Federal Agencies Move to Curb Distracted Driving
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of work-related fatalities, and several federal agencies are taking steps to minimize occupationally related distracted driving.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have introduced initiatives that include educational components and allow enforcement actions when there is evidence a company requires employees to send text messages while driving. As of December 1, texting while driving has been banned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
A distraction includes any nondriving activity that has the potential to divert a person from his or her primary task of driving. Texting is among the most hazardous of activities because it involves all three main types of distraction:
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off your task
Using a cell phone delays a driver’s reaction time as much as having a blood-alcohol concentration at the legal limit of 0.08 percent. In 2008, 16 percent of traffic fatalities and 21 percent of injury crashes involved distracted driving.
Agencies’ rules to prohibit texting
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says any violation by a commercial motor vehicle driver is punishable with a fine up to $2,750; employers may be fined up to $11,000.
A Federal Railroad Administration rule barring texting by rail employees will become effective on March 28, 2011.
Rules proposed by the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration would prohibit texting while driving during the operation of a motor vehicle containing hazardous materials requiring placards under 49 CFR part 172 or any quantity of selected agents or toxins listed in 42 CFR part 73.
Hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving decreased significantly in two target cities during the first six months of the DOT’s “Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other” pilot campaign.
For more information on workplace safety issues, call Jason Bandermann, MBA, referral services manager, at 573-331-5825.
Cold Stress Issues Can Appear at Temperatures Above Freezing
Winter weather brings an increased risk of hypothermia and other cold stress issues for outdoor workers. Extreme cold is an obviously dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies, but heat also can leave the body too quickly at modestly cold temperatures.
“Especially when the wind chill factor is in play, it is important for workers to have a place where they can get out of the elements,” says Debby Spurgeon, RN, occupational medicine team member at Saint Francis Medical Center. “The body begins to lose heat faster than it can generate it. Workers unaccustomed to the conditions need to become acclimated, beginning with less workload and exposure time.”
Wearing proper clothing and in the appropriate amounts also plays an important role in preventing heat loss. Hats and protective ear coverings are among the most important items of clothing, since 40 to 50 percent of body heat escapes through the head. Dress in layers and avoid cotton if possible, since it holds moisture and does not allow for perspiration to escape, compromising insulation. Limit the amount of bare-handed tasks in cold temperatures, and consider wearing sports gloves if finger dexterity is important.
“Fluid intake also is important to protect against dehydration,” Spurgeon explains. “Juices or other sweet drinks are recommended. Avoid any drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate, because they can contribute to dehydration.”
Freezing injuries
- Hypothermia – An abnormally low body temperature affects the brain and makes work-related injuries more likely. The victim becomes unable to think clearly or move well and may not even know it is happening. Move the victim into a warm room or shelter and remove any wet clothing. Alert the supervisor and call for medical assistance.
- Frostbite – Freezing temperatures can permanently damage body tissues. Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes unless absolutely necessary, since this increases the damage. Do not rub or massage the affected areas, because that also may cause more damage. Instead, get into a warm room as quickly as possible and immerse the feet in warm water. The skin may become puffy and blistered, and the victim may feel a burning sensation as warming occurs.
Non-freezing injuries
- Trench foot – Also known as immersion foot, this injury results from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. Trench foot can occur at temperatures as high as 60 degrees if the feet are constantly wet, as wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet. To prevent this heat loss, the body constricts blood vessels. This can lead to decreased blood flow, and the skin tissue begins to die from lack of oxygen.
- Chilblains – This injury occurs as a result of damaged small blood vessels in the skin, caused by continuous or repeated exposure of the skin to temperatures just above freezing to as high as 60 degrees. Redness and itching often occur. This damage usually is not permanent.
For more information on cold stress prevention, call Jason Bandermann, MBA, referral services manager, at 573-331-5825.
Employers’ Lockout/Tagout Responsibility Starts With Attention to Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stance on lockout/tagout compliance has more to do with an employer’s attention to training than the actual protective materials and hardware needed to execute the program. The purpose of lockout/tagout is to achieve a zero-energy state during the servicing of equipment to avoid risk of electrocution.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common reasons for injuries while servicing equipment are:
- 80 percent fail to turn off equipment
- In 10 percent of cases, equipment was restarted or activated by someone other than the person performing the maintenance or repair work
- 5 percent failed to control potential energy
- Most of the remaining 5 percent disconnected the power but failed to verify its effectiveness
Employers can ensure their company’s lockout/tagout program meets OSHA compliance standards through a four-step process:
Step 1 – Develop and document your energy-control program and written procedures. The best starting point is to establish a written lockout policy, including an overview of the program, machine-specific procedures, training and periodic inspections.
Step 2 – Identify and mark all energy-control points. This includes marking all valves, switches, breakers and plugs with permanent labels or tags. Cross-reference each tag with the corresponding step number in the energy-control procedure and include information about each control point’s magnitude and purpose.
Step 3 – Train your employees and conduct periodic inspections. OSHA requires proof of this training, and you can do this by establishing formal training programs for the three employee categories: authorized, affected and other. A third party or qualified employee also must conduct an audit at least annually to ensure inspections are effective. The employee must be a different person from the one who wrote the procedures.
Employees in the authorized category perform the maintenance work on equipment and use lockout procedures. Their training should include techniques to initially verify the zero-energy state and provide techniques for continual verification to ensure energy does not accumulate during the work duration. Training on specific procedures is not required for affected and other employees, but they do need to be aware of energy-control policies and proper use of lockout/tagout devices.
Step 4 – Equip your employees with the proper lockout tools and warning devices. A successful lockout program depends on employees properly applying hardware according to established procedures. A lockout device provider can offer a detailed list of required products specific to your facility and personnel.
For more information on workplace safety issues, call Jason Bandermann, MBA, referral services manager, at 573-331-5825.