10 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS
SLOW DOWN, STAY SAFE IN CONSTRUCTION ZONES
Colin Corneau photo
F all is a crucial time for the heavy construction industry to complete projects as the construction season comes to an end. With crews working extended hours to get the job done, motorists and commuters may get further frustrated with delays and detours. With that, comes the chance angry or impatient drivers will put our workers at risk. Construction workers work long hours day in and day out to fix our roads, or repair water and wastewater pipes. And they deserve the same respect everyone should receive at their workplace. The numerous road projects this year have triggered an increase in “disrespectful and often downright dangerous behaviour” from drivers toward road-work crews, according to a City of Winnipeg news release in August. The behaviour was noticed by the companies whose employees are on-site, trying to do their jobs and get home safely at the end of the day. “There’s been a noticeable increase in aggressive driving — very aggressive — and abusive behaviour towards construction workers, and people accelerating, spitting,” says Chris Lorenc, President & CEO of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. Drivers have been seen ignoring barricades, driving through active construction zones and distracted on their phone, says Lorenc, who also chairs the SAFE Roads Committee. Drivers need to recognize that they’re travelling through someone’s workplace. “Imagine if you were at the office by the photocopy machine and all of a sudden a 2,000-pound vehicle whizzes by you. It would cause you some alarm.” Rene Grenier, foreman for Crown Pipeline Ltd., says his crew works on main roads and witnesses distracted drivers every day. “We discuss distracted drivers and road rage in our hazard assessments every morning because every day we run into the same thing: drivers angry that we are there working, doing our jobs,” Grenier says. “We wouldn’t go into their work place and treat them with disrespect, and we expect the same.” Trevor Shwaluk is a Safety Advisor for MHCA’S WORKSAFELY® program and is the lead instructor for WORKSAFELY®’s flagger certification. Over the years, he has heard of numerous accounts of dangerous and distracted driving in road construction zones. He says motorists need to take steps to ensure no one gets hurt, inadvertently, while driving in work zones, including: • Slow down, watch for workers and drive with caution • Put your phone down, observe speed limits and abide by road signs; they are there for a reason • Keep a safe distance between yourself and the driver ahead of you; be ready to stop suddenly • Listen to traffic reports and give yourself extra time to get to your destination • And always respect road workers “By doing your part and driving cautiously through our construction sites, our workers can safely do their part and repair our roads,” says Shwaluk. “The construction season is really quite short, and workers need to utilize the time they have to get the job done.” “We simply ask that motorists slow down, take care and obey the directions,” adds Lorenc. “Our crews are hard at work and, at the end of a long day, they want to get home safe and whole, just like everyone else.” The SAFE Roads Committee will be addressing this issue at their coming meeting this fall. Stay alert and focused driving through construction zones this season, and always abide by road signs.
Jessie Smith is MHCA WORKSAFELY Education Programs Coordinator
Building Relationships Through Infrastructure
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