In 2019, Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz created a new Division of Safety. Since then, KDOT has seen a steady reduction in costs resulting from decreased injury-related incidents. Numbers from Fiscal Year 2022, which concluded on June 30, show more than $968,000 in total savings across three years.
“These savings show that our work to improve on-the-job safety is benefiting both workers and taxpayers,” Kelly said. “By prioritizing the wellbeing of our highway workers and emergency responders, we haven’t just reduced injury costs — we’ve also decreased the number of work hours lost and the severity of injuries themselves. These workers do so much for us — we must do everything we can to protect them.”
In 2006, while serving as a state senator, Kelly supported and advanced passage of Senate Bill 411, which became the Kansas Move Over Law. The law requires drivers to move over for an emergency response vehicle on four-lane roads and highways.
KDOT work-related injury costs, including workman’s comp, have also seen steady improvement since the Division of Safety was formed.
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“A safe work environment helps build employees’ trust in their work unit and organization,” KDOT Director of Safety Troy Whitworth said. “It’s important for our workers, because at the end of the day, they just want to go home safely to their families and friends.”
New policies the Division of Safety has implemented include tailgate safety briefings, in which field crews briefly gather at the beginning of a task to create situational awareness and identify possible hazards throughout the project. New safety procedures for department employees also include pre-meeting safety messages, in-house safety videos, and bi-weekly email reminders.
Added emphasis is placed on safety training for new employees. Data shows employees with less than five years of experience are more likely to be involved in incidents involving injury.
Whitworth said KDOT’s work-related injury numbers are trending consistently downward in the midst of uniquely challenging times, including a pandemic and crews which are often short-handed. Of particular note, the reduction in accidents was accomplished while KDOT increased construction lettings by 300 percent.
