WorldWide Drilling Resource

58 SEPTEMBER 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Safety Spotlight: Work Zone Safety by Scott Cosby April 15-19, 2013 was National Work Zone Awareness Week, and observed at the state DOT (Department of Transportation) where I work. The theme was “Work Zone Safety: We're All In This Together”. Work zone aware- ness should be a concern every day when working in these situations! There are times our drill crews, other state DOTs, and consultant drilling firms may have to conduct operations within or very near roads, highways, or interstates. The topic for this month’s article is Work Zone Safety - examining this special week and tips to keep every drill oper- ator and crew member safe within work zones. Work ZoneAwareness Week events were held across the nation to educate about work zone safety and remember the public and workers who lost their lives in these types of collisions. Here are some facts from this year’s Work Zone Awareness Week: There have been a total of 56 Oklahoma DOT work- ers killed in the line of duty. In 2012, 16 people were killed and 838 injured in 1431 motor vehicle colli- sions in work zones statewide, the great- est amount of injuries and third highest number of work zone collisions since the last decade. Some general tips for those within and outside work zones include: c Stay alert! Dedicate full attention to the roadway. This also includes those in the work zone. Keep alert to the situation around the drill crew! c Avoid distractions! Avoid using mobile phones or doing other things while driving in a work zone. c Adhere to signs and work zone flaggers! c Turn on headlights! Workers and other motorists must see you. c Note and maintain the posted speed limits in and around a work zone area! c Don’t change lanes in a work zone! c Expect the unexpected! Keep an eye out for workers and their drill equipment! c Plan ahead! Expect delays and leave early so you can reach your destination on time. c Be patient! Work zones aren’t there to inconvenience you; crews are working to improve road usage. You can search online for more information on work zone awareness. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration can provide good infor- mation on this topic as well. Scott Scott Cosby may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com +0 .5 .&((&*$ -1&,)"*0 ' 3 ** 0.""0 (5,% *0 ##& " ("/ 7 " %*& ( 1,,+.0 7 4 7 ) &( .+0 .5!.&((&*$"-1&,)"*0 $) &( +) 10%+.&6"! *!2&' &/0.& 10+. ".2&*$ 0%" .+1*!3 0". *!1/0.5 -32* &; = 3'.0* 1&.0 /('.768440< <&-33 (31 &00 86 35 9.6.7 86 &7 .57 .,,*5 2*: &2) 86*) '. 76 1&7 5 .; &2) 67**0 '3)< 7 0 & 6 3 4 ( 3 :35/39*5 7337- &2) '87732 '.76 *&5 0&: 855.(&2* &2) -314 1. 0 06 +35 (*1*27 1*7&0 &2) (31436.7* 408,6 5&, '.76 &2) /*00< '.76 !$" ! % # ! ! # Thanks for all your help - you guys are terrific! Best Regards, Denette Boyd Eastern Driller Mfg. Co., Inc. Columbia, PA