NIOSH Co-hosts Motor Vehicle Safety Webinar

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.