Safety First!
Work zone dangers are faced daily by construction crews and those working around our nation’s roadways, as well as by motorists. JMT and our employees would like to stress the importance of demonstrating safe driving habits in and around work zones.
Safety is JMT’s #1 core value, as we strive for the safest outcomes on all our projects. Safety does not occur by chance. It is the result of careful attention to all company operations by those who are directly and indirectly involved. We continue to stress how employees at all levels must work diligently to implement JMT’s policy of maintaining safety and occupational health.
The establishment of National Work Zone Awareness Week is an outstanding way to remind motorists of work zone safety. “We have employees out in work zones every day,” stated David Malkowski, JMT’s Corporate Safety Coordinator. “This is another great reminder to not become complacent, as JMT’s goal is to have zero accidents so that all employees go home safe each and every day.”
In Maryland, Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed April 2013 to be Work Zone Safety Awareness Month. All of our Maryland employees, as well as our employees companywide, support initiatives that educate drivers and encourage safe driving behavior.
At JMT, we continue to implement our Safety Plan so our employees work in a safe and appropriate manner to prevent injuries, but there are often variables that are out of their control. In the United States alone, more than 700 people die each year in work zones, and four out of five people killed in work zones are motorists – not highway workers. The major contributing factors in work zone crashes include not paying attention, going too fast for the conditions, failure to yield the right-of-way and following too closely.
Tips for Motorists:
These simple tips (courtesy of www.roads.maryland.gov) could save your life – or another’s – in a work zone:
- Think Orange! When you see orange signs, cones and barrels, expect a roadside work zone ahead.
- Stay alert! Look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.
- Pay attention. Work zone signs will tell you exactly what to expect ahead.
- Merge early. If drivers merge as soon as they see the signs, traffic will flow more smoothly.
- Slow down. You may encounter slowed or stopped traffic in an instant.
- Don’t follow too closely. Maintain a safe distance on all sides of your vehicle.
- Minimize distractions. In many states, there are laws that ban hand-held cell phones and texting.
- Plan ahead. Expect delays and allow extra travel time. Select an alternate route if you are running late. Learn about current and planned lane closures ahead of time using traffic and transportation related websites.
Together, we can prevent injuries and calamities. Please do your part!
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