With safety stepped up since two fatal accidents last year at the Interstate Interchange Project, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is now honoring safety inspectors on an annual basis. Sara Siver was awarded the first monthly Safety Inspector Award at the project office on July 17 for her safety work on Phase IV. Although the safety of the workers and motorists going through the highway project every day is a sign of her success, Siver was elated when her name was announced.
"I think it makes a difference, it [her efforts] seems a little bit more appreciated," she said.
Siver has been involved with Phase IV for over one year. That phase, which is the most extensive of the whole highway project, deals with a mix of steel beams and high-altitude work. The toughest part of her job was "all the safety with the rigging," Siver said.
Danny Costello, VDOT safety officer for the Springfield Interchange Project, was on hand to recognize Siver, along with chief engineer on the project, Larry Cloyed.
"We're issuing a monthly safety award for the employee who shows concern and awareness for safety issues. Our goal is zero accidents," Costello said.
The dangers associated with the project include trenches, heights, heavy machinery and traffic. The two deaths are unfortunate, which Costello realizes is a fact of life on a project this size.
"I think one [death] is too many. Unfortunately, construction is a dangerous job," he said.
The monthly award was open to one engineer from Phases IV and V as well as one from the office on Commerce Street. Engineers included VDOT employees as well as consultants from Dewberry Engineering and Bechtel Engineering Services. The runners-up were Tammy McClure from the office and Dave Rothschild from Phase V.
Along with having her name on a plaque, the donated prizes included movie tickets from the Springfield Mall, coffee mugs, a mouse pad, T-shirt, a Swiss Army knife and an embroidered denim shirt. Steve Titunik at the Interchange Information Office in Springfield Mall contributed some of the prizes. He emphasizes safety on the project. Besides the pain and suffering related with accidents, Titunik noted a secondary business facet accidents cause.
"It makes good business sense. Anytime you have an accident, it hampers your objective," he said.
Last year, after one of the deaths at the project, work was shut down for a week while safety was examined.
"We're trying to reward the good stuff they've done," said Costello.
This summer, all eyes are on the final beams joining the two parts of the overpass from I-495 to I-95.
"She's the lead inspector on that bridge," Costello said of Siver.