Your Trusted Source for Public Works Safety

Every safe shift strengthens a community. PWSafetyCenter exists to empower public works professionals with the training, knowledge, and best practices needed to reduce accidents, prevent injuries, and create safer worksites across every town and city.

From PPE and work-zone traffic control to confined space operations and equipment best practices, this site provides the essential safety knowledge crews and supervisors rely on every day. We have an ever-increasing JSA Library which you are free to use to help build your job safety analysis binder.

Public works crew in safety gear

Recent Safety Articles

Equipment & Vehicle Safety
The Critical Importance of Dump Body-Up Alarms in Public Works Operations
The Critical Importance of Dump Body-Up Alarms in Public Works Operations
*The above image was taken at the Queensbury Highway Department in upstate New York. The driver had just finished washing out the dump body on the truck and was returning it to the garage. This truck was manufactured with a dump body-up light, but no audible alarm. It may look as if they merely need…continue
Environmental & Stormwater Safety
Can You Get Sick from Removing a Beaver Dam?
Can You Get Sick from Removing a Beaver Dam?
Beaver dam removal is a common task for public works crews, particularly in areas where flooding, culvert blockages, or roadway washouts are concerns. While most safety discussions focus on physical hazards such as sudden water release or unstable footing, there is a lesser-known risk that deserves …continue
Safety Culture
Why Small Municipalities Should Consider External Safety Expertise
Why Small Municipalities Should Consider External Safety Expertise
In many small municipalities, the role of safety officer is often assigned rather than developed. It may fall to a supervisor, a senior operator, or a dedicated employee who simply has an interest in safety. In the best cases, that individual may bring experience from a volunteer fire department or …continue
Safety Culture
The Key Responsibilities of a Municipal Safety Officer
The Key Responsibilities of a Municipal Safety Officer
A municipal safety officer plays a critical role in protecting public works employees, reducing organizational risk, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. In an environment where crews are exposed to traffic, heavy equipment, confined spaces, and unpredictable field conditions, the safety…continue