How to Participate in National Work Zone Awareness Week 2022

Share the message that “Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down” during the 2022 National Work Zone Awareness Week held April 11-15, 2022.  

Each spring, as the construction season starts up, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) brings state departments of transportation, road safety organizations, drivers, and road workers together to create and maintain safe road work zones. 

What is National Work Zone Awareness Week?

National Work Zone Awareness Week originally began in 1997 as a local campaign held by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to promote awareness of safe road work practices among workers before the warmer months brought an increase in roadside construction work. 

The VDOT hosted the first nationwide NWZAW kick-off event in 2000, and the campaign now brings attention to work zone dangers and encourages safe driving through construction zones across the country. 

Each year the campaign focuses on a different theme and kicks off with a national event hosted by a different state’s Department of Transportation. This year’s theme is “Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down” and the kickoff event will be hosted by National Work Zone Awareness Week’s founders, the VDOT. The campaign will take place April 11-15, 2022. 

Why is National Work Zone Awareness Week Important? 

Work zones are a necessary part of maintaining roadways. However, while road work is both essential and commonplace, it is not without risks. 

According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, there were 115,000 crashes in work zones in the year 2019. These accidents can affect both construction workers to commuters.

National Work Zone Awareness Week raises awareness of the importance of work zone safety, as well as best practices for workers and drivers. 

How To Get Involved 

National Work Zone Awareness Week 2022 features daily nationwide and local events held across the country. 

This year’s nationwide events include a work zone safety training day, social media storm, and a moment of silence. 

NWZAW 2022 will also include the annual Go Orange Day, held this year on April 13. 

On Go Orange Day, individuals and organizations can show their support for work zone safety by wearing orange. Participants are encouraged to share videos and photos of their orange outfits on social media using the hashtags #Orange4Safety and #GoOrangeDay. 

In addition to the nationwide events, local organizations organize and hold events during the campaign. Local events and information on how to host your own NWZAW events can be found on the official NWZAW.org site. 

Practicing Work Zone Safety 

Work zone safety goes beyond National Work Zone Awareness Week and is the responsibility of both drivers and workers. 

For workers, following and enforcing guidelines, staying organized on site, and practicing good communication can protect you, your equipment, and the people around you. 

High-visibility workwear is another integral part of curtailing work zone hazards. Staying seen means staying safe, as it greatly reduces your risk of a workplace incident.

To maximize roadway workers' safety and visibility, Kishigo recommends a high visibility ANSI Class 3 Ensemble. A Class 3 Ensemble is achieved when you combine a Class 2 and Class E garment for increased visibility. 

For drivers, work zone safety comes down to staying attentive, slow, and cautious in areas designated as work zones. 

While it’s always important to practice safe driving, it’s crucial in work zones. 

Though they may seem like small things, slowing down, staying attentive, obeying signs and directions, keeping an eye out for roadway equipment, and keeping a safe distance from workers in work zones can save lives.

For over 50 years, Kishigo’s mission has been to keep workers safe with quality high-visibility workwear. We know that staying seen means staying safe, especially in work zones, which is why we are dedicated to constantly raising the bar for ourselves and the high-visibility garment industry.  

Road work keeps the roads we use every day maintained, and it is all of our responsibilities to keep them safe for workers and drivers. 

Join the events of National Work Zone Awareness Week 2022 from April 11-15th to learn more about work zone best practices and to help raise awareness of the importance of work zone safety.