When Traci Jeeves would send out a more inexperienced traffic control person to a job, she would always rest easy knowing they were with Belle Bourroughs.
Jeeves is owner of Okanagan Traffic Control Professionals out of Armstrong and Bourroughs had worked for her for 10 years.
A flag person for 37 years, Bourroughs was struck by a vehicle on Nov. 17 B次元官网网址� her 66th birthday B次元官网网址� while doing traffic control on Highway 6 in Lavington. She died as a result of her injuries on Dec. 6.
B次元官网网址淪he was top notch,B次元官网网址� says Jeeves.
BourroughsB次元官网网址� death is being felt by all those she worked with and is highlighting the dangers of the job.
According to WorkSafeBC statistics, between 2007 and 2016 in B.C., 15 roadside workers were killed by a vehicle while working on or beside the road. Of 244 people hit, 161 were in the construction trades and 124 of those, 77 per cent, were flag persons.
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Rob Hein, manager of roads and parks with the City of Salmon Arm, says the city uses Okanagan Traffic Control regularly.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e pretty sad about itB次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 unfortunate B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 an unnecessary accident. ItB次元官网网址檚 a really dangerous career, unfortunately. The number of people doing that job that get hit is really astounding.B次元官网网址�
The company also works regularly in Vernon and Spallumcheen.
Jeeves is devastated by BurroughsB次元官网网址� death, who she considered a friend.
Because of the fatality, JeevesB次元官网网址� business is being investigated by WorkSafe BC. She has handed over about 700 documents so far.
B次元官网网址淭he safety of all roadside workers is an ongoing concern and priority for WorkSafe BCB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� writes the agency in an email. B次元官网网址淯ltimately, however, the employer is obligated by law to ensure worker safety.B次元官网网址�
Jeeves emphasizes sheB次元官网网址檚 a strict employer who adheres to all rules, regulations and documentation required. She says she has gone over in her head how she could have done things better, but hasnB次元官网网址檛 come up with anything that could have saved her employeeB次元官网网址檚 life.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 nothing I can see looking back, how I could have made things safer for Isabelle and, with her experience, nothing I would have done any differently.B次元官网网址�
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Jeeves would like to see more driver awareness of the job flag people must do as well as more respect for them.
B次元官网网址淲e actually catch the brunt of everyoneB次元官网网址檚 anger. I can tell you, on a regular basis, at each and every worksiteB次元官网网址�, if you havenB次元官网网址檛 been flipped the bird by 4 p.m., youB次元官网网址檙e still going to get it. ThereB次元官网网址檚 always someone that gives us hell.B次元官网网址�
Since Bourroughs was hit, flaggers Jeeves knows have been talking about whether the job is really worth it.
B次元官网网址淚t breaks my heart to think flag people are not being treated properly. We are already low man on the ladder, we donB次元官网网址檛 get paid enough, we know what weB次元官网网址檙e doing, and weB次元官网网址檙e first in line for abuse.
B次元官网网址淭here needs to be flagger awareness. We need more respect.B次元官网网址�
A celebration of the life of Belle Bourroughs, who leaves behind her spouse, five children and three grandchildren, will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the Enderby Royal Canadian Legion #98, 909 Belvedere St., Enderby.
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