February 2025 Safety Roundup

This blog series serves as a monthly highlight of recent news/updates in the safety industry, including airport, construction, events, and general safety news.

To keep you in the know with recent and current safety highlights, we’ve compiled some of the most pertinent updates and stories here to keep you updated on all things safety.

This month, we’re talking airports and airport construction, with some general safety tips and updates thrown in.

FAA Safety Briefing – Into the Night

The FAA released the first 2025 issue for January and February of their Safety Briefing. Filled to the brim with articles, tips, and recent FAA updates, this issue focuses on night flying and all that is involved.

Page 14 highlights A New Look for Night Lights, an update on the FAA’s plan to migrate all approach lighting systems to LED. Because of their improved efficiency, LED bulbs have increasingly been the choice of bulb in homes, businesses, and, yes, airport lighting (just like our Airport Hazard Light). 

According to the article, the FAA has long been considering switching from the less efficient incandescent bulbs in the High-Intensity Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing Lights (ALSF-2) and the Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR), and the wheels are finally turning to complete the overhaul. Per requirements, this will be done as funding and resources allow, as an entire runway or taxiway must be done at once to avoid any visual perception differences for pilots.

6 Airport Megaprojects Taking Flight in 2025

Thanks to the heightening demand for air travel, airports nationwide are undergoing upgrades and overhauls to keep up. Larger and more modern facilities will be created in the coming years to house the abundance of travelers coming and going. Six airports, in particular, are taking on upgrades that will run at least $1 billion each.  

These airports will be affected by large-scale construction over the next half-decade, but the end results will include new airside and landside terminals, new shopping and lounge areas, new parking garages, upgraded concourses, and the opportunity to serve millions more passengers a year over the next decade. 

The airports undergoing construction from now until (likely) 2029 include John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio ($2 billion), Pittsburgh International Airport in Pittsburgh, PA ($1.57 billion), Tampa International Airport in Tampa, FL ($1.5 billion), Nashville International Airport in Nashville, TN ($1.5 billion), Sacramento International Airport in Sacramento, CA ($1.3 billion), and Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ ($ TBD). 

During airport construction (as with any large-scale site that must remain in operation during work) the safety of passengers and employees alike is paramount. We serve many airports across the US and globally for their safety barricade needs, thanks to the high-quality safety products we offer. Our barricades are the ideal choice to support large-scale projects because of their durability, strength, and portability. We hope to see OTW barricades at these upcoming project sites!

Safety Reminders

Drive safely this winter, especially in work zone traffic!

Snowy or icy roads mean that extra caution is required while traversing them. Stay safe by slowing down, remaining alert, and knowing the signs of upcoming work zones (traffic drums, signage, jersey barricades, etc). 

The unexpected danger of winter heatstroke

Heatstroke might seem like a summer happenstance, but the truth is that it can happen at any time of the year, especially in warehouses, manufacturing plants, or even kitchens.
When an indoor workspace is not properly ventilated and the heating system is working hard, you run the chance of overheated employees. The chance also increases thanks to decreased water consumption during winter months. Sweating is less obvious when it’s cold out, so those who move their bodies constantly while working are less likely to notice that they’re losing more fluid. Stay on top of this risk by encouraging water breaks, moderating the indoor temperature, and ensuring that employees (or yourself) have proper clothing/PPE for working indoors and out. 

OTW News

Safety first starts with us!

We announced last month that we’ve been working on some new PPE for our employees in our warehouses and deliveries, and we’re happy to say that the new options are a hit! Safety starts at home, so we ensure that our employees are provided with proper safety equipment while they manufacture, deliver, or set up/strike your OTW barricades. 

Check out the new PPE on our team while they’re delivering a gorgeous batch of black Billboard Barricades to the UFCU Amphitheater ⬇️

The BDL is here! 

The Bi-Directional Barricade Light is one of our proudest research and development accomplishments of 2024, and we are thrilled to finally be able to get it into your hands. It’s got increased battery life, improved solar panel efficiency, and the brightest LEDs possible.  

OTW customers, check your inbox for an exclusive pre-order offer! 

Winter Safety Sale EXTENDED 

Now through February 28, save 15% on our favorite barricades and safety equipment to prepare for the upcoming construction and event seasons and more! 

Read about our Winter Sale here

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As we focus on aviation and airport construction this month, our hearts remain with the loved ones of those lost in the recent DCA airspace tragedy. Words cannot express the depth of loss, but we continue to hold space for the families affected, the first responders who were on the scene, and all those in the aviation industry as they navigate this devastating event.