On Nov. 9, 2010, members of the Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc. joined OSHA and various other government and private entities and municipalities to provide awareness to those working in work zones and the general public of proper work zone safety procedures. After final numbers were calculated, it was determined that in the 2,890 work zones and 20,900 workers who participated in the OSHA Struck By Alliance Work Zone Safety Stand Down, that GUCA represented more than 38 companies on 1,612 job sites and more than 11,829 employees.
Recognizing the fact that many fatalities on the roadways are construction workers, the OSHA Struck By Alliance in collaboration with other associations, dedicated Nov. 9, 2010, as its Work Zone Safety Stand Down Day.
Each GUCA member company and others were asked to participate. Each company was asked to stop work at construction sites in Georgia (especially those working on Georgia’s highways) and conduct work zone safety training, particularly focusing on the awareness of struck by accidents as well as having safety signs, vests and equipment in place.
GUCA has been a member of OSHA’s Struck By Alliance for several years, first focusing on educating the public of dangers in the work zone. GUCA applied for a grant from the National Utility Contractors Association to help fund the placement of billboards throughout Georgia to help educate the public on the dangers of texting while driving, but most importantly, while going through construction work zones.
“We reiterated necessary safety precautions and had our crew’s double check their safety equipment and set-up on the job site. This helped validate and reinforce our company’s safety efforts,” said GUCA Past-President Judy Turpin, Turpin Inc.
GUCA Board member Bryan Ponder, Brock Built, LLC said, “We had all our field employees attend the OSHA Struck By Alliance Work Zone Safety Stand Down meeting in the field of ongoing large projects on Nov. 9, 2010, that consists of road-way utility installation. During the meeting the numbers spoke for themselves in the amount of tragedies fatal or non-fatal from struck-by incidences. Every employee expressed a greater awareness and alertness of the serious nature of performing road way work either by being directly or indirectly involved. This day brought reality to the field in showing the mistakes we all make and overlook when working or driving through a work zone. Our company is now more cautious, alert, and safer when working in a work zone thanks to the Georgia Struck By Alliance.”
GUCA provides temporary traffic control for onsite supervisors, helping certify Georgia’s workforce in setting up a safe work zone job site while keeping traffic flowing.
GUCA members participating in the Stand Down included R.B. Baker Construction Inc.; Benton-Georgia Inc.; Brock Built LLC; E.F.S. Inc.; C.A. Murren & Sons Company Inc.; John H. Pruett Construction Co. Inc.; and, Turpin Inc. Others included: Brooks, Berry, Haynie; City of Winder; Charter Communications; Georgia Power Company; Mulkey Enterprises; Rabun County Road Department; Reeves Construction Company; and Turner Construction.
The Georgia Struck By Alliance consists of OSHA, the Georgia Utility Contractors Association, the Georgia Branch of the Associated General Contractors of America, 3M Visibility & Insulations Solutions, Georgia Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Georgia Division, Georgia Highway Contractors Association, Association County Commissioners, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Lamar Signs, Pike Energy Solutions and Georgia Power.
After the Stand Down, liaisons from all of the above mentioned groups participating in the Struck By Alliance met to discuss future goals for the Safety Stand Down Day. Sponsorship is hoped to increase next year as is worker participation. Members of the OSHA Struck By Alliance also are looking at possible incentives to gain participation in the coming years.
There will be another Stand Down scheduled for the fall of 2011. The goal is to keep all workers safe on the roadways and all construction job sites. It also is to raise awareness to the public to keep all workers safe by taking proper precautions while driving through work zones.
For more information, visit www.guca.com.
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