New signs have been unveiled in Abbotsford featuring near-life-sized photos of local construction workers and their families to encourage drivers to reduce their speeds in construction zones.
The signs, which were put up Sept. 26 near the High Street development project, are part of the province-wide Slow Down project, aimed at improving safety for roadside workers.
The project is a partnership of WorkSafeBC, Graham Construction and the B.C. Construction Safety Alliance.
WorkSafeBC director Al Johnson said drivers need to realize how dangerous it is for workers at the roadside such as construction workers, traffic control people, public works staff and emergency services personnel.
“Over the past decade, workers across the province have filed nearly 400 claims after being hit by vehicles, typically while labouring at the side of the road. Their injuries are often serious, life-altering events.
“Several workers have died. All of these incidents could have been prevented,” he said.
The signs will be posted in the work zone until October 2013, when the construction project is expected to be completed. One will be located on Mt. Lehman Road, and two others will be on Cardinal Avenue.
The Slow Down initiative began in July 2007 and has been a fixture at a number of job sites across the province.
