Roadworks Signs Meant To Protect Workers

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 11

Roadworks Signs Meant To Protect Workers

One of the three purposes of roadworks signs—protecting those engaged on the job —was often insufficiently considered, Mr J. H. Macky, director of reading in the Ministry of Works, said yesterday. Signs, as part of road safety, were well known and recognised. Their second purpose, protection of the work, was fairly familiar but less accepted, being primarily the concern of the ministry or reading authority. > However, roadworks warning and temporary signs were also for the sake of those employed on such jobs. The workers had the same right to protection as others engaged in construction or industry. They frequently worked in a hazardous environment, with the motor-vehicle a dangerous and fast piece of machinery that must be guarded against. Warning signs were erected for the safety of these men and the standards set in the use of such indicators, careful placing, a clear message, accurate information and prompt removal when no longer necessary, were factors in their effectiveness. Proper Placing It was up to those engaged on roading to see these protective signs were well placed and up to motorists to heed them. Failure to do so could result in serious or even fatal injury to road workers, who were extremely vulnerable. Mr Macky appealed to employees and contractors to ensure that the job on which they were engaged was protected, that restrictions were not only reasonable but appeared so, and that signs were placed to give ample warning, and their requirements imposed for the absolute minimum period. Instructions for erection and removal should be adequate and a sense of service by the motorists appreciated. Motorists and other road users should in turn recognise that roadworks construction and maintenance were for them, their safety, convenience,and comfort, and

that disruptions, when essential, were kept to a minimum. In particular they should keep foremost in their minds that road workers were exposed to danger—which might come from drivers—and that co-operation removed the need for enforcement.