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"Slow down - our daddy works here" say children of municipal workers
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Richmond, B.C., July 10, 2008— Today, WorkSafeBC, the Township of Langley, and the City of Pitt Meadows unveil signs that encourage drivers to slow down near public work areas so that workers are protected from potential injury. In the past, workers have been seriously injured or killed as a result of being struck by motorists: earlier this year, a worker was tragically killed while working on the road. The unveiling at the Township of Langley's Operations Centre also celebrates the “Slow Down” campaign's first year anniversary.
The first of almost 20 signs to begin the campaign's second year will be unveiled by Tyler, Trevor, and Brooke – children of Paul Schenderling, Asset Management Technician with the Township of Langley. Ten families from the Township of Langley and the City of Pitt Meadows are featured on large vehicle decals and upright signs.
The City of Pitt Meadows and the Township of Langley join a growing list of “Slow Down” campaign partners which include Metro Vancouver as well as companies from the Construction Safety Network and the Construction Safety Association of British Columbia.
Initially launched last July, the “Slow Down” campaign features actual workers and their families and has been featured on prominent road building and construction projects such as: Canada Line, Sea-to-Sky Highway, Prince George's Simon Fraser Bridge, Richmond's River Rock Hotel, and Kelowna's William R. Bennett Bridge.
“Our public and private partners in the Slow Down campaign have made it work,” said Chris Hartmann, WorkSafeBC’s Regional Director of Prevention for the Fraser Valley. “We are proud to support their proactive approach to safety.”
The Township of Langley’s Safety Committee partnered with WorkSafeBC to develop “Slow Down” signs that remind drivers that every worker deserves to go home to their families at the end of the day.
“People are our most precious resource, and we want to do all we can to ensure their safety and well-being,” said Township of Langley Mayor Kurt Alberts. “By helping to educate motorists about road safety in Township work zones, we are encouraging better driving habits and everyone stays safe.”
Intending to produce similar signs for their workers, the City of Pitt Meadows approached WorkSafeBC after learning that the successful “Slow Down” campaign was seeking partners for its first year anniversary launch.
“We all have families,” says Randy Evans, Operations Superintendent for the City of Pitt Meadows. “The traveling motorist can quickly and effectively relate to those on the signs, reinforcing what is at stake.”
WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves nearly 2.3 million workers and about 197,000 employers. WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.'s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. The organization is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.
The Township of Langley is a place where the rich heritage of the past is combined with a vibrant vision for the future. A community of communities, the Township is made up of several distinct neighbourhoods which unite to create a unique blend of country and urban atmospheres. Built on the history of the province’s fur trade, the Township of Langley was incorporated in 1873. Boasting one of the largest retail centres in the Lower Mainland and featuring dozens of parks and green spaces, the Township is home to 100,000 residents, and is committed to providing sustainable, affordable housing, services, and facilities. The Township of Langley values its history and is committed to preserving its heritage, while accommodating the needs of an exciting, growing community.
The City of Pitt Meadows has a unique blend of urban-appeal and rural-charm. First incorporated in 1914, it is currently home to 16,500 residents. The City's well-planned and compact urban highland is surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, parks, rivers and North America's largest tidal lake - all of which present spectacular opportunity for all manner of outdoor enthusiasts and for families. This complete community has entered a stage of rapid development. In addition to the growing Pitt Meadows Airport, it is home to Canadian Pacific Railway’s Vancouver Intermodal Facility; one of the region’s key transportation gateways. In 2006, construction on the Golden Ears Crossing connecting Pitt Meadows with Langley and Surrey and a new Pitt River Bridge, part of the province’s Asia-Pacific Gateway project began and both are scheduled for completion in 2009.
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For more information, contact: |
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| Gladys Johnsen |
Erin McKay Media Relations Coordinator Township of Langley 604-533-6122 |
Lorna Jones Human Resources/ Communications Officer City of Pitt Meadows 604 465-2448 |