Road Worker Safety: Understanding the Psychology Behind Workplace Abuse

Recent findings from the Crane Report revealed something deeply concerning: road workers rank alarmingly high in relative suicide risk data. While we initially struggled to explain this pattern, subsequent research has unveiled troubling insights into the nature of threats these professionals face daily.

Verbal abuse toward road workers is common—much like aggression directed at retail or hospitality staff. However, one behavior stood out: workers reported having cups of urine thrown at them while on duty.

This specific act provided a crucial analytical breakthrough. The practice, known as "potting" within the prison system, is typically used by inmates to assault correctional officers. This connection suggests two fundamentally different threat profiles:

The Logistical Threat: A commission-based salesperson running late for a vital meeting may become verbally aggressive, their behavior driven by desperation and circumstantial pressure.

The Psychological Threat: An individual with incarceration history may perceive road workers as authority figures associated with confinement. Stopped in traffic, they may experience triggers reminiscent of imprisonment, responding with learned behaviors from that environment. This is a specific (violent) threat roadworkers may not have been trained to manage or deescalate.

Understanding these distinct threat patterns is essential for protecting vulnerable workers by recognising the difference between situational frustration and deeper psychological reactions.

Road workers deserve to perform essential infrastructure maintenance without fear of assault. By better understanding these threats, we can develop more effective protective measures.

We're seeking input for the Crane Report to develop customised mitigation policies. If you have insights or experience in this area, please reach out; your contribution could help protect these essential workers.

Anthony Hegarty MSc