Roadway safety feels like the most basic topic because we have been learning about it since we were old enough to pay attention. It is not always easy to stress it enough to adults in the workplace. However, there is a reason the National Safety Council designated a week in the Safety Month for education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a worker died every 99 minutes from a work-related injury in 2023 compared to 96 minutes in 2022. Transportation incidents were the most frequent type of fatal event, accounting for 36.8 percent (1,942) of all occupational fatalities in 2023.
Illinois’ Transportation System includes 9.07 million licensed drivers and a total of 11.11 million vehicle registrations. There are 103.97 billion annual vehicle miles of travel. That creates a tremendous chance of risk for drivers sharing the road. Some of our workforce are professional drivers with training under their belt and tests to pass. There are many regulations to support their role in driving safety. It can be hard to find ways to include the rest of the workforce. Planning to acknowledge observances is a start.
The IMEC team is buzzing up and down the highways and byways of Illinois every day. No matter how well you plan and how versed you are on the weather forecast, there are times that emergencies arise on the road. Being stuck on the interstate for hours or being diverted through a detour can create chaos. Recently a tornado tore through Williamson County and destroyed homes. We were caught on Interstate 57. After exiting, several of the auxiliary roads were also blocked. Our first responders did a great job with help from agencies in neighboring counties. It makes you proud to see the communities come together to support each other. It is hard in the moment to get updated information on open roads or existing hazards. Same with recent flooding and ice storms this year. Discuss with your team the best local resources for information. In your training planning, consider:
- If communication systems are up, is there an opportunity to share information with your team and community through social media or pushing out a text?
- Is your team versed on travel apps such as Waze or Google Maps?
- Do your local law enforcement or other emergency management agencies share updates during emergencies?
- Who is the most timely and accurate media resource in your area?
- Take a moment to work through knowing what employees are out traveling on the job. Do you have a system to check on them during an emergency?
Resources are provided below for some quick talking points or a deep dive into improving your policies.
Review your company’s workplace travel and look for ways to continuously improve and refresh.
- Senior Management Commitment & Employee Involvement
- Written Policies and Procedures
- Driver Agreements
- Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Checks
- Crash Reporting and Investigation
- Vehicle Selection, Maintenance and Inspection
- Disciplinary Action System
- Reward/Incentive Program
- Driver Training/Communication
- Regulatory Compliance
These steps are from the NETS Traffic Safety Primer: A Guidebook for Employer
Employee Quick Training
Safe Driving Practices for Employees
Motor Vehicle Safety for Drivers
Calculator
Guide to Calculating Injury Costs 2023 – Injury Facts
Regulations
Motor Vehicle Safety – Motor Vehicle Safety | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Trucking Industry – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
