Representatives from Columbia Gas and Kentucky Power recently had the opportunity to present to the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation. The utilities shared detailed information about roadside work zone protection and the risk of vehicle intrusions and dangers to utility workers in roadside work zones.
Representative John Blanton (R-Salyersville), Chairman of the House Transportation committee, recognizes the need for increased safety for roadside workers and had even introduced a highway safety bill during the 2023 session (House Bill 201). Blanton is a retired Kentucky State Police officer and represents Knott, Magoffin and part of Pike County.
“Workers deserve to be safe,” Blanton told the utility reps. “It’s important that we determine ways to provide a safer work environment for our utility workers in work zones.”
Phillip Tolliver, distribution systems manager in Ashland, represented Kentucky Power at the meeting. Tolliver began his opening remarks mentioning that, in driving to Frankfort from Ashland, he traveled through five separate work zones.
“There are a lot of workers out there who are depending on drivers to pay attention, to slow down so they can do their jobs and get home at the end of the day,” Tolliver said. “We need to create a heightened awareness for drivers in these zones."
Tolliver’s presentation included several dangerous mistakes drivers commonly make that increase the risk for work zone safety, including distracted driving (cell phone usage, talking to other passengers, etc.), speeding, and driving fatigued or impaired.
“Because we can’t control the actions of drivers, we can’t fully eliminate the risk to utility workers in work zones,” he stated. “Kentucky Power has experienced many near misses in traffic control zones throughout the years. With more than 10,000 miles of power lines to maintain, work zone safety is always a concern for our crews.”
Information on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s website reports that last year, there were 1,074 crashes in construction zone, 271 injuries and six fatalities in Kentucky with two of those being workers.
Increased penalties and fines, additional enforcement tools and an awareness campaign are a few suggestions the utility companies had for the committee for safety improvements.