Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
Drivers are reminded to take extra care and precaution as winter approaches.
According to WorkSafeBC, the number of workers who experienced a lost-time injury after being struck on the road or roadside is highest during the damp and darker autumn and winter months.
WorkSafeBC statistics conclude that in British Columbia, fifteen workers were killed and another 280 missed time from work for the 10-year period from 2006 – 2015 as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle on a public road during working hours.
Of those workers, 146 were injured during the autumn and winter months as compared to 134 during the summer months.
“Workers who must perform their duties near traffic face the risk of being struck year-round, but especially when drivers may find it more difficult to see them,” said Mark Ordeman, WorkSafeBC Industry and Labour Services Manager.
“We ask all drivers to keep that in their mind and slow down – especially as weather conditions can change quickly and deteriorate – so that all workers can return home safe each night.”
Workers who perform their duties in proximity to traffic include:
- Construction workers
- Transit operators
- Transport truck drivers
- Delivery and courier service drivers
- Letter carriers
- Telecommunications installation and repair workers
- Firefighters
- Public works maintenance equipment operators
WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves 2.3 million workers and more than 225,000 registered employees.
The agency is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.
WorkSafeBC offers information on its website for workers performing duties in and around traffic including a toolkit with resources for employers, supervisors and workers to help keep everyone safe.
For more information, visit: https://www.worksafebc.com