Flag person’s death results in changes to construction zones

WEYBURN, Sask. – It’s been three years since an 18-year-old was run over and killed on her first full-day on the job as a construction flag person.

Since Ashley Richards’ death, the industry has changed the way Saskatchewan’s highway construction zones are set up in an attempt to keep workers safe.

Reg Willick owns HJR Asphalt, the company that Richards was working for when she died in August 2012.

READ MORE: Trial wraps up for man accused of running over and killing flag person

“It’s been a huge shockwave, right from day one, for our staff. They’re still out on the road. They’re still scared,” he said.

At the time of Richards’ death, drivers only had to slow to 60 kilometers per hour when passing workers.

“The 60 km/h sign is now a regulatory sign, so as soon as you see that sign, whether or not you’re passing workers you must slow to 60 km/h,” said Andrea Bachman, HJR’s human resources representative.

The orange construction signs are also more visible now.

“We started putting signs on both sides of the highway when we’re working on two lane roads,” she said.

However, if you ignore the signs and continue to speed, you’re more likely to be caught.

“We’ve included more enforcement, there’s radar signs indicating if you’re speeding and you will be triple fined,” Bachman added.

HJR Asphalt has also decided to ramp up its employee training and is now actively showing employees how to avoid collisions.

“If they see something that doesn’t look right, if they see a car that isn’t going to stop, we’re teaching them where to run, teaching them to get out of the way,” said Wilkins.

He added that no matter how many changes the construction industry makes, the onus is still on drivers to be in control of their vehicles.

“All we can do is try and protect ourselves, our workers. Drivers have to have the responsibility of being able to stop. That’s all we ask.”

The fines for speeding through a construction zone start at $300 and go as high as $800.