Motor-vehicles incidents are a leading cause of worker fatalities in British Columbia. To bring attention to this critically important workplace safety issue, Road Safety at Work is launching the first annual Road Safety at Work Week, March 2 to 6.
"Road Safety at Work Week is a great opportunity for employers to promote safe and smart driving practices and improve road safety awareness so that dangerous driving situations can be avoided," said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, Shirley Bond.
Distracted driving — specifically the use of mobile phones while driving — is a contributing factor in many motor vehicle incidents and is the focus this year's Road Safety at Work Week.
Employers are responsible for the safety of their employees, even when they are behind the wheel. Road Safety at Work Week is an opportunity for employers, managers and workers to improve road safety awareness and adopt safe occupational driving practices.
On average, 23 workers per year are killed in B.C. and another 1,290 are injured due to motor vehicle crashes while driving for work. Of the 269 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 in B.C., distraction was a contributing factor in 77 (29 per cent). It is estimated that texting while driving increases crash risk by up to 23 times, said Road Safety at Work.
Allowing phone use or other distractions while driving creates a serious hazard and could result in property damage, injuries or deaths.
Road Safety at Work Week is an initiative of WorkSafeBC, the Justice Institute of BC, and a team of road safety and occupational health and safety professionals from around B.C. representing various industries.
"Road Safety at Work Week is a great opportunity for employers to promote safe and smart driving practices and improve road safety awareness so that dangerous driving situations can be avoided," said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, Shirley Bond.
Distracted driving — specifically the use of mobile phones while driving — is a contributing factor in many motor vehicle incidents and is the focus this year's Road Safety at Work Week.
Employers are responsible for the safety of their employees, even when they are behind the wheel. Road Safety at Work Week is an opportunity for employers, managers and workers to improve road safety awareness and adopt safe occupational driving practices.
On average, 23 workers per year are killed in B.C. and another 1,290 are injured due to motor vehicle crashes while driving for work. Of the 269 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 in B.C., distraction was a contributing factor in 77 (29 per cent). It is estimated that texting while driving increases crash risk by up to 23 times, said Road Safety at Work.
Allowing phone use or other distractions while driving creates a serious hazard and could result in property damage, injuries or deaths.
Road Safety at Work Week is an initiative of WorkSafeBC, the Justice Institute of BC, and a team of road safety and occupational health and safety professionals from around B.C. representing various industries.
