UWG News Item
Contact: University Communications & Marketing
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
ucm@westga.edu
 

Safety at construction sites on campus

October 20, 2003

CARROLLTON, GA - The safety of UWG students and construction workers may become a concern if precautionary items surrounding construction sites continue to disappear.

According to Theresa Jablecki-Kriel, assistant director of Risk Management at UWG, barricades with flashing lights and safety cones have been removed from various construction sites around campus which poses a threat for serious injury or even death.

“Students also need to have a heightened awareness of the construction traffic flag workers,” Jablecki-Kriel noted. “Last month, the flag person who is a UWG student was nearly run over by another student who failed to obey the traffic directions.”

The construction project includes reconfiguring electrical distribution on the west side of campus; replacing aging unit substations; placing overhead distribution lines underground; providing for maximum system capacity; and preparing for future campus expansions.

According to a study conducted in 2000, adding the TLC building maximized the campus electrical capacity and an increased demand for reliability because of computers and instructional technology exists throughout campus. Expansion is required prior to adding the Health, Wellness & Lifelong Learning Center.

“This project is a long one and will not be completed until March of 2004,” Jablecki-Kriel said. “The construction crews will be working in the streets for another three months and everyone driving on campus should remain aware of their presence.”

The October 15 issue of Safety Currents Express published statistics concerning the most dangerous industry — construction. Total fatalities in construction were 1,121 in 2002, equaling about 20 percent of all fatalities.

Tom Mackel, director of Public Safety, also reminds campus travelers that there is a 25 mile an hour speed limit.

“Criminal charges can be brought against anyone removing barricades and cones from these sites,” Mackel pointed out. “They are for the safety of the construction workers as well as those individuals walking or driving near the sites.”

-30-

Use your browser's BACK button to return to the previous page.
Or find more news & info at the Communications & Marketing site.