OSHA and DOT Speak Out on Texting and Driving

Many or all of your workers drive to work every day, and some may be required by their jobs to spend part or all of their workday driving. Any of them could be at risk of being injured or killed in a distracted driving accident.


"Distracted driving has become an epidemic in the United States, and its often fatal consequences are a threat to your workers, your business, and the public," according to OSHA.


One of the biggest problems is texting and driving. In fact, texting while driving has become such a prominent hazard that 30 states now ban text messaging while driving.


Some employers have also taken action to prohibit texting while driving. For those who haven't, OSHA has this warning: "Companies are in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act if, by policy or practice, they require texting while driving, or create incentives that encourage or condone it, or they structure work so that texting is a practical necessity for workers to carry out their job."


What Is Distracted Driving?


DOT defines distracted driving as "any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing."


DOT identifies three main types of distraction:

• Visual—taking your eyes off the road
• Manual—taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive—taking your mind off what you're doing

While any distraction can endanger drivers' safety, texting is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction.


Other distracting activities include:

• Using a cell phone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a PDA or navigation system
• Watching a video
• Changing the radio station, CD, or Mp3 player.

What Should You Do?


"Send a clear message to workers and supervisors that your company neither requires nor condones texting while driving," says OSHA.

• Prohibit texting while driving. OSHA encourages employers to declare their vehicles "text-free zones" and to emphasize that commitment to their workers, customers, and communities.
• Establish work procedures and rules that do not make it necessary for workers to text while driving in order to carry out their duties.
• Set up clear procedures, times, and places for drivers' safe use of texting and other technologies for communicating with managers, customers, and others.
• Incorporate safe communications practices into worker orientation and training.
• Eliminate financial and other incentive systems that encourage workers to text while driving.

---Safety Daily Advisor – BLR.com