WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will participate in National Work Zone Awareness Week 2007, a campaign that highlights safety awareness for employees in highway work zones. This year's campaign theme, "Signs for Change" reminds drivers to be aware of highway work zones and obey work zone signs.

"Employees who work in highway zones have one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States and these employees need not only OSHA's support, but the support of everyone who gets behind the wheel on a daily basis," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "There were nearly 1,100 work zone fatalities in 2005 -- that is a tragedy. I am hopeful that campaigns like this will help reduce those numbers."

OSHA has a variety of resources that focus on health and safety for construction employees and others working in highway work zones. For example, OSHA's Directorate of Construction has a page on the OSHA Web site dedicated to Highway Work Zones and Signs, Signals, and Barricades. OSHA's safety and health topics page entitled "Motor Vehicle Safety" focuses on the broader issue of safety on the highways.

Through the OSHA and Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners alliance, the organizations are promoting awareness of highway work zone safety and health issues and related compliance assistance resources that are available for employers and employees.

This year's campaign will run from April 1-7, with the kickoff event being held April 3 at the Route 1 interchange on Interstate 495 approaching the western side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Alexandria, Va.