Driving is a privilege. A driver’s license gives you a certain level of freedom, but it also gives you an enormous amount of responsibility. Driving is the fourth leading cause of nonfatal injury and number one cause of unintentional workplace deaths in the United States.
Roofers spend a lot of time driving to and from jobsites. Often these jobsites are in unfamiliar areas giving the driver distractions. Below is a list of unsafe acts that are often performed behind the wheel. They may seem basic and obvious, but are things you should consider every time you step foot in a vehicle.
Unsafe acts behind the wheel:
- Failing to stop or yield
- Tailgating
- Excessive speed
- Not paying attention to road conditions
- Being distracted while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Road rage
Unsafe Conditions:
- Poor visibility
- Icy and slippery road conditions
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Wildlife, such as deer crossing the road
It may appear that sometimes other drivers are not using their heads or considering the results of their actions. Ensure that your equipment is secured. Whether it is ladders or something else, make sure that you do not pose a hazard to others on the road. Proper vehicle maintenance is essential when providing employees with company trucks – remember that your company vehicle represents your company – safe or otherwise!
What you can do:
- Obey speed limits.
- Stop at stoplights and stop signs
- Yield to right-of-way appropriately
- Use turn signals
- Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- When driving on a road that is new to you scan the road from left to right
- Follow other drivers at a safe distance (2-4 seconds ahead of you)
- Know your vehicle’s safety features.
In the next post we will discuss Slips, Trips, and Falls.
