If staff members do any driving while on the job or are passengers in work vehicles, your organization’s OHS program needs to specifically address road safety.
BC employers have legal responsibilities for employees who drive full time, part time, or occasionally. Many trips count as driving for work: travel between job sites, making sales calls or visiting clients, picking up supplies or making deliveries, etc.
Driving is the leading cause of traumatic workplace deaths in BC. Over the last 5 years, crashes killed an average of 18 people and injured 1,631 annually.
Road Safety at Work suggests 5 things you can do this year to help keep employees safe.
- Know and meet employer responsibilities
Did you know that any vehicle used for work in BC is deemed a workplace – even if it’s owned by an employee? Review some of the road safety best practices that can help your organization meet its employer responsibilities.
- Check driver licences, provide vehicle orientation
Start every year by asking employees who drive as part of their job for a copy of their current licence and abstract. Make sure they’re trained how to safely use the vehicles they’ll drive for work. Use these tips to check driving records and conduct driver orientations.
- Identify hazards, reduce risks
Use our RiskCheck online tool to help assess driving-related hazards relevant to your organization. It guides you step by step through the risk assessment and helps you create an action plan.
- Address critical crash factors
Distracted driving, impaired driving (including fatigue), and speeding are among the leading contributors to crashes. Do you have work procedures to help prevent them? Use our policy and procedures templates.
- Take action every month
Road safety is as important as every other part of your health and safety program. It requires training and regular reminders about safe driving practices. Subscribe to our free Road Safety Planner for monthly activities that can help prevent crashes.
For more information and free resources, visit RoadSafetyAtWork.ca
