Slow Down in the Cone Zone, Work Zone Safety Alliance BC

Working in and around traffic is dangerous.

When your employees work at the roadside, you need a plan to help keep them safe.

This is someone’s workplace. Slow down and give them plenty of room.

People who work on or at the side of the road have a dangerous and sometimes fatal job. They all deserve to go home safe at the end of their shift. The Cone Zone campaign, supported by the Work Zone Safety Alliance, aims to reduce the risk for roadside workers and people who drive through work zones.

Roadside workers are in vulnerable positions with traffic passing within metres of their workplace. Every shift they risk being struck by vehicles. WorkSafeBC statistics from 2014 to 2023 show:

worker deaths

251

workers injured and off work

Your role in roadside safety

What employers need to know

Employers and supervisors are legally responsible for the safety of their employees in roadside work zones. Use our resources to help understand and meet your responsibilities.

What roadside workers need to know

Every roadside work zone is unique. You need to understand the hazards you face and how to reduce your risk. Learn safe work practices that help protect you and your co-workers.

What drivers approaching work zones need to do

Your driving affects the safety of you, your passengers, and roadside workers. Always slow down and pay attention in roadside work zones. Learn safe driving tips and the law you need to follow.

Featured tools and resources

Tool Kit

Work Zone Planning

Every work zone is unique, which means you need to have a specific safety and traffic management plan for each one. Use this tool kit to help you identify hazards, assess risk, and control traffic.

Work zone safety (Cone Zone)

Guide

Safety at the Roadside: What Workers Need to Know

Roadside workers need to be aware of hazards in their work zones. Review this guide’s tips and checklist to understand the different types of hazards and reduce your risk.

Work zone safety (Cone Zone)

Guide

Roadside Work Preparation Guide

Use this guide to make your plan for a roadside work zone. It includes tips for preparing your crew, a list of possible hazards, and a form you can fill out to help assess the hazards and reduce the risks.

Work zone safety (Cone Zone)

Video

How Roadside Workers Want You to Drive in a Work Zone

Imagine if you worked beside a busy highway or road. That’s what roadside workers do every day. Learn what they’re counting on you to do when driving through their work zone.

Duration: 2 minutes 39 seconds

Work zone safety (Cone Zone)

Test your Cone Zone knowledge

Driving in a Work Zone Quiz: Roadside work happens year-round in BC, not just in spring and summer. Take our 5-question quiz to test your knowledge about how to drive safely in roadside work zones.

Roadside Worker Safety Quiz: Do you work full time, part time, or just occasionally at the roadside? If so, you need to know about hazards and safe work procedures. Take our 5-question quiz to test your knowledge.

Plan ahead. Use alternate routes to avoid work zones.

Check DriveBC before you leave to avoid delays.

Check your route

Work Zone Safety Alliance

The Alliance is a partnership between public and private organizations committed to improving the safety of roadside workers in BC.

Alliance members work together to help improve driving behaviours and workplace safety practices in and around roadside work zones. Learn more.