Pedestrian Safety in a Construction Zone- Important for a Successful Project

Although the importance of construction workers is very important in the industry, we can't forget about the safety of pedestrians and bystanders. Many construction sites happen to be located in high public areas. Pedestrian safety is just as important as the safety of the construction workers. Everything from heavy machinery, falling objects to uneven surfaces can put pedestrians in danger.

Quick Facts:
-From 1987 through 1990, 17% of all work zone fatalities were pedestrians.
-Over the last decade more than 1200 pedestrians and bicyclists died in work zones.
-Over 10,000 pedestrians and bicyclists were injured in work zone crashes during that same period.
-Non-motorist fatalities (workers, pedestrians, bicyclists) in work zone crashes increased more than 60 percent in the last 5 years.

"The need to accommodate pedestrians in work zones can be identified by observing existing pedestrian usage and accommodations prior to the start of work (US Dept. of Transportation)." The Department of Transportation website states that "providing safe, convenient passage to all pedestrians must be addressed in the planning, design, and operation of work zones." Construction crew must make sure that the construction zone is clearly marked. It is important that entrances to work construction zone sites display signs that indicate that the area after the entrance is a hard hat area, requiring the use of a safety construction hat at all times. Informing the public with signs will hopefully bring awareness, thus; leading to a safer work site. It's also important for construction workers to keep all construction work within the marked perimeters. Crane work for a construction site must also follow the same rules. Cranes should not move any material that is not within the perimeters. This will avoid any falling debris to land in pedestrian areas. If the traffic of pedestrians will be hindered, the construction crew must make sure there are temporary pedestrian sidewalks and facilities.

Although some of the responsibility lies in the construction crew, pedestrians must also bear some of it as well. It is important for pedestrians to be attentive and obey the signs around construction sites. Advanced information on construction sites can allow pedestrians to make timely decisions about routes through or around the work zone. It is also important that pedestrians don't linger around construction sites. The quicker the public is out of a construction zone, the less danger they pose themselves to.

Making safety for pedestrians and construction workers a priority will lead to a successful construction project.

Sources:
"Accommodating Pedestrians in Work Zones." FHWA Safety. US Department of Transportation- Federal Highway Administration. Web. 26 Oct. 2009.
"Everyone Is A Pedestrian." FHWA Safety. US Department of Transportation- Federal Highway Administration. Web. 26 Oct. 2009.
"Pedestrian And Public Safety At Construction Sites." Articlesbase. 27 Feb. 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009.