NIOSH Co-hosts Motor Vehicle Safety Webinar
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Earlier this month, the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety, together with the Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research, hosted a webinar on Occupational Research in Motor Vehicle Safety. The webinar grew out of interest generated at the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, and featured presentations on organizational-level approaches to improving work-related road safety, a field study of the effectiveness of in-vehicle monitoring systems (IVMS) in reducing risky driving behaviors, and use of statewide data to examine occupational injuries to truck drivers. As a follow up, we are including some of the discussion from the question-and-answer section below. You can still watch the webinar at the link above and submit your questions though this blog via the comment section below.
Occupational Research in Motor Vehicle Safety Webinar Discussion:
What tips can employers use to incorporate IVMS technology in their own companies?
Dr. Jennifer Bell from NIOSH recommended that employers develop a rollout plan that includes advance communication to all stakeholders. She suggested using new safety policies to reinforce those already in place in conjunction with the rollout, instead of instituting new policies.
Is it critical that one-on-one driver coaching be done by the supervisor?
Dr. Sharon Newnam from the Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia, advised that leadership practices of direct supervisors are instrumental in creating the right context to engage with drivers and create a more sustainable safety culture within an organization.
What are some effective strategies for communicating research findings to trucking companies and drivers?
Dr. Terry Bunn from the University of Kentucky Injury Prevention Research Center explained the value of forming partnerships and relationships with individual trucking companies, particularly for understanding what are their information needs. She believes these groups are good resources for reviewing content to ensure that recommendations are feasible and practical.
Let us know what work-related motor vehicle safety topics you would like to see covered in future webinars or if you are interested in partnering with us to develop future webinars. If your organization is interested please contact Stephanie Pratt at: sgp2@cdc.gov. The NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety coordinates research and outreach across the Institute to prevent motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of work-related fatalities among U.S. workers. Follow @NIOSH_MVSafety on Twitter to stay connected to the Center and subscribe to the new NIOSH CMVS eNewsletter, Behind the Wheel at Work, to receive quarterly research updates and practical tips for employers.
Rebecca Olsavsky,MS and Stephanie Pratt, PhD
Rebecca Olsavsky, MS is a Health Communications Specialist Fellow in the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety, and is based in the NIOSH Division of Safety Research.
Stephanie Pratt, PhD, is Coordinator of the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety, and is based in the NIOSH Division of Safety Research.
6 comments on “NIOSH Co-hosts Motor Vehicle Safety Webinar”
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Why are NIOSH (and OSHA) silent on drowsy driving and hours of service?
There’s a vacuum for workers who are not full time drivers, or are out of the FMCS orbit, who have been on duty for something else and then have to drive. When I was Director of the UAW H&S Department, I told my guys to park it, if they were on the road after plant inspections or negotiations, UAW could pay the hotel. ” A driver may drive only during a period of 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. The driver may not drive after the end of the 14-consecutive-hour period without first taking 10 consecutive hours off duty.” Not sure these are protective enough, but they are a start which should apply to all jobs.
Employers drug test employees in safety sensitive jobs, which not sleep test them as well.
Thank you for your comment. Policies that address drowsy driving are important to include in a motor vehicle safety program for the workplace, and for all workers – not just those who are covered by the hours-of-service regulations. NIOSH offers two resources that contain recommendations to prevent drowsy driving: Preventing work-related motor vehicle crashes and Quick sleep tips for truck drivers. Over the years, scientific input from NIOSH has contributed to revisions of the FMCSA hours-of-service regulations. Currently, we are working with partners across a range of industries who have expressed concerns similar to those you’ve raised. The strategy you mention, offering workers who are fatigued the option to stop driving, is a best practice that has been put in place by many of our partners and is something we recommend in Preventing work-related motor vehicle crashes. Other best practices along these lines are to provide transportation to and from remote work locations, and hotel accommodations for workers who work extended shifts – particularly those who finish a work rotation with a night shift.
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