from Road Safety At Work, stated.

“One of the greatest risks to a roadside worker is a motor vehicle being driven through their workplace. Dangerous driving behaviour like speeding and distracted driving puts these workers at risk of injury and death,” said Louise Yako, program director of Road Safety At Work, in a media release.

The risks to roadside workers are more prevalent in the summer months as roadside work increases at this time of year and traffic levels typically rise.

In addition, under the “Slow Down, Move Over” law, drivers should be prepared to reduce speed and if safe to do so, move over to an open lane when approaching a vehicle with flashing amber, red, or blue lights (tow, fire, police, ambulance).

‘Cone Zones’ are work areas set up by roadside workers to protect themselves and the driving public. Road-maintenance crews, tow truck operators, first responders, municipal workers, traffic control persons, construction crews, and other roadside workers all depend on drivers to respect the Cone Zone to keep their workplaces safe.

“The Cone Zone campaign is a joint provincial initiative supported by the Work Zone Safety Alliance of organizations committed to improving the safety of roadside workers. Until the number of fatalities and injuries is zero, we will continue to take action to protect roadside workers. We ask all drivers, and roadside employers and workers to do the same,” Yako said.

“Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their workers and contractors along BC’s roads and highways, including:

• Ensuring their workers understand the hazards related to working at the roadside.

• Providing their workers with training, equipment, supervision and resources to help keep them safe.

Roadside workers can work safely by:

• Knowing how to identify hazards and assess risks.

• Following safe work procedures, including work zone set-up and take-down.

• Wearing appropriate high-visibility clothing and other PPE.

• Reporting unsafe work conditions to their supervisor,” the media release stated.