OSHA, U.S. transportation dept. to combat distracted driving on the job

September 21, 2010—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation to combat distracted driving on the job.

Car accidents are the leading cause of worker deaths, according to U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

OSHA’s initiative against distracted driving includes:

• An education campaign for employers during Drive Safely Work Week in October;
• An open letter to employers to encourage their employees to drive safely to work, which can be found at OSHA’s website;
• An alliance with the National Safety Council and other key organizations as outreach to employers;
• A special emphasis on reaching out to younger workers;
• An investigation in necessary fields of employers that require immediate response to phone calls or texts, which may interfere with safe driving practices.

"It is imperative that employers eliminate financial and other incentives that encourage workers to text while driving," said Solis, who announced the partnership on Tuesday. "It is well recognized that texting while driving dramatically increases the risk of a motor vehicle injury or fatality."

For more information, go to dol.gov.