Balfour Beatty Designates Live Traffic as Fifth Fatal Risk in Construction Safety Initiative

This Construction Safety Week 2025, Balfour Beatty has launched a new safety initiative that identifies live traffic as a fifth fatal risk in construction—joining OSHA’s long-established Fatal Four: falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between hazards.

The initiative reflects Balfour Beatty’s growing concern over the dangers posed by live traffic in and around work zones, following internal safety reviews and broader industry data analysis. Unlike static jobsite hazards, live traffic introduces unpredictable external risks that require targeted strategies and increased public awareness.

Federal data highlights the severity of this issue. The Federal Highway Administration reports about 105,000 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in roughly 42,000 injuries. In 2024 alone, nearly 900 people were killed in work zone-related incidents, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 94 and 143 construction workers lose their lives annually due to vehicle incidents in work zones.

“Construction workers in roadway work zones face life-threatening dangers every day from the driving public,” said Richard Ryan, Balfour Beatty US SVP of Safety & Sustainability. “By recognizing live traffic as a fatal risk, we’re making a clear commitment to prevent these incidents and protect workers and the public.”

Key Elements of the Initiative

Balfour Beatty is implementing several measures across its operations to address live traffic risks:

• Digital Driver Alerts: Highway projects are now equipped with Safety Cloud® by HAAS Alert, which sends real-time alerts to approaching drivers through navigation apps and connected vehicles.
• High-Visibility Equipment: Crews are deploying advanced strobe lighting systems on machinery and personal gear to improve visibility in low-light and adverse weather conditions.
• Policy Advocacy: The company is collaborating with the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) and local legislators to promote work zone safety education in driver training and testing programs.
• Customized Safety Protocols: Teams are developing specific safety strategies based on different types of traffic—such as vehicles near highways, pedestrians around building sites, and trains at rail projects.

This effort aligns with Balfour Beatty’s ongoing support of Construction Safety Week and the 2025 theme, “All in Together,” which underscores shared responsibility for safety across the industry and public.

“Our recognition of live traffic as a major construction hazard is part of our Zero Harm commitment,” said Eric Stenman, president and CEO of Balfour Beatty US. “Families expect their loved ones to return home safely each day. By addressing traffic risks with the same seriousness as other leading causes of fatalities, we are reinforcing that commitment—and calling on the public to do their part by slowing down and staying alert in work zones.”