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National Work Zone Awareness Week

National Work Zone Awareness Week

The Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) honors National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), running April 9 through 13 with special events, educational opportunities and community outreach efforts. This year’s theme, Work Zone Safety Is Everybody’s Responsibility, underscores the valuable role that everyone - workers, drivers, passengers and community members - play in promoting and exercising safe practices when in and around work zones.

“As the road commission prepares for the upcoming construction season, we want to raise awareness about the vulnerability our employees face when working in the roadway and steps that can be taken to improve safety for both motorists and our crews, alike. Our goal is to ensure that everyone returns home safely at the end of the day,” said Steve Warren, Managing Director of the Kent County Road Commission.

The week’s special activities include:

Tuesday, April 10

8:00 a.m.: At the regularly scheduled board meeting, KCRC commissioners will vote on a resolution to demonstrate their support of the annual NWZAW campaign to raise awareness about work zone safety and KCRC’s own efforts to champion safe practices of its employees.

9:00 a.m.: KCRC commissioners and administrative employees will wear orange and highvisibility clothing in support of coworkers who brave the challenges of working alongside the traveling public. At 9 a.m., the group will gather for photo in support of their coworkers to be displayed at each of the road commission’s four complexes.

Wednesday, April 11

The winners of the Second Annual Work Zone Safety Poster Contest will be announced. Sponsored by KCRC and the City of Kentwood, the poster contest invites third-grade students from across the county to design a “caution sign” focusing on one of the following safety tips for driving through a work zone:

  • Avoid distractions. Dedicate your full attention to driving. Avoid using a phone or changing the radio station.
  • Pay attention to directions. Follow directions from workzone flaggers and pay attention to warnings posted on work zone signs.
  • Keep an eye out. Watch for construction workers and their equipment. Also, stay alert to the vehicles around you.

Over 100 entries were submitted and all will be displayed at the APWA Family Open House event on May 16 at Kentwood Public Works. The artwork is also used throughout the year on social media and at public engagements to promote safe driving practices.

Social Media posts

Throughout the week, KCRC will focus its social media outreach on posts related to work zone safety. Employees will provide testimonials about what it is like
to work near oncoming traffic; warning signs designed by third graders for the Work Zone Safety Poster Contest will be posted; and tips on how to improve one’s own safe driving practices will be shared.