NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only.
NIOSH Update:Ways to Prevent Job-Related Roadway Deaths, Critical Research Areas Identified by NIOSH |
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Contact: Fred Blosser (202) 401-3749 Employers, employees, and others can take practical measures to prevent work-related roadway deaths while research continues in areas that are critical for further progress, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends in a new report. "NIOSH Hazard Review: Work-Related Roadway CrashesChallenges and Opportunities for Prevention" provides in-depth data, analysis, and recommendations for preventing the leading cause of job-related fatalities. Employee deaths in roadway crashes increased by 18.7 percent from 1992 to 2000, totaling 11,952 over the nine-year period. The burden of fatalities and injuries is not limited to full-time professional drivers such as long-haul truckers. Other employees who operate company-owned vehicles over shorter trips and employees who drive personal vehicles on the job also are at risk. Preventive measures that can save lives include these, NIOSH recommends: Employers should:
Employees should:
Transportation planners and traffic engineers should:
The new Hazard Review, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-119, is the latest of several NIOSH reports to advance the prevention of work-related motor vehicle deaths and injuries. The Hazard Review is available by calling toll-free 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) or from the web at www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-119/. Additional information on preventing work-related motor vehicle deaths and injuries is available on the web at www.cdc.gov/niosh/injury/traumamv.html. NIOSH is partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO) and others to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries. On April 7, 2004, WHO will sponsor "World Health Day 2004: Road Safety," which will mark the beginning of a one-year global road safety campaign. Further information on World Health Day 2004: Road Safety is available at www.who.int/world-health-day/2004/en/. |