The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) issued an update to its guidance for the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) on Tuesday.

The newly published information provides three additions to the Frequently Asked Questions for MASH.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to the nation’s governors today asking that the Association’s members be considered “essential critical infrastructure workers”  in their respective jurisdictions under the guidelines issued March 19 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“On behalf of the 1,500 members of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), I urge you to deem road construction workers and the manufacturers of roadway safety devices and construction machinery as essential industries and workers in your state,” Tetschner wrote. “ATSSA members manufacture, distribute and install lifesaving roadway safety infrastructure devices such as traffic signs and signals, pavement markings, guardrail and cable barrier, crash cushions and work zone safety devices, among many others.

In response to the global pandemic, ATSSA’s Training Department is accelerating release of one of its new online courses.

The Training Department had been slated to launch a new segment of online training addressing  human resources and workplace safety issues later this spring but out of heightened concerns for the health and safety of members amid COVID-19, Vice President of Member Services Donna Clark authorized early release of one course. The pandemic-related course is offered for free to members through April.

ATSSA member Ver-Mac has suspended its auction of a portable message sign in light of the coronavirus pandemic currently facing the nation and world.

The auction had been scheduled to run through March 27 with proceeds benefitting the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner released a statement to members today reinforcing the Association’s support for members and informing them of its current telework process for staff.

“We know you are dealing with unprecedented challenges as our nation feels the enormous impact of COVID-19. We want you to know that our team is continuing to work full-time to deliver the support you need, even as we work remotely in recognition of national and state guidelines geared at stopping the spread of this potentially deadly virus,” Tetschner wrote.