National Work Zone Awareness Week 2013

Mar 27, 2013

National Work Zone Awareness Week 2013

This April 15-19 is National Work Zone Awareness Week, or NWZAW. This is held every year to raise national awareness for motorists about the importance road worker safety and mobility in work zones. The event has been coordinated and sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Traffic Safety Services Asociation (ATSSA) since 1999, and many other transportation related organizations have joined the effort in recent years. While this is a nationally based event, state and local authorities have also been known to hold their own awareness events.

This year, the main focus of NWZAW will be to highlight work zone complications and complexities, and the dire need for group planning which incorporates all those who are involved with or affected by work zones. This includes DOT officials, road workers, inspectors, cyclists, motorists, public transportation workers, pedestrians, law enforcement, emergency response and utility workers to name a few.

During 2003-2007, 639 workers were killed in the US while performing road construction work, with 50% of those were the direct result of being struck by mortorists or heavy equipment. In 2011, transportation incidents accounted for more than 2 out of 5 fatal work injuries, with 57% of those being roadway accidents involving motor vehicles. And while the number of motorists increases each year, it's a growing problem and awareness is critical.

If your business or occupation involves the risks of roadway safety, we encourage you to help raise awareness of NWZAW with your employees or co-workers because every little bit can help to save lives. Learn more HERE.

HiVis Supply carries a wide array of high visibility safety vests, clothing and apparel. We sell to consumers as well as in bulk and have an enormous selection from the top name brands you trust. Visit us today at www.HiVisSupply.com where you can browse and buy at discount prices.

"Roadway Work Zone Safety: We're All in This Together."

Feb 26, 2013

National Work Zone Awareness Week isn't scheduled until the middle of April, but it's a big deal when it comes to the safety of roadside highway workers. There are many aspects to keeping construction and highway workers safe, and awareness by drivers, commercial and commuter, is a big factor. In fact, keeping these employees aware of the necessity to wear their hi-visibility safety gear including hi-viz safety vests and other apparel will save lives and deter accidents. Even accidents like accidental backing over by trucks in the work area and accidental pinning between trucks and traliers.

There are many materials available for the upcoming National Work Zone Awareness Week, and organizers announced it now has a theme for the event as well as promotional materials available upon request.

This year's theme for the annual event is "Roadway Work Zone Safety: We're All in This Together." That theme was chosen specifically to show that safety in roadway work zones depends on everyone who uses those roads, including motorists, emergency responders, law enforcement, bicyclists, and pedestrians in addition to roadway workers. In order to keep everyone safe in these areas, all users must work together in practicing safe behaviors.

National Work Zone Safety Week was first held in 1999 as a partnership between the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Federal Highway Administration, and the American Traffic and Safety Services Association. The event now boasts participation from several organizations and state transportation departments across the country. The goal is to bring awareness to the dangers of roadway work zones and educate the public on how to keep themselves and others safe in those zones.

Posters for this year's event are now available through the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse or by contacting ATSSA's Kim Coghill at Kim.Coghill AT atssa.com. It can also be accessed here.

The event is scheduled for the week of April 15-19, with a kick off ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, April 16.

ML Kishigo 1513/1514 Black Series Heavy Duty ANSI Class 2 Safety Vest

High visibility safety vest in ML Kishigo's Black series couples styling with maximum visibility and safety. The black accent panels increase your level of contrast, style, and the cleanliness of the vest, keeping you looking cool, staying protected, and the vest looking bright and clean.

Made with hi-vis Ultra-Cool 100% polyester mesh background fabric, on top of which are 2-inch wide silver reflective stripes and 3-inch wide contrasting color, to make you stand out in any kind of lighting conditions you might find yourself in. The reflective trimming around the arms and down the sides also increase your visibility drastically.

The vest features mic tabs on chest, 2-tier pencil pocket, radio/utility chest pocket, inside patch pockets, outside cargo pockets with adjustable flaps, and reinforced webbing for extra strength. Available in Lime or Orange; ANSI Class 2 compliant.

Maximum visibility with sporty style

Black Series includes black accent panels for increased contrast, style, and vest cleanliness

Hi-vis Ultra-Cool 100% polyester mesh background material

2-inch wide silver reflective tape on top of 3-inch wide contrasting color

Reflective trimming around arms and down sides for increased low-light visibility

Zipper front closure

Mic tabs on chest, 2-tier pencil pocket, radio/utility chest pocket, inside patch pockets, outside cargo pockets, reinforced webbing for extra strength

Available in Lime or Orange

ANSI Class 2 compliant

A ROADWAY SAFETY+ NWZAW Update + HiVis Pants!

By HiVis Supply
Jan 9, 2013

National Work Zone Awareness Week Begins

Nov 14, 2012

Here's a great article by Accuform Signs' Ashley Price, Merchandising Manager and blogger at Notable Regulations.

Imagine showing up to work every day and being faced with the constant danger of speeding, distracted motorists whizzing by only mere feet from you while also being surrounded by a bustle of heavy equipment, materials and machinery. This is “the office” for workers building and improving our American roadways.

This week (April 23-27) is the 13^th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week. Started in 1999, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in coordination with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), sponsor the week-long event that strives to spread awareness of the myriad of dangers in highway work zones. Many states are also now hosting their own Work Zone Awareness events.

This year’s national kick-off event will be hosted by the Missouri Department of Transportation on Route 141 where a relocation project is underway near St. Louis to upgrade the three-lane road to a six-lane freeway. Missouri was chosen because of their level of commitment to work zone awareness. The theme chosen for this year’s awareness week is “Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones! Drive Smart to Arrive Alive”.

Work Zone Fatalities Charts Source: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse and US DOT Federal Highway Administration

Work Zone Fatalities Charts Source: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse and US DOT Federal Highway Administration

In 2010, there were 576 work zone fatalities that resulted from 514 fatal motor vehicle crashes, with 80% being the vehicle operators and passengers and 20% workers, pedestrians and cyclists. On the up-side, those numbers are down and have been decreasing steadily over the years. Work zone fatalities are actually decreasing at a faster rate than overall highway fatalities - proof of the national and state-level commitment to safer roads and programs like the National Work Zone Awareness Week. Let's give our support to continuing to reduce fatalities and injuries on our nation's roadways. Consider participating in awareness week at your place of business and even in your home.

So, as you drive through any of the thousands of work zones across our country today, remember to slow down - for you, for your family, for workers, for the families who could lose a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend. As we here at Accuform Signs say, "Safety is a Family Value".
For more information about the National Work Zone Awareness Week and for more resources visit:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

Work Zone Fatalities Charts Source: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse and US DOT Federal Highway Administration

Class 2 T-Shirt with Flat
Stitch Panels

This ANSI Class 2 t-shirt, from ML Kishigo, takes comfort and
contrast to a new level. The flat-stitched contrast panels improve daytime
visibility and significantly improves comfort and coolness over standard
layered contrasting panels. The shirt is constructed from microfiber polyester
material that wicks away moisture - keeping you dry and cool. The shirts also
feature 2" silver reflective material and left chest pocket. Available in both
high visibility Lime and Orange. Sizes M-5XL. ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 compliant.

HiVisSupply is proud to offer high visibility apparel for a variety of job duties
like roadside construction, manufacturing, plant assembly, mining, surveying,
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facility maintenance, utilities department, sewer maintenance, electrical line
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others. HiVis Supply offers great savings and product selection for helping you
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National Work Zone Awareness Week 2013