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NIOSH Publication No. 2004-136:Work-related Roadway CrashesPrevention Strategies for Employers |
March 2004 |
Roadway
crashes are the leading cause of occupational
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Between 1992 and 2001, 13,337 civilian workers died in roadway crashes, an average of 4 deaths each day. Roadway crashes led all other causes, making up 22% of workplace deaths, compared with 13% from homicide and 10% from falls (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries). In 2000, lost wages and benefits for crash victims (occupational and non-occupational) were $61 billion. Costs to employers due to the loss or absence of an employee from work accounted for $4.6 billion more (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). For employers and victims, a workplace crash can have far-reaching financial, medical, and legal consequences. |
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Who is at risk? – Anyone who operates a motor vehicle as part of his or her job is at risk of being involved in a roadway crash. In 2001, nearly 4.2 million U.S. workers were motor vehicle operators; 73% were truck drivers. Roadway crashes are by far the leading cause of death for transport workers. Millions of other workers who are not full-time professional drivers operate company or personal vehicles for deliveries, sales and repair calls, client visits, and many other tasks. Roadway crashes are also the leading cause of death for workers in clerical and professional specialty jobs, and the second leading cause for executives, sales workers, and technicians. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries) |
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Actions
of other motorists may cause work-related crashes |
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During
a non-emergency medical transport, a 26-year-old emergency medical
technician (EMT) died when the ambulance she was in was struck head-on
by a pickup truck traveling in excess of 70 miles per hour in the
wrong lane of a two-lane roadway. Attending a patient, the EMT was
unrestrained when the incident occurred. The EMT struck the front
bulkhead and died of head and chest injuries en route to the hospital.
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Unlike other workplaces, the roadway is not a closed environment. Preventing work-related roadway crashes requires strategies that combine traffic safety principles and sound safety management practices. Although employers cannot control roadway conditions, they can promote safe driving behavior by providing safety information to workers and by setting and enforcing driver safety policies. Crashes are not an unavoidable part of doing business. Employers can take steps to protect their employees and their companies:
Policies
Fleet Management
Safety Programs
Driver Performance
Types of vehicles occupied by victims:
Event and worker characteristics:
Industries in which victims were employed:
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Unsafe
driving and lack of employer enforcement of safety policies may
contribute to fatal work-related crashes |
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A 45-year-old salesperson was killed
in a motor-vehicle incident while traveling to meet with clients.
The victim had worked for the company for six years and was reimbursed
for mileage and other costs associated with the use of his personal
vehicle for work-related driving. Traveling in excess of 90 miles
per hour along an interstate highway, he lost control of his car
and was ejected when the vehicle became airborne and rolled two
and a half times. The victim, who was not wearing a seatbelt,
died at the scene. In the previous 14 months, he had been involved
in another motor-vehicle incident and had committed three other
speeding violations.
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NIOSH
Hazard Review: Work-Related Roadway Crashes DHHS [NIOSH] Publication No. 2003-119 www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-119/pdfs/2003-119.pdf |
Work-related Roadway Crashes provides detailed statistics on workplace crashes; a review of safety regulations that affect workplace driving; information on special topics such as driver fatigue, cell phone use, and age factors; and recommendations for prevention of work-related crashes. To receive copies of the NIOSH Hazard Review, copies of this Fact Sheet, or additional information, please visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh or contact us by phone at: 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) |
NIOSH—Motor Vehicles:
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/motorvehicle/
Federal Highway Administration:
www.fhwa.dot.gov
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations:
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/49cfrv4_02.html#301/
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards:
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/49cfrv5_02.html#501
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety:
www.trafficsafety.org
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
www.hwysafety.org
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:
www.aaafoundation.org/home/
*Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. In addition, citations to Web sites do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites.
Work-related Roadway Crashes |
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Related Resources NIOSH Hazard Review:Work-Related Roadway Crashes Fact Sheet - Work-related Roadway Crashes; Who's at Risk? Fact Sheet - Older Drivers in the Workplace, Crash Prevention for Employers and Workers |
On this page: General Information |
This document is also available in PDF format. 2004-136.pdf |