At the June Board meeting, staff from the Texas Municipal League made a presentation to the Board of Directors.
The District staff has been working very hard the last 2 years in completing all the necessary items, to achieve the State’s Road Ready Assessment rating. TML staff mentioned that the District was only the 24th in the state, from there over 2,800 other members, that have been able to achieve 100% completion. District staff have been monitored, tested and put through their paces, to make sure that we were doing things safely…making sure they were doing what was needed, to keep both the public and the employees safe at different times. TML started this program 5 years ago and as they mentioned at the meeting, there have been a lot of fatality accidents around the state and this program was started, to raise awareness and help teach proper methods and safety guidelines. This includes inspections at work / dig sites, traffic control, general safety awareness around the facilities and a few other facets of the program. The District staff & Board, were presented an award and plaque from TML.
ROAD Ready:
R= recognizing the hazards
O= observing the conditions around you
A= assessing who/what is affected with the activity taking place
D= determining the safest/best course of action
From the Manager: Safety is one of the top priorities for the crews. I want to make certain that my field crews are doing what is needed, to make sure they all go home at the end of the day. We have some very busy roads in Tahitian Village, a few that we all call race tracks, so taking an extra step in the safety of everyone, is what’s important. I fully understand that sometimes it is an inconvenience to have to wait for a single lane, or be slowed down a bit because it’s narrow, or that a tractor is digging across a road…it is an inconvenience and a hassle. My crews get yelled at, cussed at and all sorts of stuff, because someone had to wait a minute. But at the end of the day, safety is what matters! We will do what it takes to make sure everyone makes it home to their families. We have an amazing crew here at BCWCID2 and everyone does their best at taking care of each other and that’s what it is about!
With all this, I am asking the public, next time you see our crews working on a road, as you pass, tell them thank you! Yell it as you pass if you have too…let them know that they are appreciated for working hard to keep everyone, including you, SAFE! It takes a team to make things happen and we have an amazing one here for sure!! On the flip side, if anyone ever sees anything that’s unsafe, please let us know. We can’t make it better unless we know.
Have a great day and thank you for your time.
-Paul Hightower, General Manager