Adopt a Highway Volunteer Safety Tips

How to participate safely in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures Adopt a Highway program. The Adopt a Highway program offers both non-profit and for-profit organizations opportunities to contribute to their community and province.
This program is aimed at promoting community pride and a means of publicly recognizing the organizations efforts.
Specifically the opportunity is for organizations to adopt a section of provincial highway to help carry out or sponsor such activities as landscape beautification litter pickup weeding and invasive plant spotting and reporting.
Hand-pulling of non-toxic plants is optional. Full script: Congratulations youve adopted a section of British Columbia highway.
Thanks for joining the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures Adopt a Highway program.
This program is a great way for you to strengthen community ties while beautifying our environment. Wondering what a day in the life of an Adopt a Highway volunteer looks like? Well lets walk through a clean-up.
When you arrive at your section of highway be sure to find a safe spot to pull over.
Its a good idea to put on your safety gear ahead of time so youre easily visible as soon as you step out of the vehicle.
This includes proper closed toe supportive footwear and a ministry safety vest.
If the weather is warm and sunny we also recommend wearing a hat and applying some sunscreen.
Review your surroundings before setting up work zone signs at the start and end points of your area.
Your safety supervisor or first aid person will do a roll call review the safety rules and point out clean-up boundaries.
When its time to get down to work be aware of traffic at all times.
A good method is to make sure you face traffic -- that way you have a chance to react if needed.
Also have younger volunteers work further back from the road with adult volunteers out in front.
And be aware of your behaviour at all times.
This means no roughhousing.
If an injury occurs on the worksite promptly report to your safety supervisor or first aid person.
Our main target is roadside trash but the Adopt a Highway program also hones in on invasive plants -- both toxic and non-toxic.
You may have already received training on how to identify invasive plants.
If not ask your supervisor about how you can learn more.
Never try and remove toxic invasive plants or any garbage around them.
If you come across any please report to 1-888-WEEDSBC. Please avoid lifting heavy objects and dangerous items.
Mark these items with a garbage bag.
Your work zone does not include highway medians but can include both sides of the highway.
Its extremely important you do not cross the highway to continue work on the opposite side.
After the first side is all cleaned up drive to the opposite side by following the appropriate highway exit and entrance.
As the site clean-up comes to a close the supervisor completes a final role call.
Take a look around admire your work.
Its amazing how much can be accomplished with many hands.
But keep in mind: litter collection is not your first priority -- staying safe is.
From the B.C.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure thank you for keeping our highways beautiful.